In a stunning display of attacking prowess, Chelsea delivered a resounding 5-1 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium, piling pressure on the Hammers’ manager Graham Potter. Despite a bright start from the hosts, Chelsea’s new-look attack proved too much to handle, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.
The match began with a bang, as West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá scored a sensational long-range goal in the opening minutes, giving the home side a shock lead. However, the joy was short-lived. Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, responded with a flurry of goals, showing a ruthless efficiency that West Ham’s porous defense could not contain.
The Blues’ attack, led by the dazzling performances of João Pedro, Pedro Neto, and the young sensation Estevão, completely dismantled West Ham. The Hammers thought they had restored their lead through Niclas Füllkrug, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, a pivotal moment that swung the momentum firmly in Chelsea’s favor. From that point on, it was all Chelsea, who added two more goals in the second half to seal a comprehensive victory.
For West Ham, it was a dismal performance that raises serious questions about their defensive organization and tactical approach. Having now conceded eight goals in their first two matches, the pressure on Graham Potter is at an all-time high. The boos from the London Stadium crowd at the final whistle spoke volumes about the fans’ frustration.
Key Moments
- 6′ – Goal! West Ham 1-0 Chelsea: Lucas Paquetá stuns the London Stadium with a fantastic, swerving long-range strike that finds the top corner.
- 15′ – Goal! West Ham 1-1 Chelsea: Chelsea’s quick response comes from a corner. Marc Cucurella flicks on a Pedro Neto delivery, and João Pedro heads home his first Premier League goal for the club.
- 17′ – Disallowed Goal: West Ham briefly believes they’ve retaken the lead as Niclas Füllkrug scores, but VAR correctly rules it out for offside in the build-up.
- 23′ – Goal! West Ham 1-2 Chelsea: Pedro Neto puts Chelsea ahead, capitalizing on a West Ham defensive error. João Pedro provides the assist, slotting a pass to Neto, who fires it into the net.
- 34′ – Goal! West Ham 1-3 Chelsea: The young Brazilian Estevão, who came in for an injured Cole Palmer, showcases his talent with a brilliant run and a low cross that finds Enzo Fernández for a simple tap-in.
- 54′ – Goal! West Ham 1-4 Chelsea: A moment of goalkeeping horror for Mads Hermansen. He fumbles a corner delivery, and Moisés Caicedo is there to pounce on the loose ball and score.
- 58′ – Goal! West Ham 1-5 Chelsea: The rout is complete as Trevoh Chalobah gets on the scoresheet from another set-piece, hooking the ball home from close range after more chaos in the West Ham penalty area.
Man of the Match
While Estevão’s dazzling performance and Enzo Fernández’s control in midfield were notable, the Man of the Match award goes to João Pedro. The new Chelsea forward was instrumental in the team’s attack, scoring a goal and providing two assists. His ability to find space and link up with his teammates caused West Ham’s defense problems all night.
Match Stats
| Category | West Ham United | Chelsea |
| Possession (%) | 40.4% | 59.6% |
| Shots | 12 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 7 |
| Corners | 7 | 5 |
| Fouls | 7 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Goals | 1 | 5 |
Managers’ Quotes
Graham Potter (West Ham United):
“It was a tough evening for us. I’m disappointed with the result and the manner in which we conceded the goals. We started the game well, but to concede the goals in the way we did against a top team gives us an impossible task. We need to do better; we have to improve significantly. The offside goal was a bit unlucky, but goals change games, and they affected us too much. I have to look at myself and what we’re doing. What we are doing at the moment clearly isn’t enough.”
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea):
“It was quite difficult with Cole’s problem during the warm-up, and then we conceded a goal… but the reaction was very good. We continued to play in the way we planned. We deserved to win the game. There was plenty of time to recover. We are very happy with the result and the performance. We are very happy with Estevão; he is a very good young talent. And also very happy with the rest of the players. We are very happy with the 5-1!”
