The Independent
"It was a miserable day for Frank Lampard, who watched on as the Hammers grabbed their first Premier League win at Stamford Bridge in 17 years," writes Jack Rathborn for the Independent. "Lampard was unable to find a solution in the absence of the injured Tammy Abraham either, which threatens to develop into a worrying issue in the coming weeks.
"The Hammers faithful in the Shed End initially only stopped tormenting their former player with ironic cheers each time third choice goalkeeper Martin, son of Hammers legend Alvin, gathered the ball.
"Cries of "England’s No 1” greeted the 33-year-old, who did not have to be incredible to provide a significant boost to Manuel Pellegrini's side through a combination of Chelsea’s lack of imagination in the final third and the low bar set by the hapless Roberto."
The Guardian
"Chelsea were increasingly muted, their attacks disrupted either by resolute defending or by the clumsy touches of their centre-forward," writes Barney Ronay for the Guardian. "Towards half-time Martin produced an agile triple save from Mateo Kovacic’s shot and a couple of close rebounds, one from his own fumble. "England’s Number One," sang the West Ham fans.
"Giroud was then unable to finish right in front of goal, fooled by a last-ditch deflection on James's fine cross.
"Lampard clenched his fists with frustration as the half-time whistle blew and two minutes after the break West Ham took the lead.
"It was a brilliant finish from Cresswell, who ran on to Pablo Fornals’ pass, cut inside James with chastening ease, then snapped a low, hard right-foot shot into the far corner, hit so sweetly it was always out of Arrizabalaga’s reach.
"West Ham might have had another just before the hour, Arrizabalaga saving well from Victor Ogbonna’s header direct from a corner.
"Lampard sent for the slightly weary cavalry, throwing on Willian and Kanté with 28 minutes remaining. A little later Callum Hudson-Odoi replaced Giroud as Chelsea finished the game pressing hard but with no real sense of incision."
The Telegraph
"Frank Lampard who made five changes himself from the side that faced Valencia on Wednesday night and was left wondering once again whether this squad has the necessary depth," writes Sam Wallace for the Telegraph.
"He said later that he still believed it did but it was hard to ignore the fact that he brought two World Cup winners into the team and neither Olivier Giroud nor Pedro looked up to the standard required.
"By the end of the game both had been substituted and Lampard had switched to a deep-lying centre-forward with Christian Pulisic trying to occupy the West Ham centre-backs Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena who both coped comfortably with aimless crossing into the box.
"Willian and N’Golo Kante, second half substitutes, gave Chelsea a much greater level of control and yet getting the equaliser was beyond them."
Daily Mail
"With Tammy Abraham sidelined by a hip injury, Frank Lampard decided against starting Michy Batshuayi, the striker affectionately known as Batman. Instead he fielded the Invisible Man," writes Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail.
"Olivier Giroud, on his first start in any competition since August 18, led the line for Chelsea – or so the team sheet claimed. This was not a noteworthy performance from the Frenchman.
"In the first half, he touched the ball 13 times, and twice in the opposition box. Cross after cross from Reece James evaded the head of Chelsea's centre forward.
"If this was Lampard putting Giroud in the shop window before the January sales, then not many potential suitors will have been left impressed by his efforts."
