Mickey Ambrose was among the revellers on a day that West Ham fans will always remember.
There were incredible, exhilarating scenes inside and outside the Queen Elizabeth Olympic stadium and Stratford Centre after West Ham defeated Chelsea and knocked them off the top of the premier league.
Things were calmer after a sobering 2-0 loss to Arsenal, but it was a day and night to remember after the Chelsea game with fans celebrating in bars, pubs, and fast-food restaurant chains, in great high spirits – one fan even stopped me to ask where he could get some pie ‘n mash. Alas none to be found in Stratford.
David Moyes, the West Ham boss who spent 11 years as manager of Everton is an unassuming type who performed miracles on Merseyside, but got a rough ride as manager of Manchester United. Now at West Ham the team are flying because he has instilled belief into his players. Moyes is ‘pure class’. The fans are in Winter Wonderland at the moment; would you Adam and Eve it?
There were the usual flashes of class though from Chelsea, but none of their trademark control. Slumped in his seat on the bench, Thomas Tuchel could not believe what he was watching. Chelsea’s defence had been pushed to the limit by West Ham and, by the end of a barmy encounter, he must have been wondering if his team have what it takes to outlast Manchester City and Liverpool.
Twice Chelsea led; and twice they were pegged back because of sloppy defending. West Ham were immense. Declan Rice was imperious, Jarrod Bowen’s endeavour was rewarded with a fine goal and it summed up a wildly entertaining game when Arthur Masuaku sent a fluke winner past Édouard Mendy, who had handed West Ham their first equaliser by conceding a foolish penalty.
Chelsea, who have won two of their last five league games, could have few complaints. Although Mason Mount scored a stunner on the stroke of half-time, too many of Tuchel’s players were below par. There were jittery displays in central defence from Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rüdiger, who could not contain Michail Antonio, and the other worry for Tuchel is that Chelsea did not create much, even after introducing Romelu Lukaku for the injured Kai Havertz at half-time.
West Ham are a resilient side who fought for everything. They were built in the image of their manager Moyes, who continues to make a mockery of claims that he was past his best. West Ham have progressed at an astonishing rate having seen off Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season their push for Champions League qualification has even more momentum after beating the European champions.
Mickey Ambrose is former Charlton and Chelsea player.
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