A disputed late penalty from Cesc Fabregas denied West Ham United a famous victory at Chelsea as the Blues twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw.
A wonder strike from Manuel Lanzini in the first half looked to set West Ham on their way at Stamford Bridge, but Fabregas got on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time with a free-kick from the edge of the box.
The Hammers restored their lead when substitute Andy Carroll made an immediate impact and fired the ball past Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois just past the hour-mark.
West Ham were just three minutes away from securing their first victory at Stamford Bridge since September 2002 when Michail Antonio was adjudged by Robert Madley to have clipped Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside the box, when replays suggested that any contact had occurred well outside the visitors' penalty area.
To add further insult, Fabregas kept his composure and struck the penalty past Adrian to net his second of the game and ensure the game finished all-square in an entertaining London derby.
Despite having to settle for a point, Slaven Bilic and his players can be proud of another impressive display and head into the international break still dreaming of securing a top four finish come the end of the season.
The day got off to the perfect start when West Ham opened the scoring in spectacular fashion on 17 minutes.
Gary Cahill slid in on Dimitri Payet and the ball fell nicely to Lanzini who curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner and gave Courtois no chance in the Chelsea goal for his fifth goal of the seasom.
The Hammers were brimming with confidence and could have doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Payet's side-foot volley from the edge of the box flew just wide of the post.
West Ham still had to be on their guard at the other end and when Fabregas chipped the ball into the box on the half hour mark, Loic Remy attempted a backward header which was easily dealt with by Adrian.
The Hammers immediately raced down the other end and Diafra Sakho's pass was back-heeled by Lanzini into the path of Aaron Cresswell who fired a left-shot which deflected inches past the post.
Chelsea drew level on the stroke of half-time when Winston Reid gave away a foul on the edge of the box following his challenge on Oscar. Fabregas showed his quality and curled the free-kick into the top left hand corner.
West Ham blew a golden chance to restore their lead on 54 minutes when Aaron Cresswell raced clear into the box but saw his shot from the tightest of angles cannon back off the bar.
Bilic opted to make a change on the hour mark bringing on Carroll for Sakho and the move immediately paid off as Payet's pass released Carroll through on goal and the Hammers forward makes no mistake striking the ball past Courtois.
It could have been game over if Carroll's header was not cleared off the line on 87 minutes.
And Chelsea made the Hammers pay as they were awarded that hugely controversial penalty a minute later, leaving Bilic and his players feeling frustrated and disappointed in equal measuret.
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Mikel, Willian, Oscar (Loftus-Cheek 82), Kenedy (Pedro 46), Remy (Traore 62)
Subs not used Begovic, Baba, Pato, Matic
Goals: Fabregas 45+3, 89 (pen)
Bookings: Ivanovic, Fabregas, Willian
West Ham United: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate; Noble, Lanzini (Obiang 81), Payet; Sakho (Carroll 59), Valencia (Emenike 75)
Subs not used: Randolph, O'Brien, Oxford, Song
Goals: Lanzini 17, Carroll 61
Bookings: Reid, Adrian, Antonio, Ogbonna, Kouyate
Referee: Robert Madley
Attendance: 41,623 (3,080 Away)