Chelsea piled on early-season misery for West Ham and its under-fire manager Graham Potter by handing out a 5-1 thrashing in the Premier League on Saturday (AEST), all without injured star Cole Palmer.
Palmer pulled out of the team at the last minute after getting hurt in the warm-up, before Chelsea went a goal down in the sixth minute at the Olympic Stadium after a long-range piledriver from Lucas Paqueta.
It went quickly downhill from there for West Ham, which lost at promoted Sunderland 3-0 last weekend in the opening round and was beaten even more handsomely a week later.
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Brazilian teenager Estevao starred on his full debut as Chelsea had five different scorers: Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah. Three of the goals came at corners, where West Ham’s marking was non-existent.
The 18-year-old Brazilian notched his first goal assist in the Premier League in setting up Fernandez's goal, and took out man-of-the-match honours.
Estevao (centre) celebrates a Chelsea goal with teammates. Offside via Getty Images
In doing so, he became the youngest player ever to register an assist for Chelsea in the Premier League.
However, Blues coach Enzo Maresca was careful not to heap too much praise on the youngster post-match.
"He has to adapt," the manager said.
"The goal we conceded came from when he tried to do a flick in the middle of the pitch.
"Then we conceded another transition for that same reason. He has to adapt. He's very young. He's a fantastic player and we are very happy with him."
Estevao in action. Getty
After Caicedo poked in the fourth goal in the 54th minute after West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen flapped at an in-swinging corner, some home fans left the stadium.
A trickle of departing supporters turned into a flood from the 58th when Chalaboh hooked home a shot from close range for another goal from a corner.
Potter looked dejected on the sideline, with his position looking increasingly uncertain after a poor end to last season by West Ham when the team finished 14th in the 20-team league.
There were boos at half-time and full-time for West Ham and Potter, who coached Chelsea for seven months during the 2022-23 season before getting fired.
- with AP