Chelsea bounced back to defeat their former manager Graham Potter’s team, 2-1 West Ham United, thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Pedro Neto and an own goal by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, securing their position in fourth place in the Premier League on Monday.
Chelsea’s result pushed them two points ahead of Manchester City in fifth place and Newcastle United in sixth, while they are now four points behind Nottingham Forest, who are in third place.
Bowen Marks Return with Opener Against Chelsea
Jarrod Bowen, returning from a month-long absence due to a foot fracture, scored for the Hammers when he capitalized on a back pass from defender Levi Colwill just three minutes before halftime, firing a left-footed shot past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
First-Half Struggles and Areola Key Save
After a messy first half in which Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Jadon Sanchez all missed good opportunities, the goal brought the game back to life.
West Ham’s goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made sure the team went into halftime with a lead by deflecting a twisting free kick from Palmer over the crossbar just three minutes after they scored first.
Enzo Maresca Tactical Changes Spark Chelsea Revival
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who faced criticism lately for not substituting at the right moments, brought on Neto instead of Sancho and Marc Guiu for Nicolas Jackson just seven minutes into the second half. The home team appeared more lively after these adjustments.
Neto Equalizer and Wan-Bissaka Own Goal
The 64th-minute equaliser was scored by Portugal winger Neto, who capitalized on a deflected shot from his teammate Fernandez. Following an extensive VAR review for offside, the goal was awarded.
Palmer set up the decisive goal 10 minutes afterwards, as his cross was redirected by Aaron Wan-Bissaka into his own goal, much to the dismay of West Ham manager Potter on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Push for Third as West Ham Threaten Late
Chelsea sought to secure a third goal with opportunities for Palmer and Fernandez, but West Ham closed out the match with intensity. Jorgensen, chosen over the error-prone Robert Sanchez, denied shots from Mohammed Kudus and Konstantinos Mavropanos as the match came to a close.
“This win, achieved after trailing, was crucial for us. We need to maintain our consistency, that’s the key factor,” Neto said to Sky Sports.
Potter Stamford Bridge Return Ends in Defeat
The outcome was disappointing for Potter, who was dismissed in April 2023 after struggling to establish a successful strategy during his seven months at Chelsea.
Bowen Optimistic About West Ham Progress Under Potter
The 49-year-old has been with West Ham for under a month, experiencing two losses, one draw, and one victory in the league up to this point, but Bowen has felt optimistic about the team’s development under Potter.
“Since the arrival of the new manager, our performances have significantly improved,” Bowen stated. “It’s a thrilling moment to rejoin the squad. We’re optimistic about the positive times that lie ahead for us.”
West Ham Struggles at Stamford Bridge Continue
West Ham currently sits 15th with 27 points and has achieved only one victory in their last 19 league matches at Chelsea, recording four draws and 14 losses.
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