Chelsea came from behind to beat Graham Potter’s West Ham United 2-1, maintaining an impressive record that no former Blues manager has ever won a Premier League (PL) game at Stamford Bridge on their return (D8, L15). The victory boosts Chelsea’s top-four ambitions while leaving the Hammers in a difficult position.
First Half: Chelsea is Dominant but lacks sharpness
Chelsea entered the match with just one win in their last seven PL games (D3, L3) and needed a strong start. The Blues dominated possession and dictated the tempo, but their build-up play often lacked urgency. Noni Madueke was lively, coming close with a curling effort in the 15th minute and setting up Enzo Fernández, who dragged his shot wide in the 30th minute.
As halftime approached, Jadon Sancho’s swerving shot missed the target after being teed up by Madueke. Chelsea failed to find the breakthrough despite their dominance, and their lack of cutting edge was punished when Jarrod Bowen intercepted Levi Colwill’s misplaced pass. The returning West Ham star made no mistake, clinically firing into the bottom corner to give the Hammers a surprise 1-0 lead. Moments before the break, Alphonse Areola produced a crucial fingertip save to deny Cole Palmer’s free-kick, ensuring the visitors carried their advantage into halftime.
Second Half: Chelsea’s Tactical Tweaks Pay Off
Chelsea looked sluggish after the restart, with West Ham growing in confidence. Sensing the urgency, Enzo Maresca swiftly substituted, bringing fresh legs to inject pace into the game. The changes paid off almost immediately, as substitute Pedro Neto leveled the score in the 61st minute. Neto’s whipped cross was deflected back to him, and he calmly slotted the ball home for his first goal since November.
The equalizer reignited the contest, with both sides pushing for the lead. West Ham nearly restored their advantage when Mohammed Kudus headed Bowen’s cross onto the post, though he was ruled offside. Chelsea, however, kept pressing, and their persistence was rewarded when Palmer’s dangerous cross deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and looped over Areola, giving the hosts a crucial 2-1 lead.
Final Moments: Chelsea Holds Firm to Secure Victory
Chelsea had opportunities to extend their lead, with Areola denying Konstantinos Mavropanos’s own goal and Palmer curling a shot just wide. Despite late pressure from West Ham, including a Kudus attempt blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo, the Blues held firm to secure all three points.
The win lifts Chelsea back into the top four, continuing their impressive home form, having lost just once in their last 17 games at Stamford Bridge (W12, D4). On the other hand, West Ham suffered their third consecutive league defeat against Chelsea for the first time since 2011, leaving them 15th in the table and struggling to break into the top half.
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Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s comeback victory over West Ham was a statement win, proving their resilience at Stamford Bridge. With the top-four race heating up, the Blues’ ability to grind out results at home will be crucial. It’s back to the drawing board for West Ham as they aim to turn their season around.
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