Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign in spectacular fashion on Friday night, demolishing West Ham United 5-1 at London Stadium. The victory marked their first league win of the season and temporarily propelled them to the top of the table.
Early Drama Sets the Tone
The match began dramatically when young Brazilian winger Estevao Willian, making his first Chelsea start as a late replacement for injured Cole Palmer, lost possession in a dangerous area. West Ham capitalized through Lucas Paqueta's stunning 25-yard strike, but the lead proved short-lived.
Brazilian Brilliance Turns the Tide
Chelsea responded swiftly with Joao Pedro heading home from Marc Cucurella's flick-on in the 15th minute. The Blues then survived a VAR-disallowed West Ham goal before taking control through Pedro Neto's tap-in and Enzo Fernandez's composed finish before halftime.
Second-Half Dominance
The onslaught continued after the break with Moises Caicedo's inventive finish and Trevoh Chalobah's header completing the rout. Manager Enzo Maresca's side showed remarkable composure, demonstrating they could have scored more against Graham Potter's struggling Hammers.
"When you have this quality in the squad, you always have solutions," Maresca told reporters post-match regarding Palmer's late withdrawal.
The comprehensive victory serves as an early statement of intent from Chelsea, with their Brazilian contingent playing pivotal roles in the absence of key players. West Ham, meanwhile, face tough questions after conceding five goals at home for the first time in nearly two years.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!