Chelsea once again showed two very different faces in the same match as they came from behind to snatch a dramatic win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues looked flat and short of ideas in the first half, heading into the break two goals down and leaving the home crowd frustrated. Liam Rosenior’s side had control, intensity, and confidence — something Chelsea clearly lacked early on.
That all changed after the interval.
Substitutes turn the game on its head
Chelsea’s second-half response was driven by the impact of their substitutes. Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella were introduced and immediately lifted the tempo, both finding the net to drag the Blues level and shift the momentum completely.
Pedro’s influence stood out in particular. His movement, composure, and decision-making caused West Ham constant problems, and his contribution went beyond just the goal.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it was once again Enzo Fernandez who stepped up. The Argentine midfielder showed real leadership and composure, firing home a late winner to seal a crucial three points for Chelsea.
Wesley Fofana draws Kevin De Bruyne comparisons
While the goals grabbed the headlines, one moment of pure quality proved decisive. Wesley Fofana, not known primarily for his attacking output, produced a sensational cross that led to Joao Pedro’s header.
The delivery was perfectly weighted, drilled into the danger area with pace and precision — exactly what Chelsea had been missing up until that point.
Gary Neville was quick to highlight the quality of the moment during Sky Sports commentary, comparing Fofana’s cross to something typically associated with former Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
According to Neville, the acceleration and technique needed to dig out that pass under pressure showed real class, describing it as “De Bruyne-like” and praising the execution as “absolutely brilliant”.
Garnacho struggles as rotation backfires
Rosenior’s decision to rotate his squad heavily after the demanding Champions League clash against Napoli raised eyebrows — and ultimately proved costly.
Alejandro Garnacho, handed a chance to impress, endured a difficult evening. He struggled to beat his man, lacked confidence in possession, and failed to make a meaningful impact before being withdrawn.
With so many changes made at once, Chelsea looked disjointed early on, and it took individual brilliance from the bench to rescue the result.
A lesson learned for Rosenior
The match served as a reminder of how unforgiving Premier League football can be. Rotation is necessary, but finding the right balance is crucial — especially when facing teams fighting for survival.
Chelsea’s quality eventually told, but Rosenior will know that similar experiments against stronger opposition could easily be punished. The second-half turnaround saved the result, but it also highlighted the risks involved in over-rotation.
For Chelsea, the win keeps momentum alive. For Rosenior, it may be a timely lesson moving forward.
