Following a draw in their Premier League opener, Chelsea FC scored a resounding victory at West Ham United. After falling behind early, the Blues turned up the heat and earned a well-deserved win.
After losing 3-0 to Sunderland, the Hammers were looking to bounce back against the first club world champions and initially stuck to their game plan. Lucas Paqueta scored a beautiful long-range shot into the top right corner in the 6th minute, giving West Ham an early lead and allowing them to play more freely – or so it seemed.
However, the reality was different. The club from Stamford Bridge – playing without Palmer, who was a last-minute withdrawal – remained unfazed and delivered the perfect response: Joao Pedro pushed a corner extended by Cucurella over the line (15′).
The Hammers’ response was not long in coming, but Füllkrug’s goal (17th minute) was disallowed after a VAR review (19th minute). Instead, Chelsea turned the game around through Pedro Neto, who slotted a butter-soft cross from Joao Pedro into the left corner (23rd minute). The Blues celebrated straightforward football, made their game look easy and were convincing.
Fernandez then made it 3-1 before half-time (34′) after a great solo run by Estevao, which was an undeserved lead because West Ham had been watching after Füllkrug’s goal was disallowed.
West Ham falls apart
The change of ends did nothing to alter the imbalance. It took less than five minutes for Fernandez to have a chance to double his tally, but he shot over from a promising position (50′). Although this opportunity did not find its way into the net, the Hammers were still trailing by two goals. Suddenly, it was 5-1 to the Blues.
First, Caicedo took advantage of a mistake by West Ham goalkeeper Caicedo (54′), then Chalobah scored from a corner (58′). The smaller London club was finally beaten, but did not give up, which was at least to the Hammers’ credit. A comeback was audible in the aftermath, but nothing more.
After a draw in their opening game, Chelsea ultimately won this London derby 5-1 and will host Fulham FC next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Before West Ham travel to Nottingham next Sunday (3 p.m.), they first have a second-round League Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers (Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.).
