West Ham United 3-2 Chelsea
West Ham fought back to win a five goal thriller at the London Stadium and to put a serious dent in Chelsea’s Premier League title chances.
The Blues’ second defeat of the campaign means they could finish the weekend in third place and the Premier League 2021 betting odds reacted to lengthen Thomas Tuchel’s chances of adding a league title to his Champions League crown. But the win cemented West Ham’s position in the top four and the celebrations will go on into the night in East London.
It took a late and bizarre winner from Arthur Masuaku to win this clash after Chelsea had twice led, and the Blues dominated the game for long periods. And they’ll be kicking themselves as they could have extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.
Highlights of the game
Tuchel’s team has been brilliantly organised since his arrival almost 12 months ago and when they go a goal up, they usually expect to win. So when Thiago Silva met a corner with a towering header, which bounced down and up past Lukasz Fabianski, it seemed the writing may be on the wall.
But the Hammers had other ideas with their plan to surprise Chelsea. And they were level on 39 minutes thanks to an uncharacteristic mix up in the visitors’ defence. Jorginho played a ball back to Edouard Mendy and the Blues’ stopper had plenty of time to clear so he took a touch, but a bad one, and when Jarrod Bowen came in to challenge he brought the West Ham man down.
Manuel Lanzini stepped up and, cool as you like, slammed the penalty into the corner of Mendy’s net for 1-1.
On the stroke of half time Chelsea were ahead again, this time thanks to a sublime finish form Mason Mount. Hakim Ziyech sent over a cross which the young England star volleyed home at the near post to send the Blues into the break ahead.
56 minutes in and the Hammers were level again with a brilliant goal of their own. Michail Antonio was strong in the air to beat a Chelsea defender and the ball landed with Vladimir Coufal who passed to Bowen and he hit it sweetly past Mendy to equalise for a second time.
The Hammers had hit back twice but with plenty of time remaining Chelsea probed for a winner with both Mount and Jorginho coming close; but as the clock ticked down and the Blues became frustrated things got worse for the league leaders, when Masuaku snatched all three points with his 87th minute strike. It wasn’t entirely clear whether the wing back was trying to cross or shoot when he sent the ball in from the left and it may have even taken a slight deflection, but Mendy was totally out of position, yards off his line, when the ball flew in at his near post to send the home fans wild.
The Chelsea keeper won’t be in a hurry to watch this weekend’s Premier League 2021 highlights, after being involved in the mix up for West Ham’s penalty, to be beaten at in this way was not the way he would have wanted to concede.
Key Statistics
Chelsea had won their last seven away London Derbies and they had enough opportunity to win this one, with 65 per cent possession and leading the shot count by 19 to 11 and seven to five on target; but there will only be once statistic that West Ham boss David Moyes will care about…three goals to two!
This was only the third time Chelsea had conceded more than one goal in 53 matches under Tuchel.
What’s next?
Chelsea fans will probably take a day off from football now, and by the time they look back they could be behind both Liverpool and Manchester City. The Reds have a tricky game away to Wolves while Manchester City take a trip to struggling Watford. Jurgen Klopp’s team will have to work hard to win all three points but the Sky Blues shouldn’t have too much to worry about against the Hornets.
Next up the Blues are in Champions League action when they head eastwards to face Zenit Saint Petersburg. They are already through to the Round of 16 and Tuchel may take the opportunity to rest some of his players, before they head to Elland Road to meet Leeds United in a classic top flight fixture. Keep it here at SBOTOP for all the latest news and updates as well as a wide range of Asian Handicap Betting odds as we look forward to that blockbuster clash.
Meanwhile the Hammers are in Europa League action away to Dinamo Zagreb, before they travel to Burnley to take on Sean Dyche’s Clarets.
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