For West Ham United, this new Premier League season brings the opportunity to get back on track. The last campaign was one that David Moyes and his charges will be keen to forget, and while glory in the Conference League helped paper over some of the domestic disappointment, the aim this time around will be to re-establish themselves in the top half of the Premier League table and improve their status in the odds on the Premier League.
The recent 3-1 win over Chelsea at the London Stadium represented the perfect statement of intent. After a credible 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth on the opening day, West Ham were presented with a tricky first home match of the season, but they fed off the fervor of the crowd and produced a sensational performance.
From the first minute, West Ham looked up for the fight. They were pressing Chelsea well, forcing Mauricio Pochettino’s side into mistakes. The visitors looked unsure of themselves, and West Ham took full advantage, with Nayef Aguerd rising highest to nod home the opening goal after just seven minutes.
The London Stadium was bouncing, but Chelsea began to settle into the game and look dangerous. As the initial adrenaline wore off for West Ham, cracks started to appear in their backline, and this was exposed with deadly effect by Carney Chukwuemeka, who cut inside from the left and fired a rasping strike past Alphonse Areola in the Hammers goal.
The next goal was always likely to be crucial, and Chelsea spurned a glorious chance to take the lead. The Blues were presented with a penalty after a foul on Raheem Sterling by Tomas Soucek, but Enzo Fernandez’s strike was saved brilliantly by Areola, sparking jubilation amongst the home crowd. It was a welcome boost for Moyes’ men going into the half-time, as Chelsea had taken full control of proceedings by this stage.
The second half saw West Ham come out with increased drive and determination, and it wasn’t long before they regained the lead in emphatic style. James Ward-Prowse’s sweeping through ball found Michail Antonio, whose venomous drive from the edge of the box nestled sweetly in the bottom corner.
New signing Ward-Prowse made a massive impact on his West Ham debut, providing two assists and the kind of metronomic midfield presence the Hammers have been crying out for since they lost Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier in the transfer window, a story that dominated the Premiership news. But the former Southampton man pulled the strings in midfield, and even after Aguerd saw red for a second yellow card, West Ham were able to keep control as best as they could.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser, but none was forthcoming, and a third for West Ham on the break always felt inevitable. It duly arrived from the penalty spot, as new Blues signing Moises Caicedo hauled down Emerson Palmieri. Up stepped Lucas Paqueta, who made no mistake and applied the icing to West Ham’s cake as a 3-1 win was sealed.
“I thought today was great,” Moyes reflected. “Let’s be fair; Chelsea will be in the top four at the end of the season and we’ve just beaten them at home. So we’ve got to put that in perspective. We’re still regrouping a bit and getting ready, and we’ve still got a bit of work to do before I would say we’re completely ready. But I’m glad we got that win today. They’re important points with the run of games we’ve got.”
