2024-09-21 20:15:03
Chelsea produced a strong performance to capitalise on an abject West Ham United showing and climb into the Premier League’s top four.
An early double from Nicolas Jackson set the visitors on course before Cole Palmer added a third in the second half to make certain of victory for Enzo Maresca’s side. After an unsettled start to the season amid off-field chaos and on-field questions, this was a third win on the bounce for Chelsea as they continue to show signs of real promise under their new manager. Jadon Sancho, making his first start, again impressed while the sometimes profligate Jackson took both of his goals nicely.
It was a rather more fretful afternoon for Julen Lopetegui, the West Ham boss casting a frustrated figure on the touchline. Midfielder Guido Rodriguez was hooked after just 35 minutes as Lopetegui tried unsuccessfully to spark his side into life. Audible boos were heard at half time while plenty of home fans headed for the exit with 15 minutes still to play after another lacklustre performance.
Re-live all the action from the London Stadium in our live blog below:
West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE
-
Chelsea climb into top four with win over lacklustre West Ham
-
Nicolas Jackson strikes twice as Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho impress in win
-
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
-
47’ GOAL! Jackson slides through Palmer, who rifles a high finish past Areola [WHU 0-3 CHE]
-
18’ GOAL! Caicedo plays Jackson clean through and the striker finishes with aplomb [WHU 0-2 CHE]
-
10’ CLOSE! Palmer sweeps wide from a quick counter [WHU 0-1 CHE]
-
4’ GOAL! Jackson sneaks behind the defence to score an early goal [WHU 0-1 CHE]
Nicolas Jackson brace helps Chelsea ease to victory as West Ham fans turn on Julen Lopetegui
14:49 , Chris Wilson
Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer secured another away win for Chelsea and raised serious questions about West Ham‘s direction under new boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Spaniard looked furious as his expensively-assembled side crashed to a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to their London rivals.
Jackson scored twice, the first within three minutes of kick-off, and Palmer added a third just moments into the second half.
It means all Lopetegui has to show for a £120m outlay on nine summer signings since replacing David Moyes is three home defeats, a scrappy win at Crystal Palace and a last-gasp draw with Fulham.
Just five matches in and the London Stadium crowd – many of whom wanted Moyes out despite the Scot overseeing the club’s most successful period in decades – turned on the new manager midway through the second half.
Chelsea ease to victory as West Ham fans turn on Lopetegui
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
15:10 , Chris Wilson
Lopetegui says that West Ham “suffered very early on, [with] two goals”.
“If you want to compete you have to be consistent. After this it is more difficult.
“We had more chances than them in the first half, we had one penalty, maybe two, and we said that one goal is going to be key in changing the match, but after we conceded a goal too.
“[We’re] very sad, very disappointed, for the fans above all, but we know that the league is long, and we have to look forward and have to change things.”
15:02 , Chris Wilson
Enzo Maresca is speaking to TNT now, and he says he is “very happy”.
“They are a very good team, they have some fantastic players, but overall it think we deserved to win the game.
“It’s quite easy, if they [the players] don’t buy [into it] they don’t play!
“They have been open minded, we have been a bit intense, but this is the moment when I need to insist.”
He adds that he is most happy with “Nicolas and Cole, because the way we prepared was to set them against three players. [They scored] the goals but especially the work off the ball.”
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:57 , Chris Wilson
Bowen is speaking to TNT now, and he says that he doesn’t think “we were ever in the game really”.
“I think the goals they scored were every easy, almost gifts. You have to be switched on at every moment, and they punished us.[We’re] disappointed all round.”
He says that “a number of things” went wrong.
“As a player you have to lead and rally everyone together, but I just thought we gave them too much respect in the end. I dont think we did enough today to punish them.
“We came out second half, almost nothing to lose, and we concede a goal after a minute.
“[It was] a disappointing day, but the game is done, we accept the defeat.
“The games are coming thick and fast.It’s still early in the season, still a lot of games to go, and now it’s about rallying together as a group.”
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:51 , Chris Wilson
Since making his debut for Chelsea in September 2023, Cole Palmer has contributed to more goals in the Premier League than any other player, with 39 G/A. Haaland is next up, with 38.
