The tone for Chelsea’s afternoon of sloppy defending was set just seven minutes in at the London Stadium, when Nayef Aguerd was given all the space in the world to nod home a corner from West Ham debutant James Ward-Prowse.
The hosts’ second goal reflected just as poorly on Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as a comedy of errors led to Michail Antonio nearly taking the net off with a powerful strike eight minutes after the break. The cherry on top of a farcical cake came when £115 million ($146m) signing Moises Caicedo conceded a late penalty in the dying embers, lazily bringing Emerson down, with Lucas Paqueta converting from the spot to seal a 3-1 win.
As much as this will have frustrated Pochettino, there were at least some signs of life going forward – something that was desperately lacking for pretty much the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
The hosts’ second goal reflected just as poorly on Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as a comedy of errors led to Michail Antonio nearly taking the net off with a powerful strike eight minutes after the break. The cherry on top of a farcical cake came when £115 million ($146m) signing Moises Caicedo conceded a late penalty in the dying embers, lazily bringing Emerson down, with Lucas Paqueta converting from the spot to seal a 3-1 win.
As much as this will have frustrated Pochettino, there were at least some signs of life going forward – something that was desperately lacking for pretty much the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Robert Sanchez (5/10):
Probably should’ve claimed Ward-Prowse’s corner and prevented the home side’s opener. Beaten by a Paqueta shot before the break but saved by the post. Could not do much to stop Antonio scoring.
Axel Disasi (5/10):
Booked for a rash, and probably unnecessary, challenge on Antonio. Did not get close enough to the same West Ham striker in the second half, allowing him to score.
Thiago Silva (6/10):
Won nearly everything in the air. Great on the ball too, pushing up high into midfield to help with the Blues’ build-up play. Might have done better for the second goal.
Levi Colwill (5/10):
Got high and wide, interchanging positions with Chilwell in an interesting way. Antonio got the better of him for the Hammers’ second.
Midfield
Malo Gusto (7/10):
A promising full debut. He used the ball neatly for the most part and positioned himself intelligently when Chelsea had the ball. Defended stoically.
Enzo Fernandez (5/10):
Hadn’t missed a penalty in his career before this one. That disappointment aside, he kept things ticking over, while overhitting a few through balls.
Conor Gallagher (6/10):
Easily out-jumped by Aguerd for West Ham’s goal. Gave Chelsea some bite in midfield. Will be interesting to see if he continues to start over Caicedo.
Ben Chilwell (6/10):
Got himself into some good crossing positions and swung in a couple of dangerous balls. Great engine too. A little bit surprising to see him subbed in the second half, though he had put some shift in.
Attack
Carney Chukwuemeka (7/10):
All at sea at Aguerd headed West Ham in front, but made up for that with an emphatic finish to level things up. He’ll be devastated to have been forced off through injury.
Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
Always busy, but he’s still a bit raw. Once he cuts out the loose touches and nervous shooting, he should be a seriously effective striker.
Raheem Sterling (8/10):
Early days, but he looks transformed under Pochettino. A really positive performance full of direct running and trickery. Won the penalty, too.
Subs & Manager
Mykhailo Mudryk (4/10):
Did not really get into the game after coming on at half-time. With competition for places fierce, he needs to impress when he does play.
Moises Caicedo (4/10):
Nearly scored just seconds into his Chelsea debut, but he fired wide. His first taste of Blues action ended horribly when he gave away a penalty in second-half stoppage time.
Noni Madueke (6/10):
Had one decent effort, which just deflected wide.
Mason Burstow (N/A)
Thrown on late but made no impact.
Mauricio Pochettino (4/10):
Chelsea’s set-piece defending was abysmal for West Ham’s first and they looked open in transition for the second. There is a lot to be positive about going forward, but defensively the Blues aren’t quite there under Pochettino. He needs to rectify that – fast.
