Hammers put a knock on rejuvenated Chelsea, in 1-0 shock win at Stamford Bridge. Aaron Cresswell’s brilliant solo goal just after the break gave West Ham their first win since September, and a first away win since August to ease the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini. Chelsea fell to back to back league defeats for the first time this season, as Olivier Giroud fails to make the most of his opportunity.
Yet again Chelsea were electric out of the blocks, the story of their season, dominating possession and having multiple early chances, Pulisic heading over the bar and Reece James’s cross hitting the post after deflecting off a defender. West Ham defended solidly, and they grew in confidence throughout the game, Antonio going closest in the first, seeing his diving header saved superbly by Kepa after Snodgrass scoped a cross between Emerson and Tomori. Seconds before the break Chelsea came inches from taking the lead, James with an amazing cross right over the six yard box, somehow missed by the heads of Pulisic again, and Giroud, who made his first league start of the season after Abraham was ruled out with an injury picked up against Valencia.
Despite this late chance for Chelsea, it was West Ham who had the first chance of the second half, Cresswell scoring with a brilliant solo goal, all on his own he dribbled down the left wing before cutting in on Reece James and curling the ball round an outstretched Arrizabalaga, nestling in the bottom right corner in the 48th minute. The goal only spurred West Ham on further, a corner headed top corner was somehow clawed out of the goal by Kepa, with an unbelievable top corner save, his best of the match. In what was a half where the game came to life, the pot was further stirred with a splash of VAR. Antonio fumbled the ball across the line for what he and the travelling West Ham fans thought was their second of the game, only to be ruled out correctly by VAR for handball. This wouldn’t prove to have any affect on the final result as late on Pulisic struck a brilliant opportunity wide. So West Ham end their seven game winless run, whereas Chelsea are left scratching their heads after a weak performance and now back to back defeats.
With Tammy Abraham out injured, Frank Lampard decided to give the nod to Giroud, in what was his first start of the season, perhaps a reward for his terrific performances for France as of late. However a terrific performance this was not, lacking movement and creativity he was brought off for Hudson-Odoi, who didn’t have enough time remaining to make enough of an impact. Mason Mount and Pedro were other returnees to the squad ahead of Kante and Willian, both dropped to the bench in what is a very important few weeks for club. Again though this rotation appeared to cost Chelsea, Pedro another player who lacked any flair in the game, seemingly going missing throughout. Captain Azpilicueta was another player dropped to the bench by Frank, with the rising star Reece James starting at right-back. It was another stellar performance by James, who caused trouble for West Ham all game, regularly making driving runs down the wing, the only thing missing was someone on the end of his crosses, all of which were brilliantly placed. For West Ham, 33 year old David Martin was between the posts, son of club legend Alvin Martin, for his first start for the Hammers, seeing Roberto dropped to the bench after a debatable performance against Tottenham last weekend. What a decision this was, Martin was brought to tears after the full time whistle in what was a man of the match performance, giving West Ham confidence at the back. Another player brought back into the squad was Antonio, who had it not been for the fact he handled the ball over the line, would’ve scored West Ham’s second.
It was a good performance from referee Jonathon Moss, getting the majority of decisions correct. He did well to control the East v West derby as well, something that couldn’t be said outside the stadium as multiple arrests were made in what was a highly policed game. VAR did much better as well, the decision was made a lot faster than some recent decisions, I timed the whole process in 2 minutes 47 seconds. This still felt too long though in what was a cagey game anyway. On the whole though it was a strong performance from all the officials in what was a game where they were always going to be disagreed with.
So for West Ham it is a time of celebration, whereas for Chelsea it is a time for reflection. Another inconsistent home performance leading some fans to wonder if it is too much pressure for the young players to play at Stamford Bridge. Pressure is a word that Pellegrini may not be feeling as much, in what was a much needed result to save him from getting hammered out of the West Ham job.
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