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:48 , Chris Wilson
Jackson adds that his confidence is “growing higher with my teammates, they help me a lot and they have confidence in me”
“We keep going. This one is finished and next week we go onto another one.
“The most important thing is for the team to win.
“I am happy to play always. To fight for the team and the team to win is the most important thing.”
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:43 , Chris Wilson
Palmer and Jackson spoke to TNT after the final whistle, with the Englishman saying that the London Stadium is “a tough place to come”
“A good three points, we are happy.
“Everybody knows he [Nicolas Jackson] is a top player – he needs to keep going. The Chelsea fans and players rate him highly – we know what he is capable of.
“There will always be noise, we try to block it out and listen to the manager. We have a good manager and it can only help us to get better.”
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:38 , Chris Wilson
While we wait for some reaction, below are the 3pm kick-offs for today.
Aston Villa v Wolves
Fulham v Newcastle
Southampton v Ipswich
Tottenham v Brentford
Leicester City v Everton
Liverpool v Bournemouth
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:33 , Chris Wilson
FT: West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:27 , Chris Wilson
A dominant display from Chelsea that puts them into second place in the league for now.
The away side were sharp and clinical when they needed to be, and in truth it was a surprisingly easy result for them.
For West Ham, it was an abject performance that was seriously poor in some areas, with some truly terrible defending. The attacking play was better in some places, but you really have to question what Lopetegui was doing today.
FULL-TIME! West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:24 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
Tosin blocks Kudus’ shot on the edge of the box and Chelsea counter for the final time, and it ends with Felix driving a low shot just wide of the near post.
The final whistle goes and Chelsea take the three points in this London derby.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:23 , Chris Wilson
92 mins
Chelsea get yet another chance to counter but Felix’s pass to Neto is a little wayward.
Soler is booked for a late challenge on Cucurella, and there’s a VAR review for a red card, but it’s dismissed by the ref.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:20 , Chris Wilson
90 mins
There’ll be four minutes of added time here.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:18 , Chris Wilson
88 mins
This match was decided a while ago and that is reflecting in the final 10 minutes of play, with neither side really looking like scoring now. Chelsea try to counter, but Soler brings down Felix.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:16 , Chris Wilson
87 mins
Bowen lays it off to Soler on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:15 , Chris Wilson
86 mins
A bit of pinball in the Chelsea box ends with the offside flag going up anyway. Plenty of empty seats at the London Stadium now.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:13 , Chris Wilson
83 mins
The match is petering out as we approach the final few minutes. Enzo Fernandez is replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:11 , Chris Wilson
80 mins
Shouts for another penalty for West Ham, but nothing given before Creswell swings in an inviting early cross that runs across goal and past Soucek and Bowen.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:09 , Chris Wilson
78 mins
Another Chelsea corner is delivered, this one by Neto, but it’s eventually cleared as West Ham fans begin to exit the stadium in their droves. An alarming performance, with a huge lack of intensity from their side.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:05 , Chris Wilson
75 mins
Another promising Chelsea counter as it’s flicked to Madueke on the right wing, but his is cleared away for a corner.
Caicedo ends up clipping in the cross to the back post and it’s headed back across goal to Nkunku, who’s unmarked, but he can only direct his header too close to a scrambling Areola.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:03 , Chris Wilson
72 mins
The home side bring on Aaron Creswell and Andy Irving for Paqueta and Emerson.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:01 , Chris Wilson
71 mins
Kudus tries to lead a West Ham counter but he’s scythed down by Cucurella, who is booked.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
14:00 , Chris Wilson
69 mins
Kudus gets in behind the Chelsea defence, but his cut-back cross is caught by Sanchez. West Ham attack again, but once more it’s a poor cross straight into the hands of the Chelsea ‘keeper.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:58 , Chris Wilson
68 mins
More activity now! Two nice combinations in as many minutes from Chelsea as Fernandez lays it off to Caicedo, whose shit is deflected behind.
Felix delivers the corner, but Areola punches it away, though Chelsea win another corner almost straight away.
Fernandez takes this one short, and it ends with Felix floating a ball towards the back post, with the offside flag eventually raised.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:56 , Chris Wilson
66 mins
A lull in activity here, probably due to the changes made by both sides upsetting the rhythm of the game.
