Chelsea edged home in this absorbing London derby, with West Ham paying the price for not being more decisive in front of goal.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho declared that a game at West Ham was not what his side needed after the emotional drain of the League Cup final win on Sunday.

“The final was more than a game, there were the tensions and emotions. West Ham was not the best game to play after the final,” said Mourinho, who complimented the home team, saying they are “the best team playing the (direct) way they play.”

The Chelsea manager then waxed lyrical about the different sort of games that need to be endured in the title race, some where you get the luck. “In the end, in this game we had to defend with everything,” said Mourinho.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt the Chelsea goal scored by Eden Hazard was offside by six inches. He recalled that a goal from Kevin Nolan at Manchester United earlier in the season had been ruled out for offside because half an inch of his nose was offside.

“It was a fantastic performance, we were disappointed not to bounce back,” said Allardyce, who declared it unusual for his side not to score at home. “We need to pick ourselves up, keep playing like that and we’ll start winning again,” said Allardyce.

The game started with Chelsea in confident mood, knocking the ball around and making space for Hazard and striker Diego Costa to get in behind the West Ham defenders. Costa spurned a great chance in the sixth minute firing over on the six yard line.

The game was flowing from end to end, which made it such good entertainment for the spectators. Chelsea broke the deadlock though in the 21st minute when Ramires got away on the right to cross for the incoming Hazard to head home.

West Ham built up the pressure with Sakho missing several decent chances but equally Chelsea could have scored three or four had the luck and better finishing run with them.

Costa was away closing in on goal, prior to an excellent last ditch tackle from Carl Jenkinson stopping him in his tracks.

Ten minutes into the second half Hazard returned the favour to Ramires putting him through but the midfielder’s shot hit the post and bounced kindly back into Adrian’s arms.

The goalkeeper then made a great save with his legs away to his left from the same player. Late on in injury time substitute Willian was thwarted on the line by Aaron Creswell.

Sakho had two headers saved by Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois then failed to put away the ball when the keeper spilled it after a rasping shot from Enner Valencia.

An exciting game, conjured by two teams playing distinctly different styles of football.