Substitute Javier Hernandez netted a late equaliser as West Ham United held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the London derby on Sunday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

There was little goalmouth action to speak of in a first-half which saw the home side dominate possession stakes ,but they were largely left frustrated by resolute defending by the Hammers, coupled with good goalkeeping by Joe Hart

West Ham’s best chance of the half fell to Marko Arnautović in the 15th minute when Arthur Masuaku’s defence-splitting ball found the Austrian in the area, but he took a touch too much and was eventually dispossessed.

Scrappy defending from West Ham saw Chelsea take the lead in the 36th minute after defender César Azpicuelleta reacted quickest to Willian’s ball into the area to slot home.

The home side started the second half like a house on fire and should have doubled their lead after 52 minutes but Marcos Alonso’s whipped ball into the area was not capitalised on by Alvaro Morata or Willian.

Morata missed another golden opportunity minutes later when he rose highest to meet Willian’s corner, but the Spaniard’s header was too high.

Morata eventually had the ball in the back of the net in the 57th minute, however the former Real Madrid man was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

Substitute Javier Hernandez added to his rep of scoring against Chelsea when the Mexican latched onto Arnautović’s cutback in the area to rifle an effort into the back of the net.

N’Golo Kanté denied Arnautović the winner in the 86th minute when his last-ditch tackle denied the striker who did well to evade the attention of defender Gary Cahill.

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za