West Ham United have ended Chelsea’s 100 per cent start to the new Premier League by holding the Blues to a goalless draw in Sunday’s clash at the London Stadium.
Both sides squandered a number of clear-cut opportunities in a competitive clash, with West Ham deserving to earn a share of the spoils against their city rivals.
The Hammers remain in 17th place in the top-flight standings, while Chelsea are third and now sit two points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Both teams started brightly but the first opportunity of the game went to Chelsea, with Olivier Giroud miscuing a volley from 12 yards after running onto an outswinging corner from Willian.
Antonio Rudiger then tried his luck from 30 yards but only fired straight at Lukasz Fabianski but for all of their pressure, the Blues were struggling to create clear-cut chances with West Ham content to sit deep and wait to launch counter-attacks.
West Ham’s show of intent rattled Chelsea and led to the Blues taking a backwards step, but the visitors could have gone in front just before the half-time whistle only for N’Golo Kante to head a Willian cross just wide of the far post.
Chelsea should have gone in front shortly afterwards when David Luiz lost Declan Rice at a corner, but the Brazilian sent a free header high over Fabianski’s crossbar.
Willian also squandered a late chance from close range, and it left Chelsea having to make do with just a point against a West Ham side who are showing signs of improvement under Manuel Pellegrini.