A good Chelsea move ends with Felix smashing a half-volley into the side-netting.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:53 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
Antonio wins another corner as Chelsea prepare more changes. Once again, out of nowhere, Chelsea clear it and break, and they have a three-on-one. It goes wide to Madueke, and he bursts into the box before firing a shot that’s too close to Areola.
Palmer and Jackson come off for Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:51 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
Disasi’s first major involvement is to head Wan-Bissaka’s cross behind for a corner. Bowen swings it in, but Sanchez collects easily. Chelsea counter, with plenty of space and the numerical advantage, but Jackson and Madueke can’t make the most of it.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:48 , Chris Wilson
58 mins
Wan-Bissaka clips a cross towards the back post that Kudus hits back across goal, but it’s cut out at the last, before Soucek fires at Sanchez from distance.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:46 , Chris Wilson
56 mins
Soler overlaps with Bowen and clips in a cross towards Antonio, but it’s headed away. The home side come again, with Kudus trying to send it long to Antonio, but Sanchez is there to intercept.
Fofana and Sancho come off for Axel Disasi and Pedro Neto.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:43 , Chris Wilson
53 mins
Paqueta dribbles past a couple of men in the box but can’t get the shot away under pressure, before Palmer is fouled on the break.
Michail Antonio and Carlos Soler replace Summerville and Alvarez.
The home crowd boo as Summerville is replaced.
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:41 , Chris Wilson
50 mins
West Ham try to mount a decent attack but Paqeuta’s cross is cut out by Tosin, before Bowen gets onto the clipped ball over the top and fizzes a half-volley straight at Sanchez at the near post.
GOAL! West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
13:38 , Chris Wilson
47mins
GOAL!
Chelsea counter quickly, started by Nicolas Jackson, with the striker holding the ball up in his own half. He makes the one-two with Jackson, who drives towards the box before slipping in a through ball into the path of Palmer. The England winger is on his weaker foot but it’s no problem, as he rifles a high finish past the ‘keeper.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:36 , Chris Wilson
46 mins
No changes from either side at half-time. West Ham attack but it’s cut out.
KICK-OFF! West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:34 , Chris Wilson
Back underway in east London.
HT: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:33 , Chris Wilson
Both sides are emerging from the tunnel again at the London Stadium, so we’ll be back in action soon.
HT: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:28 , Chris Wilson
A poor first half from the home side overall, with the defending for the two goals among some of the worst you will see this season.
In attack, they managed to create some decent opportunities, but this game has got away from them and their defensive fragility looks like it could be revealed again at any moment.
For Chelsea, they’ll go into the break absolutely delighted, but also a little confused as to how they’re 2-0 up while barely having to take their foot off the gas.
The home fans will be hoping for a way back into the game, but it’s difficult to see one at this point, even if Chelsea do sometimes look fragile in defence themselves.
13:25 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:19 , Chris Wilson
A free-kick almost finds its way to Kilman, but the home side win the corner, which is eventually cleared.
The referee blows the whistle and the hosts are booed off at half-time.
A poor performance in the first 25 minutes, with some ridiculous defending, and though they got back into it a bit in the last few minutes, it looks like too little too late.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:17 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
Mavropanos heads the free-kick wide, and there’ll be two minutes of added time here.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:17 , Chris Wilson
44 mins
Madueke is in behind down the right and he clips in a cross, but there was nobody there to meet it. Summerville leads a West Ham counter, and he wins a free-kick on the edge of the area.
Fofana is booked for dragging him down.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:15 , Chris Wilson
42 mins
Sanchez and Kudus fight for a ball and the West Ham man wins it, but he can only hook a cross well past his teammates before the home side concede a free-kick.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:13 , Chris Wilson
40 mins
Great work again from Kudus to skip past Cucurella in the box and cross it t Soucek, who rifles a low shot straight at Sanchez.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:11 , Chris Wilson
37 mins
Soucek replaces Guido Rodriguez.
Bowen is fouled on halfway, but West Ham can’t build anything as Paqueta runs it out of play.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:08 , Chris Wilson
36 mins
Summerville leads the home side’s counter as he almost gets on to the end of the through ball from Wan-Bissaka, but it runs to Sanchez.
