Chelsea produced a storming battle at West Ham to win the first Premier League of the season. Cole Palmer retreated in a warm-up and shook the blues with a stunning, fast attack from Lucas Paketa, responded quickly as Joa Pedro headed for Mark Cukrera’s flick.
With a desperate start, Hammer striker Niklas Fulkrag scored the goal after a VAR check before Pedro was impressed again, crossing Pedro Neto round to clear the house. Estebao then passed the two defenders, setting up Enzo Fernandez and tapping to make it 3-1, urging home fans to leave. After the break, Moises Kayseko and Trevor Charova both hit defensive errors, scoring from close range and completing the defeat.
Express Sports Rate Chelsea Player…
Chelsea Player Rating (4-2-3-1):
Robert Sanchez 5: The strike from Pacta was spectacular, but Sanchez should have done better, followed the wrong path and caught a momentary position. The distribution is patchy again, and I’m not satisfied yet.
Malo Gusto 6: Improved after a slow start and won some good crossings, but his final ball was missing.
Trevor Chalobah 7: The night was wearing, and there was little pressure on him. The home side produced a slow gust of wind and stayed firmly when he didn’t make a mistake with his goal.
Tosin Adarabioyo 7: Like his centre-back partner, he had time to choose a pass, but one important second half clearance dealt with rare moments of danger.
Marc Cucurella 7: Losing the man at Fulkrug’s goal, but Var saves him. Apart from that, the normal full action display went smoothly to link with Neto before him.
Moises Caiceto 8: West Ham struggled to get grips in the middle so he still has an impact as ever. Keeper Mads Hermansen flaps his wings on the cross and then he maintains his composure to cleverly finish his quaintness.
Enzo Fernandez 8: Two of his corners led the goal and won one of them with a run that was perfectly timed in the area. Two seconds may have stepped in the second half.
Esteavo 8: Still a raw talent, but an exciting talent. Before teeing Fernandez, he swung comfortably past the two defenders, but should close the display with a goal. When Reece James played it, he took too many touches.
Pedro Neto 9: Quiet before his goals, then superior. The danger of attack and willingness to work on one 40-meter run showed Aaron Wanbisaka Cross. It was everywhere.
Joao Pedro 9: High quality display. Long before West Ham folded, he headed towards his side level, then showed real pace and quality, providing a moment of Neto. It looks like a strong signature.
Liam Delap 8: Worked hard, stretched the ball well and was involved in building up Fernandez’s goal. You will be disappointed that you got off an hour later, and now you will need to win yourself.
submarine:
Jorrel Hato (for Cucurella, 69) 5: Should have been more comfortable for 21 minutes to soften him into British football, but was booked unnecessarily due to Jarrod Bowen’s foul.
Wesley Fofana (for Chalobah, 69) 6: Like Hato, the game was rarely tested for leaving late.
Reece James (Gusto, 69) 7: Riding the ball, one racking pass should lead to Esteabo’s goal.
Jamie Gittens (for Esteavo, 77) 5: I had a hard time joining.
Andrey Santos (for Delap, 62) 6: I took a lot of some good positions, but some crosses were easily cleared.
