Article
Chelsea Crush West Ham 5-1 in London Derby as Potter Faces Mounting Pressure After Second Defeat
Summary
Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-1 in a dominant London derby performance, piling pressure on manager Graham Potter and showcasing Estêvão’s breakout debut.
Chelsea gave West Ham United a ruthless 5-1 drubbing at London Stadium, increasing pressure on coach Graham Potter following a poor start to the Premier League season. An opening goal by Lucas Paquetá was wiped out in short order as Chelsea's young team came back in style and with precision.
João Pedro equalised with a header from a corner, before Pedro Neto volleyed and Enzo Fernández tapped in after a lightspeed run by debutant Estêvão. Brazilian teen, a substitute for the missing Cole Palmer, was Chelsea's youngest Premier League-assist maker.
The second period witnessed Moisés Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah take advantage of goalkeeping lapses by Mads Hermansen, completing Chelsea's dominant victory. The Blues became the third visiting team to reach five goals within the first hour of a London derby.
Potter, having now sent eight goals out in two matches, is facing increasing pressure from the fans as well as the pundits. Having earned only 20 points from 20 league matches, his West Ham tenure is now in the balance. Chelsea's dominance under Enzo Maresca, on the other hand, rolls on unchecked, with the team moving to the top of the table for the first time since 2021.