Tomas Soucek is preparing to come on for the home side.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:06 , Chris Wilson
34 mins
Once again Chelsea get into the West Ham box too easily down the left, but despite good feet from Sancho they can’t make anything of it.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:05 , Chris Wilson
32 mins
DISALLOWED GOAL!
West Ham think they’ve pulled one back after some great play, but Kudus was well offside.
Nice combinations on the edge of the Chelsea box before the Ghanaian is slipped through, but he had strayed offside before rifling the shot past Sanchez.
The home side have grown into the game in the last five minutes or so, and arguably should’ve had a penalty too!
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:03 , Chris Wilson
29 mins
The commentators say they are ‘surprised’ that hasn’t been given, VAR went with the original decision from referee Sam Barrott. VAR says the contact was ‘fleeting’.
West Ham come again as Bowen sends in a corner, but it’s headed away.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
13:00 , Chris Wilson
26 mins
Good play from West Ham as they clip it wide to Kudus, who brings it down on his chest and cuts in before hitting a deflected shot to Sanchez.
Moments later there are shouts for a penalty as it looks like Summerville is pulled down, but the ref waves it away. VAR are looking at it, but Chelsea clear.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
12:57 , Chris Wilson
25 mins
Good defensive work from Caicedo to stop the run from Kudus, but the home side win the ball back once more. This is their first little period of sustained pressure.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
12:55 , Chris Wilson
23 mins
A good defensive header from Colwill gives West Ham a corner after their first good bit of attacking play so far.
Bowen swings it in, but both attempts are headed away before he slips a ball into the box for Paqueta. The Brazilian returns the pass, but Bowen fires well wide after attempting a first-time side-footed finish.
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
12:53 , Chris Wilson
20 mins
West Ham go on the offensive and manage to win a corner, but you’re already wondering whether it’s too little too late.
The ball in is headed away, but the home side keep possession until it eventually runs to Sanchez once more.
GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
12:51 , Chris Wilson
17 mins
GOAL! Another one for the away side! So simple once again.
Enzo lays it off to Caicedo in the centre circle, and the Ecuadorian plays a first time pass that immediately splits the West Ham defence. Jackson is clean through again, and he surges into the box before slipping an accomplished finish past Areola.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:48 , Chris Wilson
15 mins
The set-piece is taken by Paqueta, but it’s straight at the Chelsea wall. They keep possession but are forced backwards, until Paqueta tries a clipped through ball that runs to Sanchez.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:46 , Chris Wilson
13 mins
West Ham are struggling to settle here, and they don’t look comfortable when defending or in possession.
Another long ball forward goes straight to a Chelsea defender, and the away side are happy to keep possession near their box briefly, before it’s fired wide to Palmer and then Madueke, but the attack breaks down.
Emerson leads the counter but he’s so isolated, though he does well to win a free-kick near the edge of the area.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:43 , Chris Wilson
10 mins
CLOSE!
Sanchez comes to meet the long ball and Chelsea just about manage to clear.
The away side build from the back, with Cucurella sliding in a pass to Jackson in the channel. The striker darts inside and squares it to Palmer, who sweeps a shot just wide of the far post.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:40 , Chris Wilson
7 mins
Great play from Bowen to turn Tosin on halfway, and he wins a free-kick. It’s spread wide for Kudus, and he whips in a lovely early cross that just creeps over the head of Summerville.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:38 , Chris Wilson
6 mins
That goal was almost surreal. Jackson was pretty much clean through from halfway! Almost looks like he couldn’t even believe it was that easy.
The home side look to get back into it straight away but the attack breaks down.
Chelsea come again, but Sancho’s pass in-behind runs to Areola.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
12:37 , Chris Wilson
4 mins
GOAL! West Ham have fallen asleep! What on Earth has happened there?
Chelsea win a free-kick near halfway and Jackson takes it quickly. He exchanges passes before making the run in-behind the defence, and he’s in acres of space as he surges into the box.
It’s a tight angle but he produces a great finish to sneak it past Areola.
