LONDON, Dec 1: Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 on Saturday to overhaul Manchester United and go second in the Premier League behind unbeaten leaders Arsenal. England midfielder Joe Cole sank his former club, rounding Robert Green in the 76th minute and chipping right-footed into the top of the net from a Salomon Kalou header after striker Didier Drogba flicked the ball on.

West Ham appealed in vain for offside. Chelsea, now unbeaten in 70 home league games at Stamford Bridge in a run stretching back to February 2004, have 31 points from 15 matches.

Arsenal, on 33 points with two games in hand, are at Aston Villa for an evening match while champions United, on 30 from 14 games, play Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday.

Chelsea’s position could be short-lived however, with Manchester City (29 points) hoping to regain ground in a later match at struggling Wigan Athletic.

Chelsea, with Carlo Cudicini making his 200th appearance in goal, looked scrappy in a dismal first half littered with fouls and five bookings as the London rivals flexed their muscles.

“We were a bit nervous because we were tired but at the end we stayed calm and we had this chance to score,” Drogba told Sky Sports television.

“It was a physical game and I think the referee had a great game, it’s not easy to ref in a big derby like this one. He did his job and I think the players in the second half were a bit more responsible.”

The striker complained to the fourth official early in the first half, with television images suggesting he had been troubled by a fan shining a laser pen in his eyes.

“It was difficult because you see this green light but this was a stupid fan, I think,” said the Ivory Coast player.—Reuters