A pulsating game at Stamford Bridge ended in a controversial 2-1 win for Chelsea, with West Ham United furious with the outcome.
Stamford Bridge witnessed yet another fiery London derby, although this time, the actions on the pitch were more in focus than incidents off it. Chelsea came out of the game as narrow winners, but there was late controversy before the final whistle blew.
Chelsea started the game by gaining control of the ball, which pushed West Ham to defend deep and rely on counter-attacking opportunities. The Hammers, by no means, looked like a team about to surrender the reins of this match to the home side, as David Moyes ensured they were a tactically sound unit.
Chelsea were barely afforded any sniff at Lukasz Fabianski’s goal, while they rarely threatened to score themselves. However, the second half was a different story, as the Blues continued to put pressure on the West Ham backline, but the outcome remained the same.
West Ham, on the other hand, conjured up a goal to take the lead against the run of play midway through the second half. Thomas Tuchel had no option but to make changes and bring on players that could turn the game’s outcome around. It was then Ben Chilwell’s turn to make a goal out of nothing as he expertly trodded an effort between Fabianski’s legs and into the net.
? "It's a scandalous decision, absolutely rotten decision." ?
David Moyes is not happy with the decision to disallow West Ham's equaliser for a foul on Mendy pic.twitter.com/brdd1hg7zL
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 3, 2022
Soon enough, Maxwel Cornet rattled the bar on the other end, which may have ended up in a Hammers winner. However, soon after that effort, Kai Havertz was on hand to slam home what would eventually be a late Chelsea winner. But just before the clock hit the 90-minute mark, Cornet had the ball in the back of the net.
However, after much deliberation from VAR, the goal was ruled out for a controversial incident deemed to be a foul on Edouard Mendy. In the end, the headlines will read Chelsea earned a comeback win, but in hindsight, it was harsh on David Moyes and West Ham. Here’s how the players fared in this entertaining clash at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues securing the three points in the end.
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy: 6/10
Mendy barely had anything to do during the game before picking the ball from his net after Michail Antonio’s strike. While his handling of West Ham set pieces was horrendous, the Chelsea goalkeeper must feel lucky about the late VAR call to disallow Maxwel Cornet’s goal.
Wesley Fofana: 6/10
With the focus firmly settled on Chelsea’s newest acquisition and debutant, Fofana had a solid first game at Stamford Bridge. While he was far from spectacular, the youngster must feel the job was done at the back.
Thiago Silva: 6.5/10
Silva had plenty to do in his battle with Michail Antonio. While the veteran was no match for the West Ham striker’s physicality, the Brazilian often resorted to making fouls on the Jamaican international. In the end, he would be satisfied with the outcome of this challenging encounter, particularly after getting an assist and posting top-notch numbers.
Thiago Silva's game by numbers vs. West Ham:
93% pass accuracy
115 touches
8 duels won
4 accurate long balls
3 tackles
2 interceptions
1 assist
0x dribbled pastMade important contributions at both ends of the pitch. pic.twitter.com/MAYPmpq96U
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 3, 2022
Kalidou Koulibaly: 5/10
If anyone thought Koulibaly would offer the same surging displays Rudiger did, then they might be mistaken as things stand. The Senegalese international was steady at the back but did not offer much with the ball at his feet.
Reece James: 5.5/10
James was a force on the right wing, often finding space to operate on the flanks. His final ball was problematic, but he was a threat all game against the Hammers.
Conor Gallagher: 4/10
To the surprise of many, Gallagher returned to the starting lineup, but his timid display was no coincidence. The English midfielder is still gaining a foothold in Thomas Tuchel’s side, and it seems like he might take plenty more time to cement his place.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 3.5/10
Loftus-Cheek can count himself lucky to not have been sent off in this game. However, after picking up an early yellow, he could not impose himself on the opponent, which seemed to have limited his game.
Mateo Kovacic: 4/10
Kovacic should not be happy with a rather timid display when given the keys to the midfield. The Croat failed to exert his influence on the pitch, as the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek outclassed him in the middle of the park.
Marc Cucurella: 4/10
Cucurella tried desperately to assert himself into the game and made decent runs on the flanks but lacked the impetus to help his team positively.
Three more points in the bag ? pic.twitter.com/LxmUq2BYy4
— Marc Cucurella (@cucurella3) September 3, 2022
Christian Pulisic: 4/10
Tuchel afforded Pulisic a start, but the attacker failed to take his chance. The USMNT international barely threatened the opposition’s box, constantly buzzing around the edge. He has to perform better to help his team and himself or see himself waver off in a sea of irrelevance.
