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Chelsea fail to break down stubborn West Ham United

Chelsea drop points in the title race following a 0-0 draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have lost ground on Manchester City following a goalless draw with West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

In a tight first half, Chelsea created more opportunities but West Ham made life difficult for the title contenders by offering their creative players very little freedom.

Oscar came closest early on for the hosts when he targeted the top corner from the edge of the box but Adrian reacted well to tip the ball to safety.

West Ham's goalkeeper was called into action just before the break to deny John Terry, who had lost his marker but failed to find the net with a header.

The Hammers missed a good opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when Stewart Downing curled a cross into the path of Andy Carroll but the striker missed the ball completely in the box to the relief of the Chelsea defence.

Hazard was inches away from finding the opening goal in the 67th minute but his drilled effort drifted just wide of Adrian's post.

The visitors dropped deeper to defend late on but they continued to make crucial blocks to frustrate the home supporters and Jose Mourinho.

West Ham were forced to desperately hang on for a draw in the closing stages as both Hazard and Frank Lampard came close to scoring a dramatic winner for the hosts in stoppage time before the referee blew the final whistle.

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West Ham's Kevin Nolan and Chelsea's Eden Hazard in action during their Premier League match on January 29, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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