West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted that he was a bit disappointed that his side did not beat Chelsea yesterday, the club’s official website reports.
Chelsea visited the London Stadium, having won all five of their previous Premier League games. But the Hammers held them to a 0-0 draw and had a few chances to win the game.
West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea dominated the possession in East London but West Ham arguably had the better chances.
In the first half, Michail Antonio found himself through on goal but fired over. Moments later, Andriy Yarmolenko set Antonio up but his close-range shot was blocked by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The visitors were limited to long-range efforts and did not test Lukasz Fabianski. But in the second half, they forced the Poland international into action.
Alvaro Morata had only just come on when the ball bounced to him yards out. He poked it goalwards but Fabianski spread himself well and made a block with his face.
At the death, Ross Barkley nearly won it with a long-range strike, only for Fabianski to push it out for a corner.
Mixed emotions for Pellegrini
Although Pellegrini was pleased to take a draw, he did also admit frustration at not picking up all three points.
West Ham had the chances to win the game and Pellegrini knows that his team needs to be more clinical.
He told the post-match press conference (quotes via whufc.com): “Football is like that. If you don’t score the chances you have, you don’t win, but I am happy with the team and happy because we are working for every ball.
“Maybe I’d have preferred it if we had had more possession, but we created some chances. I think that was a good tactical game and, if you don’t get the win, at least don’t lose it.
“I’m happy because we prepared for the game and the way we prepared, we did it.”
Pellegrini also noted the fact that West Ham had the better opportunities to claim the victory.
He added: “I always want to win and, when you have some clear chances, you are never happy not to win the game. I repeat it seemed that they had a lot of possession but without any danger near our box.
“You must score your chances so, I repeat, I’m not happy that we didn’t win, but I am happy because the format was good and we kept a clean sheet and, I repeat, if you can’t win, then you have to draw.”
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