Mateja Kezman finally broke his Chelsea goal duck with the winner against a spirited West Ham in the Carling Cup.
The striker was making his 13th outing for Chelsea and he arrowed in a second half shot past keeper James Walker.
The Serbian, who had to be treated for a head injury
caused by an object thrown by a fan, missed a succession of good
chances before his goal.
Walker saved a Frank Lampard penalty late on while an Anton Ferdinand header hit the bar for the Hammers.
FA probes Stamford Bridge violence
Chelsea had looked ominously dangerous in the pouring
rain at Stamford Bridge and Cole was particularly bright against his
former club.
But he and his Stamford Bridge team-mates were being continually thwarted by Walker.
He was quickly called into action when he pulled off an
excellent save to keep out a Kezman shot which was deflected off Hayden
Mullins.
Walker did well to gather a Cole shot soon after and
then watched as Geremi blazed a shot over his bar after Arjen Robben
had found the midfielder with a cut back.
West Ham had survived Chelsea's opening assault and were starting to grow in confidence as the game progressed.
Adam Nowland struck a true shot for the visitors but was
just over before a mix-up in the Hammers defence allowed Cole a shot on
goal which Walker again saved.
At the other end, Nigel Reo-Coker worked himself into a
promising position only to see a strike blocked by William Gallas when
he might have squared a pass to better placed to team-mates.
At last Kezman scores- let's hope that's the first of many
From BD, Chelsea fan
Round melee 0
WestHamSean 0
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