West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea

Chelsea were controversially denied a late penalty as they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium to abandon their top four hopes.

Conor Gallagher’s low shot struck the arm of Tomas Soucek as the West Ham midfielder crossed in an attempt to make a block in the 88th minute, but referee Craig Pawson dismissed the appeal and there was no intervention from VAR.

Earlier, Graham Potter’s new side had started strongly and looked set to punish the hosts on the evening when January signings Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix combined for Chelsea’s first goals (16) on their return from suspension.

But West Ham weathered the early storm and capitalized on poor Chelsea defending when Jarrod Bowen touched down Vladimir Coufal’s cross, allowing the unmarked Emerson to head home at the far post (28) against his former team.

Chelsea, held to a goalless draw in their previous two games, once again struggled to break down their opponents after that and West Ham thought they had won at the end when Tomas Soucek scored from close range, only for VAR to rule out offside.

But the biggest flashpoint was yet to come as Chelsea were denied a penalty even though Gallagher’s effort, struck from the corner of the box, clearly struck Soucek’s hand.

The draw leaves the Blues in ninth place, nine points behind fourth-placed Newcastle, and increases the pressure on Potter. West Ham, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions in 15th place.

How frustrated Chelsea

Chelsea went into the game having failed to score over three hours of Premier League action but looked to have finally clicked in the early stages at the London Stadium.

In fact, Felix had already caught the ball in the net once before the opener, as an effort was ruled out for offside as he ran into a through ball after West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Paqueta was substituted for Soucek and Chelsea’s breakthrough came after a change was made, Felix finding time and space to convert from Fernandez’s cross.

Chelsea looked to be making a run at the moment, their forward line of Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and newcomers Kai Havertz combining dangerously as Fernandez pulled the strings from the center of midfield.

Havertz had another goal ruled out for offside after a smart finish from Mudryk’s pass, but West Ham continued to follow and then punished Chelsea for slack in defense when Emerson popped up at the far post to score for his former club.

West Ham had gone close moments earlier when Michail Antonio’s effort from Bowen’s cross was blocked by Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Chelsea then created several more chances before the break, with Madueke forcing a save from Lukasz Fabianski.

However, instead of picking up where he left off, Chelsea’s attacking threat was gone, Felix was unable to replicate his first-half performance and West Ham stepped up.

Potter’s side created a couple of half-chances, with Reece James’ free-kick flashing wide over Antonio’s head, and Havertz heading wide from the center by substitute Ben Chilwell.

But West Ham held firm and the London Stadium erupted in celebration as Soucek collected a free-kick after Declan Rice’s initial effort was saved, only for a lengthy VAR review to rule the goal out for offside.

There was no VAR check for Chelsea, but when Gallagher’s effort struck Soucek’s hand, referee Pawson continued to play and forced Potter and his players to settle back down.

What’s next?

West Ham have another London derby next weekend when they visit Tottenham Friday, February 19; kick-off 16.30, live on Sky Sports.

Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday February 15 – kick-off 8pm – before they host. Southampton back in the Premier League on February 18; kick-off at 3pm.