Chelsea did it the hard way as they came from a goal down to beat West Ham United 2-1 in an entertaining London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto’s equaliser cancelled out Jarrod Bowen’s opener before Aaron Wan-Bissaka put a Cole Palmer cross-shot through his own net to give Enzo Maresca’s side an important three points that elevates them into the top four of the Premier League table.
The hosts did not have things all their own way, but they had the better of the first-half opportunities as Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez both went close.
On his return from a foot injury that has kept him out of action for the entirety of 2025, Bowen took advantage of some slack defending from Levi Colwill to steal in behind and slot home, but it was a smash and grab from the Hammers, managed by former Chelsea manager Graham Potter.
When the second half was only six minutes old, Maresca decided he had had enough and brought on Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu.
His choice would prove to be a brilliant one, as the Portuguese was on hand to tap home after Neto’s first inswinger had created chaos in the visitors’ penalty area and he equalized from close range.
After a deflection off Wan-Bissaka, Palmer’s skillful move into the penalty area and subsequent digging out of an attempted cross that looped over Alphonse Areola’s frantic clutch gave Chelsea the lead at the 74-minute mark.
Chelsea held on for the win, securing the league double over the Hammers this season, but West Ham wasn’t done yet, as Mohammed Kudus headed a magnificent Andy Irving pass against the post.
