West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE: Tomas Soucek handball missed by VAR in controversial finish
The points were shared at the London Stadium
Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United on Saturday as Joao Felix’s opener was cancelled out by ex-Blues defender Emerson Palmieri, leaving Graham Potter’s expensively assembled team still a long way from a top-four spot.
Felix returned to the team after the on-loan Portuguese winger was sent off in his debut for Chelsea last month and in the 16th minute he side-footed home a pinpoint cross by British record signing Enzo Fernandez, one of the many new faces at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea sought to extend their lead but it was their former wing-back Emerson who equalised in the 28th minute when he arrived unmarked at the far post to meet a headed flick-on by Jarrod Bowen and shoot past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In a second half of few chances, Tomas Soucek put the ball in the back of the net in the 82nd minute but Declan Rice, who headed the ball on to the Czech, was ruled offside by VAR.
A few minutes later, Chelsea appealed in vain for a penalty, claiming substitute Conor Gallagher’s shot was stopped by Soucek’s hand.
The draw meant Chelsea have now won only one of their last seven league games - and they have not won away since October. They stayed ninth in the table, nine points behind fourth-placed Newcastle who have played a game less.
West Ham climbed up to 15th but are only two points ahead of Everton, the highest placed team in the relegation spots.
West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
31 min: The stadium is bouncing now and West Ham have really livened up. We have a derby on our hands.
GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Chelsea (Emerson, 28)
Now then! West Ham immediately make their more adventurous play count. They press Cucurella into a mistake and then Coufal delivers a cross rom the right side. Bowen flicks it on to the back post and there’s Emerson, a former Chelsea player, reacting first to bump home.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
25 min: Felix looks so lively in what is a No 10 role behind Havertz. At the other end there’s a rare look for West Ham, but Antonio’s flick is saved by Kepa at close range.
Offside! West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
23 min: Another Chelsea goal ruled out, this time against Kai Havertz who makes a really smart run in behind, rounds Fabianski and slots home, only for the flag to go up. VAR confirms a marginal call.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
22 min: Chelsea have really dominated this opening quarter of the game, partly down to their good play and partly down to West Ham’s negative setup. They are very deep, and struggling to get close to their opponents.
West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
19 min: Fernandez to Felix? Money well spent, Todd Boehly will no doubt think.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Chelsea (Felix, 16)
Joao Felix has been the brightest player on the pitch and it’s no surprise that he opens the scoring. Enzo Fernandez whips in a cross and Felix moves into the six-yard box before touching home on the volley.
West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
12 min: Paqueta is done. He got caught in a sandwich of players and immediately jumped out wincing, and clearly his shoulder is still hurting. Tomas Soucek is on to replace him.
Offside! West Ham 0-0 Chelsea
9 min: Joao Felix has the ball in the back of the net, turning in a rebound after intially chipping Fabianski and hitting the post, but his run in behind was just a touch early and it’s ruled out.
Paqueta has returned to the action and seems OK to continue, for now.
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