Chelsea showed why many believe they are champions in waiting, delivering a cutthroat performance at the London Stadium tonight.
Conte's men almost prised West Ham open in the first thirty seconds, when from the kickoff, David Luiz launched a defence splitting pass that just eluded the control of Pedro.
But it was the Hammers who dominated possession in the opening exchanges, although they failed tofashion a clear sight of goal in the first 20 minutes. Andy Carroll was able to latch on to a floated Feghouli cross but in his attempts to generate any power, he clashed heads nastily with Victor Moses, forcing the England striker to the sidelines temporarily while medics stemmed the blood flow.
Bilic's men set themselves out to frustrate Chelsea by keeping the ball andworking it in to wide areas. Snodgrass and Feghouli, alongside the overlapping full-backs, peppered the Blues box, seeking to utilise their aerial weapon in Carroll. But the league leaders looked content to hit them on the counter, an avenue through which they ultimately broke the deadlock.
On 25 minutes,Kante picked off a Snodgrass pass after West Ham had flung bodies forward for a free-kick. The Frenchmanreleased Eden Hazard whocantered away as he found himself two-on-two with Pedro in support. A quick one-two with the Spaniard saw Hazard in on goal, where he used his pace to round Darren Randolph and slot in to an empty net.
It's 1-0 Chelsea! Eden Hazard finishes off a superb counter from the Blues! #WHUCHE
The rapid counter-attack epitomises Chelsea's killer instincts this season. They were second best for much of the first half - which was showcased through Conte's typical animated fury on the sideline -but they took the one opportunity the Hammers backline afforded them. The three pass counter-attack showed how ruthless the Blues can be.
West Ham showed signs of a fight back at the end of the half, with Lanzini blasting high over the bar from the edge of the box after a slick, one-touch passing move involving all of the Irons front four.
However,Chelsea should have gone two up just before the half. Jose Fonte stepped out from the West Ham backline and Gary Cahill slid it in behind him. Hazard latched on to the ball and squared it, but his cross was agonisinglybehindDiegoCosta. The ball ran in to the path of Victor Moses, but his shot was blocked by Aaron Cresswell. The rebound was then blasted in by Pedro but his effort was parried clear by Darren Randolph, before West Ham eventually scrambled it clear.
Just five minutes after the break, Chelsea effectively put the game to bed. Obiang inadvertently flicked a Fabregas corner in to the path of Diego Costa. The Brazilian didn't know much about it but the ball cannoned in off his knee from a yard out, giving the Blues an insurmountable two goal lead.
2-0! #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/vieKDT3tsh
West Ham felt aggrieved to have not been awarded a penalty after Fabregas appeared to lean in to a cross, but the ball struck his shoulder and was therefore deemed not to be a handball by referee Andre Marriner
The pace of the game then began to accelerate. Marcos Alonso launched a counter attack all by himself, as he swerved his way through lines of hapless Hammers, before his effort was eventually poked wide of Randolph's post
West Ham did have their chances. On the hour mark, a corner bounced around the area like a pinball before Feghouli lashed it goal bound. Victor Moses was fortuitously camped out on the goal line and was able to punt it clear. The ball came back in from Snodgrass, but Jose Fontecouldonlypower his header wide of the mark.
Two good chances for West Ham. First Moses blocks crucially on the line and then Fonte heads wide. #WHUCHE
65 minutes in, Hazard found himself in the West Ham penaltyarea. He slid the ball to Costa, who rolled Kouyate expertly, only to see his effort palmed brilliantlyaround the post by Darren Randolph. At this point,Chelsea looked totally in control.
West Ham were able to snatch a late consolation when, in the 92nd minute, Chelsea's backline crumbled in the face of Ayew's pace. The ball fell in to the path of Manuel Lanzini, who lashed home to give the few Hammers fan who were remaining something to cheer.
90+2: GOAL!
Ayew plays in @maanuulanzini10, who makes no mistake with the right-foot finish
[1-2] #COYI #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/XscgzCqWPc
Ultimately Chelsea constricted the match expertly and it petered out for a comfortable win for the West Londoners. They look focused and driven and it is hard to see anyone catching them in the final 11 games of the season.
West Ham: Randolph; Kouyate, Fonte, Reid (Byram, 64'), Cresswell; Noble (Fernandes, 77'), Obiang; Feghouli (Ayew, 64'), Snodgrass, Lanzini; Carroll
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, DavidLuiz, Cahill; Moses (Zouma, 76'), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro (Matic, 64'), Costa, Hazard (Willian, 74')