Chelsea came from behind in a tense and hard-fought London derby to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Monday night. The win propelled the Blues back into the Premier League’s top four, but it was far from a convincing performance as Enzo Maresca’s side made heavy weather of dispatching their local rivals.
The match marked Graham Potter’s first return to Stamford Bridge since his dismissal as Chelsea manager nearly two years ago. However, it was not a happy homecoming for the West Ham boss, as his side squandered an early lead and ultimately left empty-handed.
First Half: Colwill’s Blunder Gifts West Ham the Lead
The first half was a largely uneventful affair until a moment of calamity from Levi Colwill handed West Ham the opener. The young defender’s careless back pass was intercepted by Jarrod Bowen, who calmly slotted past Chelsea’s stand-in goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen, to give the Hammers the lead just before halftime.
Chelsea’s best chance of the half came from Cole Palmer, whose curling 25-yard free-kick forced a superb save from Alphonse Areola. The West Ham goalkeeper tipped the effort over the bar, ensuring his side went into the break with a narrow advantage.
Second Half: Neto and Palmer Turn the Tide
The second half saw Chelsea step up their intensity, and they drew level in the 62nd minute through substitute Pedro Neto. The Portuguese winger capitalized on chaos in the West Ham box, slamming home at the far post after the visitors failed to clear their lines. The goal survived a lengthy VAR check for offside, with replays unable to conclusively determine whether Marc Guiu had inadvertently played the ball to an offside Marc Cucurella in the build-up.
Chelsea’s winner came in the 73rd minute, courtesy of a stroke of luck and Cole Palmer’s persistence. The Blues’ talisman burst past Tomas Soucek and attempted a low cross into the box, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to deflect the ball into his own net under pressure. It was a moment of quality from Palmer, who had been relatively quiet up to that point but once again proved decisive.
Late Drama: Adarabioyo Denies Kudus
West Ham pushed for an equalizer in the dying moments, and they nearly found one in stoppage time. A rapid counter-attack saw Mohammed Kudus through on goal, but his close-range effort was brilliantly blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo, who ensured Chelsea held on for all three points.
Player Ratings: Palmer Shines, Colwill Struggles
Chelsea:
- Filip Jorgensen (5/10): Looked shaky at times, spilling shots and lacking composure.
- Reece James (5/10): Provided width but appeared sluggish and was replaced on the hour mark.
- Tosin Adarabioyo (7/10): A rock at the back, making crucial interventions, including the match-saving block.
- Levi Colwill (3/10): A night to forget, gifting West Ham their goal and struggling throughout.
- Marc Cucurella (6/10): Active in attack and played a part in the equalizer.
- Moises Caicedo (7/10): Recovered from a slow start to dominate midfield.
- Enzo Fernandez (6/10): Lively but reckless in challenges.
- Cole Palmer (6/10): Quiet for large periods but delivered the decisive moment.
- Noni Madueke (5/10): Ineffective and substituted early.
- Nicolas Jackson (4/10): Struggled to make an impact before being withdrawn.
- Jadon Sancho (5/10): Struggled to break free from Wan-Bissaka’s marking.
Subs:
- Pedro Neto (7/10): Made an immediate impact with the equalizer.
- Marc Guiu (6/10): Added physicality up front.
- Christopher Nkunku (5/10): Crowded out after coming on.
- Malo Gusto (6/10): Brought energy to the right flank.
- Trevoh Chalobah (N/A): Late substitute.
Manager:
- Enzo Maresca (6/10): Made the necessary changes to secure a gritty win, but questions remain about Chelsea’s overall performance.
West Ham: Missed Opportunities
West Ham will rue their inability to hold onto their lead, with Bowen’s goal their only real highlight. Areola made some key saves, but defensive lapses ultimately cost them. Kudus came close to snatching a late equalizer, but Adarabioyo’s heroics denied him.
Conclusion
It was an ugly but vital win for Chelsea, who showed resilience to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Manchester City. While the performance left much to be desired, the three points keep them firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification. For West Ham, it was another frustrating result in a season that has promised more than it has delivered.
