Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge of their Premier League recreation on Sunday. The Blues have additional strengthened their third place within the desk, with a five-point lead over fourth-placed Arsenal and 7 forward of Tottenham Hotspur, having a recreation in hand on the North Londoners. Thomas Tuchel’s males returned to successful methods in entrance of their very own followers after dropping their final 4 video games in all competitions on house soil.
There was not a single shot on course by both aspect within the first half, with Chelsea having fun with majority of the possession. The Blues didn’t stretch West Ham’s defence, which was not at full energy since gamers like Declan Rice, Manuel Lanzini, Aji Alese, and Jarrod Bowen had been on the bench.
The recreation opened up after 70 minutes, when each groups had been going at it, with end-to-end soccer. Chelsea got here very shut on a few events, however their pictures had been both over the bar, or hit the aspect of the online. Timo Werner got here very shut when the ball fell for him kindly within the field after a Chelsea nook, however he couldn’t generate sufficient energy on the shot, which was saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
Three large factors! pic.twitter.com/AkfX4IZBXv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 24, 2022
Romelu Lukaku, who got here off the bench for Chelsea was pulled again within the field by West Ham defender Craig Dawson, denying him a aim scoring alternative and was despatched off. Jorginho, who has scored 9 penalties this season, missed this one, a easy save for Fabianski. The Italian missed a penalty for the nationwide staff as effectively, who had been knocked out by North Macedonia of their FIFA World Cup qualifier.
HOME WIN FEELS GREAT
Christian Pulisic, who additionally got here off the bench for Thomas Tuchel, scored within the ninetieth minute for Chelsea. The American drove in a low shot from a cross by Marcus Alonso, giving Chelsea a vital three factors, their first house win in 5 video games in all competitions. This was Pulisic’s fifth Premier League aim of the season for Chelsea.
“It feels good to be more secure in the top four. We needed a win at home and it feels great in front of our fans. We need to finish the season strong,” Pulisic mentioned.
West Ham did handle to beat Chelsea 3-2 within the reverse fixture on the London Stadium again in December, however they have not received at Stamford Bridge since November 2019. The Hammers have picked up simply 16 factors from their final 22 away video games within the Premier League. David Moyes has by no means received as supervisor at Stamford Bridge.
West Ham have received only one recreation of their final 5 league video games, choosing up only one level from their final two matches. David Moyes’ males have powerful days forward of them as they are going to face Norwich City, Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion of their final 4 Premier League video games, and the Hammers are within the semi-final of the Europa League as effectively.
Chelsea will host sixth positioned Manchester United within the Premier League on Thursday and journey to Everton of their recreation after that. The Blues may also play Liverpool within the FA Cup closing subsequent month at Wembley.
Even although West Ham may not be capable of get a European place this time period, they’ll nonetheless qualify for the UEFA Champions League by successful the Europa League because the Hammers will face Eintracht Frankfurt within the semi-final subsequent week.