Chelsea completed a thrilling turnaround at Stamford Bridge, coming from 2-0 down to beat West Ham 3-2 in stoppage time. Liam Rosenior’s half-time substitutions proved decisive as Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella turned the tide, before captain Enzo Fernandez netted the winner in the dying minutes.
West Ham Take Early Control
The visitors dominated the first half, with Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville giving West Ham a 2-0 lead. Chelsea’s makeshift side, featuring only four starters from their midweek Champions League win over Napoli, struggled to cope with West Ham’s pace and pressing. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for the opener, while Alejandro Garnacho failed to make an impact on the flank, leaving the Blues exposed.
Half-Time Changes Spark Chelsea Revival
Rosenior’s bold decisions at the break changed the game. Substitutes Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella injected energy and quality into Chelsea’s attack. Pedro headed in a superb cross from Wesley Fofana to halve the deficit, while Cucurella capitalised on a chaotic moment to level the score at 2-2. Chelsea fans, who had booed their team off at half-time, erupted as hope returned.
Late Drama and Todibo Red Card
The match also saw tensions boil over in stoppage time, as West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off for violent conduct against Joao Pedro during a mass brawl. Despite the chaos, Chelsea’s focus remained on the pitch, and Pedro delivered a precise assist to Enzo Fernandez, who scored the stoppage-time winner, sealing an incredible comeback.
Player Impact and Key Performances
- Joao Pedro: Off the bench to score the first goal and assist the winner.
- Marc Cucurella: Equalised and added energy down the left flank.
- Enzo Fernandez: Captain and match-winner with a clinical stoppage-time finish.
- Robert Sanchez: Mixed performance; crucial saves but error for first goal.
- Alejandro Garnacho: Hooked at half-time after a disappointing first half.
- Benoit Badiashile & Jorrel Hato: Struggled defensively and replaced at break.
Match Summary
Chelsea’s story was one of two halves: a poor first period exposed by a dominant West Ham, followed by a second half of resilience, inspired substitutions, and late heroics. The result underlines Rosenior’s tactical adaptability and the value of a deep squad capable of changing the game from the bench.