Chelsea orchestrated a resounding comeback victory against West Ham, triumphing 5-1 in a match that saw former Chelsea manager Graham Potter’s early-season struggles continue. The win propelled Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table, a position they hadn’t occupied since December 2021, while leaving Potter’s West Ham side reeling after just two games into the new campaign. The Hammers had entered the match hoping to rebound from a 3-0 opening day defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland, a result that added to the pressure on Potter, who has only managed five wins in 21 games since taking the helm at West Ham in January.
The match began with a moment of brilliance from West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, whose stunning long-range strike ignited hopes of a positive result for the home side. Paqueta’s emotional celebration, punctuated by repeated gestures towards the club badge, underscored the significance of the goal for the Brazilian midfielder, who had recently been cleared of spot-fixing allegations after a period of uncertainty. However, West Ham’s lead proved short-lived as Chelsea swiftly responded with three goals in quick succession, turning the game on its head.
Joao Pedro, making his Premier League debut for Chelsea, initiated the comeback with a headed goal from a corner, capitalizing on Marc Cucurella’s flick-on. Chelsea then extended their lead through Pedro Neto, who finished clinically at the far post after being set up by Pedro. A VAR review disallowed a potential West Ham equalizer, further solidifying Chelsea’s momentum. The Blues’ third goal arrived courtesy of Enzo Fernandez, who slotted home after a swift counter-attacking move initiated by 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Estevao, making his first Premier League start. Estevao’s explosive pace exposed the vulnerabilities in the West Ham defense, highlighting his potential as one of the brightest young prospects in world football.
The second half saw Chelsea further capitalize on West Ham’s defensive frailties, particularly those of their new goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen. Hermansen, a £20 million signing from Leicester, endured a nightmare debut, gifting Chelsea two more goals. First, he fumbled a corner at the feet of Moises Caicedo, allowing the midfielder to tap into an empty net. Shortly after, Hermansen’s failure to deal with another corner presented Trevoh Chalobah with a simple opportunity to add Chelsea’s fifth, compounding the misery for the home side.
The emphatic scoreline prompted an exodus of West Ham fans, with thousands leaving the stadium before the final whistle. Those who remained voiced their discontent with a chorus of boos at full-time, reflecting the frustration and disappointment of a heavy home defeat. The result leaves Potter under immense pressure, with just five wins in his 21 games in charge and a dismal start to the new season. His future at the club will undoubtedly be the subject of intense scrutiny in the coming days.
Conversely, Chelsea’s dominant performance signaled a positive start to their campaign. The convincing victory, coupled with the goals from new signings Pedro and Caicedo, will boost morale and create a sense of optimism for the season ahead. The emergence of Estevao as a promising attacking threat adds another dimension to Chelsea’s offensive options, further bolstering their prospects for a successful campaign. The team will now hope to carry this momentum forward and maintain their position at the top of the table as the season progresses. For West Ham and Graham Potter, significant improvements are required if they are to turn their season around and avoid a relegation battle.
