Chelsea fans were really hoping their pre-match outpouring of adulation for prodigal son Gianfranco Zola would be as good as it got for the Italian and his assistant Steve Clarke.

Alas, it was just the beginning of a near-perfect afternoon for the former Chelsea duo, who have taken up residence in east London at one of the club's bitterest rivals.

Not for the first time this season, the Blues toiled desperately to re-establish the stranglehold over visitors that once seemed theirs by right. Not for the first time, they came up short.

Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham at Stamford Bridge lowered Chelsea spirits even more than it might have done because it was the sixth time in nine fixtures that home points have been frittered away - in stark contrast to that unblemished away record - and also because the Blues threw away a chance to reclaim top spot in the title race.

It was not all bad for Luiz Felipe Scolari, with a stirring second half display at least blowing away the memory of an insipid first 45 minutes and Didier Drogba taking another stride towards full fitness.

But the Brazilian - troubled by a kidney stone complaint on the eve of the match - could have done with the balm of a win to help him forget his personal pains and to re-establish something of the old order following recent home defeats by Arsenal and Liverpool.

Nicolas Anelka's 51st minute strike - following a neat one-touch build-up by Drogba and Frank Lampard - promised to be the catalyst for a stirring fightback, but in the end it was Carlton Cole who almost stole all the points for the Hammers at the death.

Craig Bellamy had stunned the Blues by firing home a 34th minute goal to underline the fact that first half possession for Chelsea, although plentiful, had not been put to sufficient good use.

Frank Lampard should have had a penalty after a trip by Lucas Neill during a vastly improved second half - the Blues have amazingly yet to win one in this campaign - and Scott Parker, another ex Blues player, managed to head a looping ball off his own crossbar and away from danger as Chelsea pressed for the winner they craved. But West Ham's resilience had to be applauded.

"I am frustrated," said an exasperated Scolari, who will hope for better news from the doctors and from Uefa on Friday when the Champions League second round draw is made.

"First half, we didn't play well. Second half, we played better, but players need to learn they have to come back, to work without the ball," said the Brazilian, mindful of the fact his side nearly lost all three points, let alone failed to force a win.

"It's important for us to win at home but we play now better away than at home and I need to change this. We need to win one, two, three games here and after this, maybe we play the same as the last five to 10 years.

"But now all the teams come to Stamford Bridge and play back 40 metres. Sometimes my players need to improve, to dribble and need to try something different. But it's difficult for us."

"It's been a great day. I've had a fantastic reception and this is a special place for me," Zola said afterwards. "Thank you very much to my team also, who made it a great day for me. I'm very pleased."