The lowdown on Chelsea 2 West Ham 1 – Scrambled win lifts Blues back up to fourth
The form has been decidedly patchy of late. Those defeats to Ipswich, Fulham and Man City have been deflating for the Blues, but a first home league win since 2013 in which they trailed at half-time has lifted them back up to that all-important fourth Champions League slot.
It was Graham Potter’s first return to Stamford Bridge in an opposition dug-out since being sent packing by his former club, but he could not make it a winning return.
Here are the main takeaways.
THE LINE-UPS
Chelsea: Jorgensen, James (Gusto 61), Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke (Nkunku 61), Palmer (Chalobah 89), Sancho (Pedro Neto 52), Jackson (Guiu 52). Subs not used: Sanchez, Acheampong, Dewsbury-Hall, George.
West Ham: Areola, Coufal (Scarles 72) Kilman, Cresswell (Guilherme 87), Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Irving (Orford 77), Emerson (Mavropanos 71), Kudus, Soler (Ings 77), Bowen. Subs not used: Fabianski, Casey, Foderingham, Rodriguez.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
Chelsea’s first-half dominance went unrewarded as the Hammers stole into the lead when Levi Colwill’s blind pass back towards his own goal was seized upon by Jarrod Bowen for the opening goal.
The Blues levelled through sub Pedro Neto just past the hour on a rebound following a VAR check for offside against Marc Cucurella – Enzo Fernandez having his initial shot saved.
Cole Palmer’s 74th minute strike from an angle gave Chelsea the points – a wicked deflection off Aaron Wan-Bissaka looping the ball over Alphonse Areola. It has gone down as an own goal but everyone knew who was behind it.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Enzo Marecsa decided that Filip Jorgensen should get the nod ahead of the error-prone Robert Sanchez, which was no real surprise given the axed keeper’s latest costly gaffe up at Man City. Tosin replaced Trevoh Chalobah in the starting XI.
The game was mostly about the Blues’ attempts to break down a stubborn Hammers rearguard, using Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho on the flanks and Palmer’s play-making in the centre.
Maresca was frustrated enough after going behind to make four substitutions on early in the second half and will feel vindicated after the turn-around.
STAR MAN
Cole Palmer. Isn’t it always? An inch-perfect free-kick in the first half needed a brilliant fingertip save from Areola to keep him out and after the goal he forced, he flashed another shot into the side-netting after that familiar dip of the shoulder to create the necessary space.
His insouciant swagger can win any game and always threatens to. “Palmer again, ole, ole” sang the Matthew Harding end when he was subbed off near the end.
BEST MOMENT
Apart from the obvious – Palmer’s winning strike – it was probably the retaliatory chants of “Frankie Lampard” from home fans who had endured plenty of baiting from the away end about the former hero who made the switch from east to west. Not new, of course, but the fans will have enjoyed having the last laugh.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Why does Maresca seem to have it in for Madueke so much? The boss has gone public about his feeling of frustration over the England winger – presumably in a bid to raise his game to greater heights – but there is a danger it might prove counter-productive.
The number 11 was hooked early in the second half as part of that quadruple substitution, but he did curl a shot just wide, send in several dangerous crosses and might have had an assist had Enzo Fernandez converted one of his defence-splitting passes.
TALKING POINTS DOWN THE PUB
Toughing it out can feel good. Blues fans will be pleased that their team found a way to win without being particularly scintillating. They did just enough and made sure the unlucky first-half deficit did not come to define the match.
They will be wondering whether Jorgensen is likely to become the permanent keeper. He did not have an awful lot to do to prove he can be more reliable than Sanchez. They will be wondering if their side is really good enough to stay in fourth given the recent inconsistencies. They’ll be discussing those vital upcoming trips to Brighton (twice, once in the FA Cup) and Villa.
They will also be sharing the feeling of relief that their former boss did not come back to haunt them, as can often be the case in the world of football.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“I was very happy, especially as we conceded and it was the toughest game, mentally, because when teams come here and they just sit back waiting for our mistake, there is no space to attack and you need to be patient.
“They tried to frustrate us and you need to be mentally strong and even without that, first half we had four or five clear chances and then we conceded from our mistake.
“My message at half-time was don’t change anything, continue in the same way because they cannot be so intense for 95 minutes. Second half we found a little bit more space and also the guys from the bench were very good.
“I think we completely deserved to win the game.”
“For Robert [Sanchez} I think in this moment he needs a rest, to calm down a little bit, and Filip [Jorgensen] was very good. The good thing is we have two good keepers and we can decide.”
Pictured top: The winning moment as Palmer’s shot loops into the net via Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Picture: ALAMY)