Chelsea's comeback victory over West Ham puts them back in the top four.

 

Chelsea's comeback victory over West Ham puts them back in the top four.

At Stamford Bridge, Graham Potter is only familiar with disappointment. Potter was back at the team that fired him after less than seven agonising months as manager, and he watched Chelsea deny his new team two tenacious goals in a close second half. West Ham had the small comfort of knowing that they had given opponents with more resources a worry. They played well and took the lead after Jarrod Bowen corrected a mistake made by Levi Colwill.

Even if Chelsea advanced to the top four with an equaliser from the outstanding Pedro Neto and an own goal from Aaron Wan-Bissaka that was prompted by Cole Palmer, this was not convincing from them. Before a stunning surge overtook an injury-hit West, Enzo Maresca's squad was pale for extended periods of time and annoyance was growing. Tosin Adarabioyo stopped Mohammed Kudus in extra time, but Ham nevertheless mustered enough effort to rally and nearly force an equaliser.

Maresca, who was taken aback to learn that this was the first time Chelsea had triumphed at home after falling down at halftime since 2013, remarked, "I was very happy because I consider tonight the toughest game mentally." "You must exercise patience. We acknowledged our error. You must have mental toughness at that point. We had more room in the second half, and the substitute players performed admirably.

Maybe Chelsea will feel more at ease and the commotion around their team will subside after the transfer window closes. With João Félix heading to Milan, a loan in the works, and Aston Villa agreeing to borrow Axel Disasi for the remainder of the season, there has been an odd atmosphere as deadline day has progressed. Meanwhile, West Ham had to bear the consequences of two years of poor hiring.

The visitors had a threadbare feel with Lucas Paquetá and Edson Álvarez joining the injured contingent and Evan Ferguson not registered after There were two full-backs in their back three, two goalkeepers on a light bench and a first start in midfield for Andy Irving, a 24‑year‑old Scot signed without fanfare from SK Austria Klagenfurt last year.

West Ham still impressed. There were signs of Potter’s ideas taking hold, and a 3-4-2-1 system restricted Chelsea. Their best opening came from a counterattack which ended with Noni Madueke shooting narrowly wide.

Chelsea strained to raise the tempo, with Palmer heavily marked. Marc Cucurella missed with a free header, Enzo Fernández dragged a shot wide, Jadon Sancho curled over and there was concern when Nicolas Jackson went down clutching his hamstring.

Even so, West Ham made an impression. Potter's ideas appeared to be gaining traction, and Chelsea was constrained by a 3-4-2-1 system. Their counterattack, which concluded with Noni Madueke's shot going just wide, was their best opening.

Palmer was closely marked as Chelsea struggled to get up the pace. Enzo Fernández pulled a shot wide, Marc Cucurella missed with a free header, Jadon Sancho curled over, and Nicolas Jackson went down clutching his hamstring, raising concerns.

West Ham gained confidence despite lacking firepower due to the absence of Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, and Niclas Füllkrug. Irving fired back as Kudus threatened. After recovering from a fractured foot, Bowen led the line with strength and dedication, but he was bitten twice when he turned a bend. The skipper of West Ham was denied by Filip Jörgensen.

Fans who were thrilled to see Jörgensen take Robert Sánchez's place cheered him on. However, the Swedish goalkeeper's failure to stop an early cross from Irving was not totally convincing. Chelsea was inviting trouble with her drowsiness and ambiguity.

When Kudus drove Colwill into an indiscreet backpass in the 42nd minute, it was hardly shocking. Bowen surged free to caress a beautiful shot past Jörgensen after the ball ran to him.