Pedro Neto celebrates scoring against West Ham.placeholder image
Pedro Neto celebrates scoring against West Ham. | AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side made up for a 0-0 draw last time out with a goal glut against West Ham.
Chelsea woke up quickly from an early piece of West Ham brilliance to come from behind and claim a dominant 5-1 win under the lights at the London Stadium on Friday night.
Enzo Maresca saw five different goalscorers hit the back of the net against the struggling Hammers, who crumbled under the pace of wingers Pedro Neto and Willian Estevao. Joao Pedro levelled the scores in the 15th minute with a strong header after a Lucas Paqueta wondergoal opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock.
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez both scored before half time and the visitors didn’t let up after the break as Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah profited from penalty box scrambles after corner kicks. Here’s how the Chelsea players rated.
Chelsea Player Ratings v West Ham
GK: Robert Sanchez, 7
Can thank his teammates for turning the score around as there were big questions to be asked about the Chelsea shot-stopper for that Lucas Paqeuta goal. Did make an impressive save in the second half.
LB: Marc Cucurella, 8
Did have to keep on his toes even later into the match thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s never-say-die attitude. It was his bulldoggishness to get the flick on for Pedro’s goal that started the Chelsea romp.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo, 8
A welcome returnee to the Chelsea starting XI. Enzo Maresca praised his ball passing abilities last week and he showcased those tonight in a confident outing.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah, 8
Looked a little off the pace in the opening moments but was soon shaken to life. Alive in the box to hook his leg around the bouncing ball for the fifth.
RB: Malo Gusto, 7
One of the quieter Chelsea performances. Little to criticise but not a part of the best Chelsea moments going forwards.
CM: Moises Caicedo, 8
A fairly quiet night for Caicedo. Usually busy cutting out promising attacking moves, but there weren’t many of those to stop. Such a cool customer when poking home the fourth.
CM: Enzo Fernancez, 9
Smelt blood tonight and pulled the strings to make sure Chelsea romped home. Deserved his goal for an industrious performance in the centre of the park.
Chelsea winger turns in 10/10 performance
LW: Pedro Neto, 10
A pretty flawless performance on the wing. Aaron Wan-Bissaka never, ever looked close to matching his space and the Chelsea man’s threat was constant. A speed demon and caught a tricky volley well for his goal.
CF: Joao Pedro, 9
Deployed just behind Liam Delap in what could have been a formation re-shuffle given the knock picked up by Cole Palmer. The former Brighton man did drift in and out of the game but looked full of confidence with the ball at his feet. Showed his strength to head home his goal and teed up Neto’s perfectly.
RW: Willian Estevao, 9
What a phenomenal talent the Brazilian is. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to show his potential in full swing as he danced around the Hammers midfield and defence. The teenager did give the ball away for the opening goal, in a moment that highlighted his lack of experience, but the good very much outweighed that error.
ST: Liam Delap, 7
Some nice hold up work and did make a nuisance of himself in the box but, given the West Ham frailties, a shame that he wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet tonight. Nonetheless, plenty to like and he was subbed off to a chorus of his name from the travelling supporters.
SUBS: Andrey Santos (8), Reece James (7), Jorrel Harto (8), Wesley Fofana (7), Jamie Gittens (6).
Continue Reading