Chelsea 4 West Ham 1

Scott Parker's superb equaliser proved to be the only bright spot on an otherwise difficult afternoon in West London.

Manager Gianfranco Zola opted for a conservative 4-5-1 formation but failing to do the basics of defending - closing down opponents, for one thing - meant the tactical approach was nullified from the start.

It was West Ham's misfortune to come across Chelsea winger Florent Malouda in outstanding form, but the failure of stand-in right back Jon Spector to pose any kind of barrier for the Frenchman proved decisive as he set up two goals and scored one.

Chelsea started brightly and fashioned a couple of early chances but it was West Ham who almost snatched the lead on 13 minutes.

Spector, finding himself in the Chelsea box rather than his own, robbed Paulo Ferreira before slipping the ball to Mido.

The Egyptian squared it to Ilan, just 12 yards out, but the Brazilian striker blazed the ball over when he should have scored.

It proved costly as three minutes later Alex gave Chelsea the lead.

The Hammers failed to clear a corner and Malouda was allowed all the time in the world to swing in an inviting cross for the Brazilian defender to power home a header from six yards, with no West Ham defender within touching distance of him.

It looked ominous for the visitors, with Chelsea sensing the Irons were there for the taking.

They almost doubled their lead a minute later when Fabio Daprela headed clear from under his own crossbar after Rob Green - who endured a mixed afternoon - did well to tip a the ball away as it looped goalward.

Chelsea continued to threaten, without ever quite clicking before, quite out of the blue, West Ham levelled the game on the half hour.

Kieron Dyer took a throw-in midway inside the Chelsea half. The ball fell to Parker some 25 yards out and the midfielder unleashed a ferocious half volley that dipped over Ross Turnbull to billow the net.

The goal served to settle the Irons, although Chelsea continued to press, with Frank Lampard and Malouda both bringing saves from Green.

But the decisive goal came 11 minutes into the second half.

Malouda was again allowed the freedom of the left flank to deliver a teasing cross which the onrushing Didier Drogba converted with his head from a couple of yards.

It was all Chelsea from then on, with Green producing an outstanding save to deny Alex adding another headed goal.

The introduction of Carlton Cole for the ineffective Mido perked up the Hammers forward line, although the England man, who had struggled with a knee problem during the week, got little change from the resolute Chelsea back line.

Malouda made the points safe, and capped a fine personal performance, when he scored on 77 minutes. He collected the ball midway inside the West Ham half and drove forward unchallenged to plant a low shot past Green's despairing dive.

Chelsea almost added another four minutes from time when Lampard hit the post, before Drogba did indeed make it 4-1 when he slotted home from six yards after Green could only parry a Lampard shot.

Although well beaten West Ham did rally to produce a rare effort in injury time, when Radoslav Kovac tested Turnbull from 12 yards, but any goal at that point would have flattered the visitors.

Zola was phlegmatic about the heavy defeat against his former club and defended his negative formation.

He said: "It was okay for 60 or 65 minutes but then it was more difficult. It's always a pleasure to come back but when you lose in this way it is hard and painful for me.

"A couple of the choices I made were generated by the way I saw the team training this week. I really pay attention to how the players train, their form and condition, and then I make my choices."

He will need more choices, particularly at the back, if his side are to avoid a similar defeat when they visit Arsenal this Saturday.

Chelsea: Turnbull, Ivanovic (Zhirkov, 80), Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda (Kalou, 87), Anelka (Cole, 66). Unused subs: Taylor, Deco, Sturridge, Bruma.

Goals: Alex 16, Drogba 56, 90, Malouda 77

West Ham: Green, Spector, Daprela, Upson, Gabbidon, Parker, Kovac, Behrami, Dyer (Stanislas, 67), Ilan (Diamanti, 84), Mido (Cole, 67). Unused subs: Stech, McCarthy, Tomkins, Collison.

Booked: Mido

Goal: Parker 30

Attendance: 41,755

Referee: Mark Clattenburg