West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after visitors cruise to victory
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea: Enzo Maresca’s side climbed into the top four after beating the Hammers
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Chelsea produced a strong performance to capitalise on an abject West Ham United showing and climb into the Premier League’s top four.
An early double from Nicolas Jackson set the visitors on course before Cole Palmer added a third in the second half to make certain of victory for Enzo Maresca’s side. After an unsettled start to the season amid off-field chaos and on-field questions, this was a third win on the bounce for Chelsea as they continue to show signs of real promise under their new manager. Jadon Sancho, making his first start, again impressed while the sometimes profligate Jackson took both of his goals nicely.
It was a rather more fretful afternoon for Julen Lopetegui, the West Ham boss casting a frustrated figure on the touchline. Midfielder Guido Rodriguez was hooked after just 35 minutes as Lopetegui tried unsuccessfully to spark his side into life. Audible boos were heard at half time while plenty of home fans headed for the exit with 15 minutes still to play after another lacklustre performance.
Re-live all the action from the London Stadium in our live blog below:
Julen Lopetegui not pre-occupied by potential Lucas Paqueta betting ban
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has not spoken with Lucas Paqueta about the FA gambling charges and possible suspension hanging over the Brazilian, and admitted he is reluctant to load too much creative responsibility on to the playmaker after a muted beginning to the season.
The 27-year-old is facing a lengthy ban if found guilty of breaching regulations relating to “spot fixing” in four Premier League matches during the 2022/23 season, when it is alleged he deliberately got booked in order to influence the betting market.
The Hammers have made a mixed start to life under Lopetegui with just one win in their first four league fixtures, and are yet to pick up a point at home ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Chelsea at the London Stadium.
The limited impact made so far by Paqueta, whose only goal involvement came via a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, has not helped as the former Real Madrid and Spain coach seeks to transform the team’s playing style from the defensive football favoured by predecessor David Moyes into a more expressive brand of play.
The drawn-out nature of the FA’s disciplinary process means the former Lyon winger is likely to be available to play for much of this season, and the manager said he is satisfied with what he has seen so far.
“I’m happy with his behaviour and his commitment,” said Lopetegui. “He’s working very hard, he’s trying to understand what we want. We’re trying to help him to be better and better. He’s an important player.
“I don’t want to put this kind of responsibility on one player. He has to do the best he can about the offensive phase and defensive phase.
“When he is focused on the defensive work he is a much better player and we try to encourage him to always be focused in a defensive way as well as an offensive way.
“He managed (the betting scandal) in a good way. We try to help him, because until now he is one player more.
“But we don’t talk about (the charges). We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this.”
Ben Chilwell handed Chelsea lifeline as Enzo Maresca considers him for selection
Ben Chilwell has been handed a Chelsea lifeline after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he is under consideration for selection after returning to training with the first team.
The England defender appeared to have no future at Stamford Bridge in August when he was not included in the core group of 22 or 23 players the Italian considered to be his first-team squad, and was told he could leave.
However, he has been named amongst the club’s 25-man squad eligible to play in the Premier League, and ahead of Saturday’s trip to face West Ham Maresca said the situation had changed.
Ben Chilwell handed Chelsea lifeline as Enzo Maresca considers him for selection
The England defender appeared to have no future at Stamford Bridge in August.
Chelsea team news
Enzo Maresca had made three changes to the side that snuck a 1-0 win against Bournemouth last week. In defence, Axel Disasi drops out for summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo, with Wesley Fofana moving to right-back.
Captiain Enzo Fernandez returns to midfield in place of Renato Veiga, while Pedro Neto drops out for fellow summer signing Jadon Sancho, who got the assist last week along with the man of the match award.
West Ham team news
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has made just two changes to the side that drew to Fulham last weekend. Kudus moves into the striker position, with Michail Antonio replaced by Crysencio Summerville.
Tomas Soucek makes way for Lucas Paqueta as an attacking midfielder.
West Ham line-up
West Ham XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Rodriguez; Bowen, Paqueta, Sumerville; Kudus.
Subs: Fabianski, Creswell, Soler, Coufal, Antonio, Ings, Todibo, Soucek, Irving.
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Disasi, Neto, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku.
Team news on the way...
A 12.30 kick off means a bit of morning Premier League team news - we will very soon find out this afternoon’s combatants at the London Stadium. Will Enzo Maresca stick with a settled side? Does Julen Lopetegui have a curveball up his sleeve?
Enzo Maresca urges his Chelsea players to ignore external noise
Enzo Maresca told his Chelsea players to continue to shut out external noise after they secured a second Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth last weekend.
The Blues remained in the headlines during the September international break after reports emerged of a rift between co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
It is the latest off-field problem for Maresca to handle after he fielded various questions over the future of several players during a busy summer of transfer activity.
Enzo Maresca urges his Chelsea players to ignore external noise
Chelsea made it back-to-back Premier League away wins under Enzo Maresca.
West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE
A very good morning and welcome along to The Independent’s live coverage of the opening clash of the Premier League weekend. It’s to the east of London we head as West Ham prepare to host Chelsea in an intriguing little lunch-time number to whet the appetite ahead of a busy weekend in the English top flight.
Kick off is at 12.30pm BST.
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