Chelsea Crush West Ham 5-1, Turn Up Heat on Potter

Chelsea delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, intensifying scrutiny on former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, now at the helm of the Hammers.

Despite the absence of star player Cole Palmer due to a muscle injury, Chelsea showcased their depth and attacking prowess, climbing to the top of the Premier League for the first time since December 2021.

West Ham got off to a flying start when Lucas Paqueta smashed in a stunning goal early on, giving the home fans hope. But Chelsea hit back fast. Joao Pedro nodded in a header from a Marc Cucurella corner just nine minutes later to make it 1-1.

From there, Chelsea took control, exploiting West Ham’s shaky defense. Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez added goals before the break, with Fernandez’s strike set up by 18-year-old debutant Estevao, who shone in his first Premier League start.

• Blues Go Top of Premier League, Pile Pressure on Potter
• West Ham Fans Fume After Heavy Defeat, Chelsea Signal Title Intent​
• Chelsea Thrash West Ham 5-1 as Estevao Shines on Debut

The second half was no better for West Ham. Their new goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, had a rough day, fumbling a corner that let Moises Caicedo score Chelsea’s fourth. Trevoh Chalobah rubbed salt in the wound with a fifth goal after another Hermansen mistake. Frustrated West Ham fans started heading for the exits early, as their team slumped to a second straight heavy defeat after losing 3-0 to Sunderland last week.Chelsea Thrash West Ham 5-1 as Estevao Shines on Debut

Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, was thrilled with his squad’s performance, especially without Palmer, who sat out with a muscle injury. “We didn’t want to risk Cole, but the lads showed we’ve got plenty of firepower,” Maresca said, praising young Estevao’s impact.

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This massive win signals Chelsea’s serious title ambitions, while West Ham’s struggles under Potter are raising big questions.