Raheem Sterling: 5.5/10
One could say Sterling was Chelsea’s best attacker in the context of the entire game; the winger did make some space for himself during the clash. He lacked the end product, and he might look to improve from here on.
SUBSTITUTES
Armando Broja: 6/10
Broja entered the pitch with a loud cheer from the fans, and the excitement showed in his performance. The Albanian international caused problems late on for the Hammers and will be hoping for a more prominent role after signing that new long-term deal.
Mason Mount: 5/10
Mount offered fresh legs in the attack but remained off colour, as has been the case all season.
The control, the megs! ? pic.twitter.com/DN0W0vRaE6
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 3, 2022
Ben Chilwell: 7/10
Chilwell changed the game’s outcome after coming on with an expertly taken equaliser. His presence on the left flank instead of Cucurella instantly made Chelsea much more dangerous than they were all game.
Kai Havertz: 7/10
Havertz barely had an impact until he did, as the German found the space to slot home a late winner.
Jorginho: 5/10
Jorginho replaced Loftus-Cheek to gain more control of the midfield and did a decent job after coming on.
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski: 5/10
After a game where he barely had anything to do, thanks to Chelsea’s toothless attacking forays, the Pole’s decision-making for Chilwell’s equaliser was uncalled for. Ultimately, it may have cost his team all three points as they made the short trip back home empty-handed.
Vladimir Coufal: 6/10
Coufal felt comfortable handling the threat and runs of Cucurella on the flank but rarely made runs into the final third to add an extra attacking layer for his side. Beyond that, it was a standard display.
Thilo Kehrer: 6/10
Kehrer’s good display throughout the game was undone by his lapse in concentration, leading to the equalising goal. Otherwise, the German defender seems to be growing into his role at West Ham, and performing in a big game like this would give him more confidence.
Kurt Zouma: 7/10
Zouma was a rock at the back, although a moment of confusion with Fabianski may have undone his hard work. Overall, the Frenchman stood form to Chelsea’s fluidity, although he will be disappointed with the outcome of the game amid all the VAR controversy.
Emerson Palmieri: 6/10
Returning to Stamford Bridge seems to have pumped up Emerson, who had a good afternoon. The former Chelsea defender was disciplined on the flank and provided an outlet to carry the ball forward whenever afforded the chance.
"An absolute disgrace."
"Scandalous."
Declan Rice and David Moyes were furious with the VAR decision that ruled out West Ham's goal at Chelsea ?#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/7YRgtuYMHG
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 3, 2022
Declan Rice: 7/10
Rice is undoubtedly returning to his best after the first few games with a top-notch midfield display. The England international kept the Chelsea midfielders at an arm’s length and never allowed them to impose their influence on the game. In the end, like all West Ham stars, he will be disappointed with the game’s outcome.
Tomas Soucek: 7/10
Soucek was top-notch in his midfield actions, especially his defensive work by cutting out several build-ups. He was also supreme in the air and intervened hard whenever needed.
Lucas Paqueta: 5/10
Paqueta got his first quality taste of English football against a big side, but he seemed anonymous in the first period. In parts of the second half, he was able to create half chances and carry the ball but will take this as a learning and adapting exercise than anything.
Jarrod Bowen: 5/10
Bowen continued to struggle to impose himself in the final third and was a bit unlucky with the decision to disallow Cornet’s late goal for his role in the foul adjudged by VAR.
Pablo Fornals: 4.5/10
Fornals could not bring momentum from the last two games into this one, as he struggled for relevance. Apart from a shot from a distance, the Spaniard could not impose himself on the game. Moreover, dropping deep to collect the ball did not work for him, and he was outclassed on the wings by James.
Michail Antonio: 6/10
Michail Antonio again proving his worth to West Ham to put them 1-0 at Chelsea!
Not going to give up his place to Scamacca without a fight… ?#CHEWHU pic.twitter.com/Vj0gALNi7Y
— BettingOdds (@BettingOddsUK) September 3, 2022
Barring the moment when he scored the goal, Antonio was not exactly a threat to Chelsea. He did impose himself with his physicality and ousted the likes of Fofana and Silva; he needed to create more danger in the box than he did.
SUBSTITUTES
Said Benrahma: 5/10
It is harsh to say Benrahma did not have an impact, as the attacker brought about freshness in the final third lacking before his arrival.
Angelo Ogbonna: 5/10
Moyes wanted to protect the point and get a draw at all costs, but Ogbonna’s arrival could not change the outcome.
Maxwel Cornet: 6/10
Cornet had two dangerous moments, one that hit the post while the other was a disallowed goal in controversial circumstances.
