We left it late, but it was a further three points from a difficult game against West Ham today, with former Hammer Joe Cole the hero.

Cole, who had had a quiet game by his own standards, popped up to net the winner after 75 minutes to close the gap on those ahead of us in the league.

It was a frustrating game at times as both sides were guilty of committing too many fouls, and not creating enough chances.

Chelsea were still missing several key members, including Michael Essien whose suspension kicked in today following his red card at Derby.

The early exchanges were punctuated by a string of fouls from the visiting side, which broke up the play as Chelsea looked to attack and continue the type of play seen in Trondheim during the week.

The first sight of goal came in the ninth minute, when Didier Drogba received a pass from Kalou, and bent his shot just past Robert Green's far post.

This was one of only two notable actions of a quiet opening quarter to the game, West Ham's Matthew Etherington's yellow card for a tug on Belletti's shirt the other.

Carlo Cudicini, making his 200th Chelsea appearance, was having a quiet game in goal with neither Carlton Cole nor Luis Boa Morte making any headway against John Terry and Alex in the Blues backline.

He was called into action on the half-hour mark though as Nolberto Solano broke through and attempted to lift the ball into the net. Cudicini, back pedalling, just about had it covered as it dropped just over onto the roof of the net.

As the niggly atmosphere continued, so more players entered referee Howard Webb's book, as first Solano, and then our own Mikel and Salomon Kalou were guilty of overzealous challenges.

Still there was little in the way of goal action as both teams began to grow frustrated towards the end of the first half.

Boa Morte made it five bookings before the break when he upended Mikel, and that was it, and with a Drogba header the only shot on target so far.

The second half began promisingly though, as Bridge got into an advanced position, pulling back for Sidwell, whose goal bound shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Frank Lampard was next to go close, firing just wide as Green desperately dived across his goal. The game was beginning to warm up as the ball went from one end to the other. Carlton Cole went close for the visitors on his Stamford Bridge return.

The England goalkeeper was definitely the more worked of the two, as at the other end Cudicini turned provider with a long kick upfield for Kalou, who cut inside and shot, but a deflection made it easy pickings for Green.

His next task was somewhat harder, getting fingers to a Joe Cole cross before scurrying to divert the loose ball from the toes of Drogba, who was waiting to fire home.

Sensing his side lacked a cutting edge after their midweek exertions, Avram Grant opted to introduce Shaun Wright-Phillips, who had excelled at Rosenborg. The diminutive midfielder replaced Sidwell slotting in on the right of the midfield three.

Chelsea did create again, but the chance from open play fell to an unlikely source.

Lampard's shot was deflected into the West Ham area, where John Terry broke the offside trap but could not find the target as he stretched to volley goalwards.

It only took another two minutes for Chelsea to take the lead, as Joe Cole netted his second goal in four days.

A long clearance was flicked on by Drogba in the first instance, and then Kalou as Cole broke through the Hammers defence and rounded Green before firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

It was nearly two seconds later, but Drogba couldn't quite connect with a dangerous Wright-Phillips cross.

Mikel endeavoured to find Kalou but, one-on-one, the Ivorian couldn't bring the ball down before Green snatched it away.

Into the final ten minutes it looked like Chelsea would only add to the score, with West Ham seemingly pinned on to the back foot.

With five minutes to go though, the visitors were offered a chance to restore parity. Mikel pulled down Ashton outside the area, and the forward stepped up to take the free kick. It was wasted, going both high and wide.

West Ham's chances looked to have disappeared, and Grant brought on Makelele to shield his defence as the clock ticked down. Joe Cole was the man replaced, leaving the field to a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd.

It was at the other end where the action was occurring. Drogba was released by Wright-Phillips and shot, but again the West Ham defence covered and it was deflected over.

Drogba had led the line well all day, and although not on the scoresheet fully deserved to be on the winning side.

Three consecutive wins in a week is music to Chelsea fans' ears as we enter the busiest period of the season, and although others are still to play, three points from this tricky London derby leaves us in second place just two points from the top.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cudicini; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), Bridge; Sidwell (Wright-Phillips 65), Lampard, Mikel; Kalou, Drogba, J Cole (Makelele 88).

Booked Mikel 37, Kalou 40, Belletti 55, Lampard 70, Terry 84
Goals J Cole 75

West Ham (4-4-2) Green; Neill (c), Gabbidon, Upson, McCartney; Solano (73 Ljungberg), Parker (Spector 78), Mullins, Etherington (Ashton 78); Cole; Boa Morte.

Booked Etherington 22, Solano 33, Boa Morte 44

By Andy Jones