Chelsea sweeps to victory over West Ham

Chelsea kept up its perfect record in the Premier League on Saturday as two goals from Michael Essien steered the English champion to a 3-1 victory at West Ham and its fourth win from as many matches this season.

Chelsea wasted no time at Upton Park, with midfielder Essien heading home in the second minute and Salomon Kalou finding the net in the 18th when a clearance by West Ham defender Matthew Upson ricocheted in off the Ivorian striker.

Essien nodded in Chelsea’s third in the 83rd minute, two minutes before Scott Parker pulled a consolation goal back for the home side when he lobbed keeper Petr Cech.

Chelsea leads the standings with 12 points, two more than Arsenal and four clear of Manchester United.