It may have been West Ham United substitute Javier Hernandez who grabbed the headlines, scoring the goal that earned his side an unlikely point for his side in absorbing London derby, but Joe Hart may have secured his place in England's World Cup squad with an excellent performance.
England national team assistant coach Steve Holland was in attendance, and he may now be satisfied that Hart’s experience and ability in certain areas of the goalkeeping department is enough to see him travel with England to the World Cup in Russia as the third choice goalkeeper.
Gary Cahill, however, didn’t do himself any favours, and could be set to miss out due to his continued poor form this season.
David Moyes’ side had struggled to get into the game, but the one big chance they created was converted in the second half by the clinical Mexican, who had entered the fray just three minutes prior to his goal.
Chelsea have been written off when it comes to finishing in the top four this season, and today’s result may be an indication as to why. They remain eight points behind Spurs who currently occupy that final Champions League spot.
However, there was no sign of a lack of passion when Cesar Azpilicueta scored the opening goal. The Spaniard, who has consistently been one of the best defenders in the Premier League since his arrival in 2012, scored just his 5th league goal for club.
He dedicated his rare strike to Ray Wilkins, kissing the badge before being joined by his Chelsea team-mates, pointing to the black armband on his sleeve once he emerged from the pile of celebrating blue shirts.
It seemed fitting that a Chelsea servant of Azpilicueta’s ilk should score what seemed like such a special goal after Wilkins’ passing last week rocked the football world. Prior to the game the 28-year-old defender had said: “I think the way Ray supported and loved the club was fantastic and, as well as a minute’s applause, I think winning the game would be the best way to say thanks to him and his family for everything he has done for Chelsea.”
They were unable to get the win, but it was nevertheless a fitting tribute to the man who was appreciated by all before kickoff, as he has been at each game this weekend. There were numerous half chances in the first half, with most falling to the home side, even though Marko Arnautovic came close for West Ham following Arthur Masuaku’s long diagonal ball.
Eden Hazard was as lively as usual, and after one of his trademark jinking runs into the danger area, he sent a shot brushing past the outside of the post. Alvaro Morata had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside, while Willian had further shots on goal but missed the target each time.
The passing move prior to Chelsea’s opener deserved a goal itself. Cesc Fabregas drilled a ball into feet of Hazard who bounced the ball off Morata before playing in Willian.The Brazilian should have finished what would have been a great team goal, but instead was thwarted by a good save from England's most experienced goalkeeper.
But when Joe Hart needed his defenders to help him out in a bid to keep a clean sheet, they turned off.
A short corner was fed to Victor Moses, and the Nigerian whipped in a cross towards Morata. The Spaniard, outnumbered by West Ham defenders, did excellently to head the ball down into the danger area where his compatriot Azpilcueta was on hand to pick up the scraps.
There were a number of Hammers defenders in the vicinity, but they lost concentration at a vital moment, leaving Hart with no chance.
Moyes’ men had their first shot on target just after half-time when Arnautovic fired a shot from distance, but the game remained in Chelsea’s grasp until Hernandez’s introduction on the 70th minute.
While Azpilicueta’s defensive contributions are regularly excellent, Chelsea have struggled to find similar consistency alongside him.
Here it was an error from Cahill that presented West Ham with a rare opportunity to take a shot from inside the area.
Arnautovic collected the unnecessary, stray header from the English centre-back, and it just so happened that the right man to finish the job had recently come off the bench. Hernandez lurked, as he does, taking the Austrian’s pass before curling his shot around the desperate lunge from Cahill, to level the scores.
Hart was called into action again to maintain parity, saving from Marcos Alonso and Chelsea’s own striking attacking substitute, Olivier Giroud. It was an entertaining game in fitting with the occasion, with plenty of attacking and counter-attacking in the final stages. Neither side could claim all three points, but Moyes was definitely the happier of the two managers when the final whistle sounded and Joe Hart will have been delighted with his own performance.
Gareth Southgate will be pleased that his most experienced goalkeeper seems to be finding his form again and although he may not be going to Russia as England's number one, the England manager will be pleased to include a player of Hart's experience in his squad.
