Chelsea delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season as they thrashed rivals West Ham 5-1 at the London Stadium on Friday night, a statement victory made even more impressive by the absence of their injured talisman Cole Palmer. The comprehensive win not only showcased the depth of Enzo Maresca’s squad but also highlighted their attacking firepower and determination to compete at the top level this campaign.
The heavy defeat piled even more pressure on Hammers boss Graham Potter, who is now under increasing scrutiny after back-to-back league losses and a string of unconvincing displays that have frustrated the fans. West Ham, who had started brightly, could not maintain their rhythm once Chelsea responded with intensity and clinical finishing.
The game began with drama as Lucas Paqueta handed the hosts an early lead with a stunning long-range strike that briefly lifted the home supporters. However, Chelsea responded in ruthless fashion. Joao Pedro rose highest to nod in the equaliser, before turning provider with a smart assist for Pedro Neto to give the Blues the lead. Chelsea continued to dominate, with Liam Delap and new teenage sensation Estevao combining beautifully in a flowing move that ended with Neto grabbing his second goal of the night to make it 3-1 before half-time.
After the break, Chelsea showed no signs of slowing down. Moises Caicedo added a fourth with a composed finish from outside the box, and Trevoh Chalobah sealed the rout with a powerful header that left the West Ham defence helpless. The visitors’ relentless energy and sharp attacking play completely tore through West Ham’s backline, exposing major weaknesses that will concern Potter going forward.
Palmer, Chelsea’s leading scorer last season and a key figure in their attack, was a notable absentee after limping out of the warm-up with an apparent injury scare. Despite his absence, Chelsea’s frontline proved devastating, with several players stepping up to fill the void and deliver a performance that underlined their squad depth and attacking options.
For West Ham, the result was nothing short of a disaster. Following their opening-day defeat against newly-promoted Sunderland, the Hammers’ poor start to the campaign has left fans restless. Large sections of the home support were seen leaving the stadium before full-time, voicing their displeasure and openly questioning Potter’s ability to turn the situation around. With mounting pressure and whispers of discontent, the former Chelsea manager is now already being tipped as an early candidate in the Premier League sack race.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will take huge confidence from this emphatic performance. Their fluid attacking play, defensive solidity after the early setback, and ability to win convincingly without Palmer suggest that Maresca’s side are quickly growing into a force to be reckoned with this season.