Mounting a dramatic comeback at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening, Chelsea secured only a second Premier League victory of 2025 as they claimed a 2-1 victory in opposition to West Ham.
Whereas Enzo Maresca’s males may need discovered a route again into the Champions League spots, they received off to a nightmare begin in west London as Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring within the forty second minute following Levi Colwill’s weak again go.
Nonetheless, with the previous Leicester boss clearly slicing a annoyed determine on both aspect of the half-time break, Chelsea dragged themselves degree in a controversial vogue as substitute Pedro Neto ultimately swept house simply after the hour mark.
With the Blues having to experience their luck for Larne spells, they received an unbelievable slice of fortune simply minutes after Neto’s equaliser as Cole Palmer’s cross was merciless deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and looped over a helpless Alphonse Areola.
On an evening when Chelsea discovered a route again into the Champions League spots, we have now taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors from Monday’s showdown.
Chelsea skyrocket their approach into the top-four
Whereas Chelsea may need as soon as agains struggled to search out high gear with a lot stability on Monday evening, the Blues did handle to discover a route again into the Champions League spots.
Struggling a 3-1 loss away at Manchester Metropolis final day trip, Maresca had made it abundantly clear that he was merely searching for a right away response from his squad in west London.
Dragging themselves over the ending line right here and recording only a second Premier League victory since opening up the New Yr, Chelsea will likely be determined to make use of their controversial comeback as a platform to construct on.
With it no secret that Monday’s hosts have their sights firmly set on wrapping up a vital Champions League return in 2025, Maresca’s aspect will now be trying to discover some much-welcomed defensive metal.
The truth is, Monday’s hosts have recorded only a single clear sheet from any of their earlier 11 consecutive Premier League appearances – a run that stems again to a 3-0 victory in opposition to Aston Villa on December 1st.
Heartbreak at Stamford Bridge for the Hammers
Whereas West Ham may need been left massively annoyed on Monday evening as they suffered a second-half collapse, the Hammers ought to take away loads of positives away from one other eye-catching efficiency.
Believing that they deserved to go away Stamford Bridge to point out for his or her efforts, it seems that Monday’s company are having fun with life underneath the steering of former Chelsea boss Potter.
Urgent excessive and greater than deserving of their opening objective, they definitely prompted their London rivals some actual points and can know that issues may have simply gone in another way on a distinct day.
Saying the arrival of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson on a mortgage deal previous to Monday’s recreation, the Hammers may also be excited by the upcoming return of each Crysencio Summerville and Jean-Clair Todibo.
Whereas Potter won’t have claimed an emotional victory on his first return to west London since leaving the membership in April 2023, West Ham have given themselves a platform to construct on.
Palmer drags Chelsea over the road once more
Whereas Chelsea’s second-half winner won’t formally be given to Palmer, Chelsea’s attacking talisman was as soon as once more on the coronary heart of every part constructive that Monday’s hosts produced.
Though Maresca’s aspect may need struggled to search out a lot stability since opening the New Yr, the previous Manchester Metropolis starlet has loved one other Premier League romp.
Watching his deflected cross drag Chelsea to only a second Premier League victory of 2025, Palmer will definitely be essential within the Blues’ cost to ebook a top-four return come Might.
Already notching 16 Premier League targets thus far this season and main the chase for Chelsea’s Golden Boot this season, Palmer has solely continued to cement his spot because the main man in west London.
Turning their consideration again to FA Cup motion this weekend once they journey to Brighton, the 22-year-old will as soon as once more have one other pivotal function to play on the Amex on Saturday evening.
Match Report
Chelsea: Jorgensen, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Sancho, Palmer, Jackson
Subs: Neto, Nkunku, Gusto, Chalobah, Guiu
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Kilman, Cresswell, Emerson, Wan-Bissaka, Irving, Soucek, Soler, Kudus, Bowen
Subs: Ings, Guilherme, Mavropanos, Orford, Scarles
Objectives: Chelsea: Neto (64’), Wan-Bissaka (74’ OG) – West Ham: Bowen (43’)
Yellow Playing cards: Chelsea: James, Fernandez, Palmer – West Ham: Irving
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Stuart Attwell