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Second half performance 'everything I want to see' says Rosenior

Liam Rosenior continues a promising run of form as his Chelsea side ran out 3-2 winners against West Ham - after going into the half 2-0 down.

Both of the Hammers' wide men got on the scoresheet in the first half; Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville got the better of a disorganised Blues defence.

The home side came out much improved in the second half. Joao Pedro kept up his goalscoring form as he halved the deficit before the hour mark, with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez completing the comeback in style.

Chelsea have never won a league game after trailing by two goals or more at half-time, and will now end the day in the top four regardless of other results.

Here is everything head coach Liam Rosenior had to say following the victory:

Rosenior praises 'fight and resilience' in second half

It was very much a game of two halves at the Bridge, as Chelsea's slow and lethargic performance in the first half was transformed into a passionate and energetic comeback in the second half.

In many ways the game felt similar to the Blues' comeback against Napoli in midweek, which ended in the same scoreline. Rosenior's ability to switch up his lineup, tactics and personnel when needed has been a real advantage.

The Chelsea head coach made three substitutes at the midway point, and all three - Joao Pedro, Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana - provided a goal contribution.

On the overall performance of his side, Rosenior said:

"Being honest, individually and collectively, the first-half was nowhere near the level it needed to be.'

"The individuals came off and people will look at that but it was a collective poor performance in the first-half. It was lethargic in the first-half but the second-half was everything I wanted to see.'

"There's a spirit, a fight, a resilience in this group that I really like. I demanded that from the first day. They reacted positively to setbacks. I don't put that just down to the changes I made.'

"Our decision making was really poor in the first-half - we were too far off it. The reaction in the second-half told me I have something really special here."

Squad depth on show

Chelsea made seven changes for this game, following a midweek Champions League journey to Naples, and in anticipation of a Carabao Cup semi final second leg on Tuesday.

Enzo Maresca had struggled to maintain form whilst rotating heavily, and after going 2-0 down in the first half, it seemed his successor was running into the same issue.

On a positive note, for the Chelsea head coach to have such faith in his players, awarding starts to the likes of Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato, is a promising sign, and ensures plenty of rest for key players at the club.

Rosenior spoke highly on Chelsea's depth in quality, saying: "To be in four competitions still, when you're playing every three days, you need a really good squad. I have that.'

"Enzo Fernandez was magnificent for 95 minutes, and we showed in the end what the fans demand in terms of what we give to this club."

He also had plenty of praise for his opponents, who have improved greatly under Nuno EspĂ­rito Santo and caused the Blues plenty of problems with their first half performance:

"West Ham, by the way, were very good as well - I have to give them credit. I wanted to get the first-half team right and the second-half team right, so that is something I will look at."

Fans on board?

Boos rang out around the stadium at half-time, and they were arguably deserved given the performance.

In the midst of their disapproval, Trevoh Chalobah found himself engaged in a vocal fight with a supporter, and shared frustration at the scoreline and first half showing from his teammates.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had a similar experience, and shouted to a group of supporters near the tunnel: "We have 45 minutes to go! Stay relaxed!"

Sanchez proved himself correct at full time, and the cheers and elation from the Stamford Bridge crowd were a nice contrast from the first half mood.

Rosenior had plenty of praise for the home support, saying: "The fans were magnificent in the second-half. I would have booed us in the first-half. Our performance was nowhere near the level it needed to be.

He also leapt to the defence of Chalobah, who has started every Premier League game under the head coach: "At the end of the game, the whole stadium was celebrating his performance. Trevoh was excellent."

The narrow first leg defeat to defeat remains the only blot on Rosenior's record thus far, and he hopes to maintain the strong performances in order to stay in fans' good books: "I hope in time, they will say it's the best decision the club have ever made.'

"They want to win trophies, I want that too. To have six wins from seven games, it's not a bad start."

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