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Chelsea battled their way back into the Premier League’s top four with a comeback victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge. However, their performance was far from convincing, and for much of the match, they struggled to find their rhythm. Ultimately, two scrappy goals in the second half were enough to secure all three points, leaving West Ham with little more than the consolation of having given their wealthier rivals a genuine scare.
The match marked a return to Stamford Bridge for Graham Potter, who endured a frustrating evening as his new team failed to hold onto their first-half lead. Sacked by Chelsea after just seven turbulent months in charge, Potter could do little but watch as his side succumbed to a late surge from Enzo Maresca’s men.
A Slow Start for Chelsea
Despite the eventual victory, Chelsea’s first-half performance was lackluster. Their play was disjointed, and they lacked urgency, allowing West Ham to grow in confidence. The visitors, despite missing key players Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, and Niclas Füllkrug, put in a spirited performance. Mohammed Kudus was particularly lively, posing problems for Chelsea’s defense.
The warning signs were there early on when Chelsea’s new goalkeeper, Filip Jörgensen, who replaced Robert Sánchez, spilled a cross from Irving. Fortunately for the hosts, West Ham failed to capitalize on the mistake. However, their breakthrough came just before halftime when Levi Colwill’s errant backpass was seized upon by Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham forward displayed composure as he raced clear and calmly slotted his shot past Jörgensen in the 42nd minute.
Chelsea had no complaints about going into the break behind. Their play lacked cohesion, and their only significant chance came from a Cole Palmer free-kick, which forced an excellent save from Alphonse Areola.
Second-Half Resurgence
Maresca knew changes were necessary and wasted no time in introducing Pedro Neto for the ineffective Jadon Sancho. The move proved to be decisive, as Neto’s energy and creativity changed the course of the game. He immediately added dynamism to Chelsea’s attack, stretching West Ham’s defense and creating opportunities.
West Ham, for their part, were still dangerous. Kudus continued to threaten, while Bowen, leading the line with determination despite recently recovering from a broken foot, nearly added a second goal. However, Chelsea gradually began to take control.
The equalizer arrived in the 65th minute through Neto. The Portuguese winger delivered a dangerous cross from the right, which was met by Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard turned the ball back into the danger area, and after Enzo Fernández’s initial shot was blocked, Neto reacted quickest to fire into the net.
West Ham protested, believing there had been a foul on Bowen in the build-up. Their appeals fell on deaf ears, and the goal stood. Chelsea, suddenly revitalized, sensed an opportunity to push for a winner.
Palmer’s Influence and the Winning Goal
With momentum on their side, Chelsea surged forward. It was Palmer, their standout performer this season, who played a decisive role in securing the victory. In the 78th minute, he weaved past Tomas Soucek and sent a dangerous cross into the box. The ball took an unfortunate deflection off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and found its way into the back of the net. Stamford Bridge erupted, and Chelsea had turned the game around.
West Ham responded by introducing three young players—Luis Guilherme, Oliver Scarles, and Lewis Orford—but they struggled to make an impact. Chelsea, boosted by the £60 million signing of Neto and the return of Christopher Nkunku, had taken firm control of proceedings.
Despite their advantage, Chelsea had nervy moments late on. In stoppage time, West Ham almost snatched a point when Kudus found space in the box, only to be denied by a crucial block from Tosin Adarabioyo. The final whistle brought relief for Maresca, who admitted his team had been mentally tested.
“I was extremely happy because I believe tonight was the most mentally challenging game,” Maresca said. “You need to be patient. We conceded from our mistake. That’s when you need to be mentally strong. In the second half, we found more space, and the guys from the bench were very good.”
Transfer Distractions and Squad Adjustments
Chelsea’s recent struggles have been compounded by ongoing transfer speculation. The deadline day saw João Félix flying to Milan for a potential loan move, while Aston Villa secured a deal to bring in Axel Disasi on loan for the remainder of the season. The uncertainty surrounding the squad has created an unsettled atmosphere, and Maresca will hope that the closure of the transfer window will help restore focus.
West Ham, meanwhile, continue to feel the effects of poor recruitment over the past two years. Their lack of attacking depth was evident, with key absentees leaving them short of firepower. Despite their spirited display, they ultimately lacked the quality to see out the game.
Concerns Over Injuries
While Chelsea celebrated their hard-fought victory, there were lingering concerns over their forward options. Nicolas Jackson, who has now gone eight games without scoring, appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue. Additionally, Marc Guiu was seen limping down the tunnel at full-time. With a busy fixture schedule ahead, Maresca will be hoping that neither player is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Despite these concerns, the win represents a crucial boost for Chelsea. Climbing back into the top four puts them in a strong position as they look to secure Champions League qualification. However, their inconsistent performances remain a concern. While the second-half display showed glimpses of quality, the first-half struggles highlighted the ongoing issues that Maresca needs to address.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s next fixtures will provide further tests of their credentials. If they are to establish themselves as genuine top-four contenders, they will need to find greater consistency and ensure that their performances do not fluctuate as dramatically as they did against West Ham.
