For years Javier Hernandez was the super-sub at Manchester United, and one who often hurt Chelsea, and so it proved again as the striker came off the bench to earn West Ham United a precious point in their battle against Premier League relegation. It also ended, if there was any hope left, Chelsea’s Champions League chances.
It was David Moyes, when he was United manager, who eventually sold Hernandez and he inherited him at West Ham where the Mexican has struggled to make the starting line-up. But there was an unerring certainty when he met a Marko Arnautovic cut-back to sweep the ball home in what was effectively his first touch.
“It doesn’t matter what the result, Chica’s going to score,” Hernandez, known as ‘Chicharito’, later said before adding: “I am joking.” Even so the 29-year-old has, extraordinarily, scored in no fewer than six matches after coming on as a substitute against Chelsea and, furthermore, has scored against them in every competition from the Community Shield to the Champions League.
But it was no laughing matter for the deposed champions whose head coach, Antonio Conte, did not conceal his boiling frustration as his side slipped 10 points behind the top four in what has been a dismal and damning run.
The top four is over. And, soon, it seems, will be Conte’s career at Chelsea and the Italian spoke like a man whose time at the club is spent. “We must improve but, this season, I’m repeating this many times and I’m getting bored. You’re listening always to the same: not clinical,” he said.
Chelsea host London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge bidding to keep their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive with victory.
Antonio Conte's Blues are in fifth place, 11 points off Tottenham in fourth after last weekend's 3-1 loss to the north Londoners. West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League table.
Follow all the action LIVE with me, Sportsmail's ROBERT COTTINGHAM. Kick-off is at 4.30pm with team news expected an hour before.
For those of you using the mobile app - CLICK HERE to follow the updates.
