Chelsea consolidate EPL lead with 2-1 win over West Ham

Chelsea consolidated their 10-point lead at the top of the English Premier League (EPL) with a 2-1 victory in a London football derby against West Ham United at the London Stadium here.

Monday's win for Chelsea was built on goals from forwards Eden Hazard (25th minute) and Diego Costa (50th) – latter's 17th of the season – and smothering defence, reports Efe.

Manuel Lanzini scored West Ham's solo goal in the 90+2 minute but Chelsea were hardly troubled to pocket three points that swelled their tally to 66 from 27 matches, 10 ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Playing in front of nearly 57,000 spectators at London's Olympic Stadium, West Ham, who have struggled with inconsistency this season, got off to an encouraging start.

Despite dominating possession, the hosts posed no serious threat to the Chelsea and it was an offensive giveaway that set up the Blues' first goal.

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante intercepted a poor pass from Mark Noble and released a speeding Hazard, who worked an exchange with fellow forward Pedro Rodriguez before beating West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph to make it 1-0 for the visitors in the 26th minute.

The hosts' only opportunity of the first half came with five minutes left until the break, when Lanzini's shot sailed over the net, while only a fine stop by Randolph prevented Chelsea taking a 2-0 lead before half-time on a strike from Pedro.

The second goal arrived just five minutes after the restart, courtesy of Costa, who took advantage after a pair of West Ham players collided while trying to repel Cesc Fabregas' corner kick.