Chelsea2 - 1West Ham

Before Enzo Maresca's lethargic men had even had their first shot on target, West Ham talisman Jarrod Bowen marked his return from injury with a bang, capitalising on a Levi Colwill error to clinically put the Hammers ahead on the stroke of half time.

Bowen's opener belatedly sparked the Blues into life, but the visitors still got to the break with their advantage intact thanks to a breathtaking Alphonse Areola save from a Cole Palmer free kick.

Maresca did not shy away from several changes after a pitiful first half, one of which paid major dividends as Pedro Neto drew Chelsea level, before an unfortunate Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal completed the turnaround.

After surviving seven added minutes, the Blues could celebrate returning to the Champions League spots ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle United, while 15th-placed West Ham are 10 points clear of the drop zone.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Graham Potter travelled to Stamford Bridge aiming to earn a slice of Premier League history; had West Ham clung onto their warranted advantage, he would have become the first-ever former Chelsea boss to beat the Blues away from home in the competition.

The Irons were full value for their lead in a first half where Maresca's men were fresh out of ideas; the Irons did a wonderful job containing Palmer, who was often restricted to deeper positions and could not influence the game in his usual manner.

However, Maresca's substitutions had the desired effect for the West London giants, although they could have made their evening much more stress-free had they not nonsensically tried to coast through the opening period.

As the Blues rejoice in an incredibly nervy win, West Ham can once again head home from an away day with some positives to reflect on, none more so than Bowen's bullish performance; how much the Irons have missed him.

CHELSEA VS. WEST HAM HIGHLIGHTS

Jarrod Bowen goal vs. Chelsea (42nd min, Chelsea 0-1 West Ham)

Chelsea have been playing this first half in first gear, and Maresca's men are ruthlessly punished! Colwill and Mohammed Kudus get in a tussle on the right-hand side, and the Chelsea man attempts to pass back to Filip Jorgensen.

However, Colwill's connection is weak, and Bowen is on it in a flash before coolly curling home low into the far corner of the net; Colwill believed that Kudus illegally shrugged him off the ball, but neither the linesman nor the VAR agree with him.

Pedro Neto goal vs. West Ham (64th min, Chelsea 1-1 West Ham)

They cannot say they deserve it, but Chelsea are on terms!

Colwill is fortunate not to be penalised for a foul on Bowen in his own half, and Chelsea surge forward in the aftermath, culminating in Neto delivering an inswinging cross to the back stick which Marc Cucurella keeps alive.

Enzo Fernandez tries a half-volley which is blocked by Vladimir Coufal, but the rebound falls kindly for an arriving Neto, whose low effort finds its way though Areola's legs and into the back of the net.

A lengthy VAR check ensues for a possible offside against Cucurella, but the goal is checked and cleared.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal vs. West Ham (74th min, Chelsea 2-1 West Ham)

Certainly more fortuitous than fabulous from Palmer, but absolutely vital nonetheless!

Chelsea's star man drives into the left-hand side of the box and seemingly tries to pick out a teammate with a low ball into the six-yard box, but his cross takes a wicked nick off of Wan-Bissaka and loops over Areola's head into the far side of the net.

MAN OF THE MATCH - JARROD BOWEN

Forever a talismanic figure at the tip of the West Ham attack, Bowen may not have ended up on the winning side in the English capital, but the England international well and truly made his mark on his return from injury.

As well as taking his goal with customary aplomb, Bowen created two chances, put in the same number of tackles and interceptions and caused havoc to a nervy Blues backline all evening long.

CHELSEA VS. WEST HAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Chelsea 67%-33% West Ham

Shots: Chelsea 22-13 West Ham

Shots on target: Chelsea 3-4 West Ham

Corners: Chelsea 4-3 West Ham

Fouls: Chelsea 11-10 West Ham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Having battled Potter's current club, Chelsea now prepare for a double-header with his old team; the Blues face Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, six days before another trip to the Amex in the Premier League.

As West Ham's FA Cup journey ended at the hands of Aston Villa in the third round, the Irons now have almost two weeks off before their next game - another London derby at home to Brentford on February 15.

Written by

Ben Knapton