Parker 'shocked' by Chelsea star's horror challenge

Mikel escaped with a yellow card for his tackle from behind during Chelsea's 1-0 win but West Ham midfielder Parker said today: "There were a few tackles flying about and that one was certainly a bit naughty. When it happened I was in shock for a bit, because I wasn't expecting anyone to come in from there.

"I don't know if he deserved to go off because I didn't see what he did, only felt it. Everyone else said it was a bad one but the referee saw it and gave a yellow card so I suppose I'll have to stick by that."

Signed during the summer for £7million, Parker injured knee ligaments in pre-season and has only now returned to fitness.

Saturday's match was only his second Premier League start of the season and he said: "The most important thing was coming through the game with no repercussions. I took a few challenges but finished the game relatively unscathed and that is the important thing."

Joe Cole scored the decisive goal 14 minutes from the end but Parker believed West Ham deserved better.

"The first half was pretty competitive," he said. "When you go to Stamford Bridge you're not going to sit back and let them play. You need to get in their faces, you need to upset their rhythm a bit and we certainly did that.

"Some people might look down on you for that but we were certainly not going to go out there, stand off them and let them show the talent they undoubtedly have.

"I thought a fair result would have been a draw but Joe Cole popped up to nick a goal."

Cole's goal lifted Chelsea up to second place in the table but Blues boss Avram Grant still has his detractors.

The Israeli has been accused by West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley and others of changing little since taking over from Jose Mourinho in September.

They have countered Grant's claims that he has made Chelsea play in a more attractive style and attributed the credit for the team's good run on the squad moulded by his predecessor.

However, Grant said: "All my life I have dealt with things like this. I am not coming to prove anything. I am coming to prove my team is good. I am doing my job and am not a coach of just one year but for more than 30 years."

Chelsea have gone 14 games unbeaten and lost only once since Grant took charge and he thinks they are well placed to mount a title challenge.

He said: "I like to have Chelsea sneaking up on the rails, especially after the beginning of the season when nobody gave us a chance to be near the top of the league."

West Ham fans shone a laser at Didier Drogba in the first half to try to put him off and he complained to officials. Stewards are set to be asked to look for any further repeats.