West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
12:35 , Chris Wilson
3 mins
Palmer is clipped early on but the referee plays advantage. West Ham maybe giving an indication of what Chelsea are in for there.
The home side get their first chance to counter and it’s led by Kudus. He drives into the box and hits a half-cross, half-shot straight at Sanchez.
West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
12:34 , Chris Wilson
2 mins
Not a single starter or sub from today’s squad was involved the last time Chelsea won here, in 2021.
The away side have started fairly confidently though, knocking it around the back with plenty of composure.
KICK-OFF! West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
12:31 , Chris Wilson
KICK-OFF!
The home side get us underway at the London Stadium.
West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE
12:25 , Chris Wilson
Not far from kick-off in east London, with both sides about to take their place in the tunnel.
Maresca speaks to TNT
12:23 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca tells TNT that it “nice to be back” at West Ham, where he “spent almost two years” as assistant manager, “with some good players and good human beings.
“For sure the results are always important. The main thing is to see how the team progress and adapt. I think we’re going in the right direction.”
On Jadon Sancho starting, he says: “It was not simple [choice] because we have more players. But we decided on Jadon and hope it is the right decision.”
Chelsea match facts
12:20 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea could win their opening three away games of a Premier League season for the first time since 2017/18.
The Blues’ 1-0 win at Bournemouth last weekend ended a run of 20 consecutive away matches in all competitions without a clean sheet.
In 2024, only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have earned more points in the Premier League than Chelsea’s 42.
The Blues have been shown 16 yellow cards this season, more than any other side in the top flight. Eight of those came in their last game against Bournemouth.
Christopher Nkunku has currently scored more goals for Chelsea (6) than he has made starts (5).
Match facts
12:15 , Chris Wilson
West Ham could begin a season with three straight home league defeats for the first time if they were to lose today. The Hammers have faced a league-high 73 shots across their opening four matches, and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 home league games since a 0-0 draw versus Brighton in January.
Lopetegui’s side have won only two of their 12 Premier League home fixtures in 2024 (D6, L4), beating Brentford 4-2 and Luton 3-1.
The Hammers are the first club to play their opening five matches of a Premier League season in London since Charlton Athletic in 2006-07. Their first league game outside the capital isn’t until early November.
Michail Antonio could become the first player to reach 100 Premier League goal involvements for West Ham today – he currently has 67 goals and 32 assists.
West Ham v Chelsea head-to-head
12:10 , Chris Wilson
These two sides have met a total of 122 times, with the first meeting taking place in 1923. Chelsea have won 55 matches, with West Ham winning 44 and 23 ending as draws.
Chelsea have won 30 of the 56 Premier League meetings between the two – they’ve only beaten Tottenham more often in the division (35 times).
The home team won both Premier League matches last season: 3-1 for West Ham at the London Stadium and 5-0 for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
12:05 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea start WSL season and new era with win
12:00 , Chris Wilson
Their men are in action this afternoon but Chelsea’s women can kick back and relax having got the job done, just about, at Kingsmeadow last night. Jamie Braidwood was there to watch the start of the Sonia Bompastor era.
Chelsea require an unexpected hero to get Sonia Bompastor era off to winning start
Enzo Maresca backs players over strike threat
11:50 , Chris Wilson
Footballers are playing too many games and not enough is being done to protect them, according to Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca.
In the same week that Manchester City’s Rodri suggested fotballers could strike in response to fixture congestion and a lack of consultation from governing bodies, Maresca said that refusing to play “could be an idea” and hinted he believes players would be right to take action against the number of games they are being made to play.
Chelsea and City are due to take part in FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup in the United States next summer, further limiting the amount of downtime players will get in between seasons following Euro 2024 and ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Asked whether he felt there were too many games in the current football calendar, Maresca said: “Yes, no doubt.
“In terms of games, it’s too much. I don’t think we protect players. We can say what we think and for me it’s completely wrong the amount of games that we have.
“The only ones that can do something are the players and we can help them. In the last two weeks some of the players have tried to explain what they think. I think it’s a good starting point.
“Some of them have said (they could strike). I think it could be an idea for them.”
