Chelsea beaten by 10-man Hammers
Chelsea slumped to defeat at the London Stadium, where Moises Caicedo had a woeful debut after being brought on as a second-half substitute.
After Nayef Aguerd’s early opener for West Ham, Carney Chukwuemeka equalised with his first senior goal.
But Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez then had a penalty saved, Chukwuemeka went off injured just before half-time, and Michail Antonio netted early in the second half for the Hammers, who held on after Aguerd was sent off.
And in the final moments, Lucas Paqueta sealed the hosts’ victory with a penalty after new signing Caicedo had brought down ex-Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri.
It leaves the Blues with a draw and a loss from their first two Premier League matches under boss Mauricio Pochettino
James Ward-Prowse, known for his set-piece ability, served up a trademark corner which led to the opening goal just seven minutes into his West Ham debut following his recent move from Southampton.
Chukwuemeka was unable to clear Ward-Prowe’s delivery and Aguerd nodded home at the far post after easily getting away from Conor Gallagher.
But Chukwuemeka made amends by hauling the visitors level with a superb goal just before the half-hour mark.
Former Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma could only prod Ben Chilwell’s pull-back from the left as far as Chukwuemeka, who delightfully sidestepped Tomáš Souček and blasted into the far corner of the net.
Paqueta almost restored West Ham’s lead when his low shot brushed the outside of the post, but otherwise Chelsea looked dominant and were given a golden chance to go ahead when Souček brought down Raheem Sterling just inside the penalty area shortly before half-time.
However, keeper Alphonse Areola kept out Fernandez’s spot-kick and the first half ended on a sour note for Chelsea when Chukwuemeka was helped off after picking up what looked like a nasty knee injury.
And worse followed for them eight minutes after the restart.
After Axel Diasi gave away possession near the halfway line, Ward-Prowse lifted the ball over the top to Antonio, who brushed off Levi Colwill and fired through Diasi’s legs and into the bottom corner.
Seven minutes after Caicedo was introduced on the hour mark, West Ham were reduced to 10 men when Aguerd’s daft challenge on Nicolas Jackson earned the Moroccon a second yellow card.
Chelsea were unable to take advantage – and keeper Robert Sanchez delayed a late Hammers third by denying Pablo Fornals after Caicedo had given the ball away near the edge of his own box.
But Sanchez was unable to rescue his team after another error by Caicedo, whose sloppy foul was punished.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Disasi, Colwill, Silva, Gusto (Burstow 83), Fernandez, Gallagher (Madueke 75), Sterling, Chilwell (Caicedo 60), Chukwuemeka (Mudryk 45), Jackson.
Subs not used: Bergstrom, Cucurella, Ugochukwu, Maatsen, Humphreys.
