FOR ABOUT half an hour this evening, I was a believer again. [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-v-chelsea-claret-and-hughs-team-predictions/) starting on the front foot at home, clearly playing three forwards with a high press- and two advanced wing-backs pushing their opponents back: A refreshing high energy start and it took Chelsea by surprise. Fully deserved, the Irons early lead courtesy of Lucas Paqueta’s swerving left foot shot was fully deserved.
Even after Chelsea equalised, when Fullkrug rifled hime the Hammer’s second, for that sweet period before VAR intervened, we looked capable of competing toe to toe with Chelsea: Until Todibo’s toe got ruled off side . From that moment on it all became familiar, dropping deeper, first Wan Bissaka then Todibo switching off at crucial moments and suddenly the hammers were three one down and looking down and out at half time.
There were, indeed, some positives at half time, even as the Irons were being booed off. Malick-Diouff is one seriously quick player and has so much potential to become a world class wing back. The Hammers did look more organised, Fullkrug looking fit and feisty for his 45 minutes until substituted for Callum Wilson at the break: Freddie Potts also appearing at half time for his debut in the Premier League.
By 54 minutes, courtesy of a Mads Hermansen flap of the most excruciating type, Chelsea were four-one up, the home fans had already started to stream away and the game was long gone. Hermansen – blocked off and ineffective for the fifth – and my hand hovered over the ‘off’ button on the remote. You do have to feel for the young Danish keeper: I’m not sure he’d quite expected to walk into this.
Chelsea then cruised through the last twenty minutes- thank heavens- or it could have been a cricket score. The solitary second half positive was Freddie Potts’ debut: The young man looked completely at home and on that showing should be there every week- Unlike several others. And finally, can someone teach Aguerd, Kilman and co. how to head corners goalwards rather than ten meters over? When you’re four goals down at least hit the target. Craig Dawson they are not.
Hermansen did get the biggest somewhat ironic cheer of the night, safely catching a cross on ninety two minutes.
Where now for Graham Potter, I wonder. Rooted to the foot of the league, pointless and – apparently – still clueless about a remedy for West Ham’s woes.