Rodri warns players could strike over increase in fixtures: ‘We are close to that’
Julen Lopetegui not pre-occupied by potential Lucas Paqueta betting ban
11:40 , Chris Wilson
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has not spoken with Lucas Paqueta about the FA gambling charges and possible suspension hanging over the Brazilian, and admitted he is reluctant to load too much creative responsibility on to the playmaker after a muted beginning to the season.
The 27-year-old is facing a lengthy ban if found guilty of breaching regulations relating to “spot fixing” in four Premier League matches during the 2022/23 season, when it is alleged he deliberately got booked in order to influence the betting market.
The Hammers have made a mixed start to life under Lopetegui with just one win in their first four league fixtures, and are yet to pick up a point at home ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Chelsea at the London Stadium.
The limited impact made so far by Paqueta, whose only goal involvement came via a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, has not helped as the former Real Madrid and Spain coach seeks to transform the team’s playing style from the defensive football favoured by predecessor David Moyes into a more expressive brand of play.
The drawn-out nature of the FA’s disciplinary process means the former Lyon winger is likely to be available to play for much of this season, and the manager said he is satisfied with what he has seen so far.
“I’m happy with his behaviour and his commitment,” said Lopetegui. “He’s working very hard, he’s trying to understand what we want. We’re trying to help him to be better and better. He’s an important player.
“I don’t want to put this kind of responsibility on one player. He has to do the best he can about the offensive phase and defensive phase.
“When he is focused on the defensive work he is a much better player and we try to encourage him to always be focused in a defensive way as well as an offensive way.
“He managed (the betting scandal) in a good way. We try to help him, because until now he is one player more.
“But we don’t talk about (the charges). We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this.”
Ben Chilwell handed Chelsea lifeline as Enzo Maresca considers him for selection
11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Chilwell has been handed a Chelsea lifeline after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he is under consideration for selection after returning to training with the first team.
The England defender appeared to have no future at Stamford Bridge in August when he was not included in the core group of 22 or 23 players the Italian considered to be his first-team squad, and was told he could leave.
However, he has been named amongst the club’s 25-man squad eligible to play in the Premier League, and ahead of Saturday’s trip to face West Ham Maresca said the situation had changed.
Ben Chilwell handed Chelsea lifeline as Enzo Maresca considers him for selection
Chelsea team news
11:27 , Chris Wilson
Enzo Maresca had made three changes to the side that snuck a 1-0 win against Bournemouth last week. In defence, Axel Disasi drops out for summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo, with Wesley Fofana moving to right-back.
Captiain Enzo Fernandez returns to midfield in place of Renato Veiga, while Pedro Neto drops out for fellow summer signing Jadon Sancho, who got the assist last week along with the man of the match award.
West Ham team news
11:22 , Chris Wilson
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has made just two changes to the side that drew to Fulham last weekend. Kudus moves into the striker position, with Michail Antonio replaced by Crysencio Summerville.
Tomas Soucek makes way for Lucas Paqueta as an attacking midfielder.
West Ham line-up
11:19 , Chris Wilson
West Ham XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Rodriguez; Bowen, Paqueta, Sumerville; Kudus.
Subs: Fabianski, Creswell, Soler, Coufal, Antonio, Ings, Todibo, Soucek, Irving.
Line-ups
11:17 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Disasi, Neto, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku.
Team news on the way…
11:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A 12.30 kick off means a bit of morning Premier League team news – we will very soon find out this afternoon’s combatants at the London Stadium. Will Enzo Maresca stick with a settled side? Does Julen Lopetegui have a curveball up his sleeve?
Enzo Maresca urges his Chelsea players to ignore external noise
11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Enzo Maresca told his Chelsea players to continue to shut out external noise after they secured a second Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth last weekend.
The Blues remained in the headlines during the September international break after reports emerged of a rift between co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
It is the latest off-field problem for Maresca to handle after he fielded various questions over the future of several players during a busy summer of transfer activity.
Enzo Maresca urges his Chelsea players to ignore external noise
West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE
06:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A very good morning and welcome along to The Independent’s live coverage of the opening clash of the Premier League weekend. It’s to the east of London we head as West Ham prepare to host Chelsea in an intriguing little lunch-time number to whet the appetite ahead of a busy weekend in the English top flight.
Kick off is at 12.30pm BST.
