The first London derby of the 2016-17 Premier League season saw Chelsea defeat West Ham United on Monday night. The Blues completely dominated proceedings and took the lead through and Eden Hazard penalty but a lapse in concentration saw West Ham grab an equaliser from a corner as James Collins’ volleyed home.
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Antonio Conte’s men would not be denied though as a string of substitutions saw Michy Batshuayi create a chance than Diego Costa took with aplomb. The win sees Cheslea make a great start to the season, keeping pace with Manchester United who blew away Bournemouth in their first match with Jose Mourino in charge.
Let’s take a look and how the players performed.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 6/10
Had a largely untroubled first-half as West Ham were mostly hemmed back in their own half of the field. Could do nothing about Collins’ equaliser but did a fine job after Costa’s late goal to get Chelsea off to a winning start.
Branislav Ivanovic – 7/10
He linked up really well with Willian to provide a real threat going forward and was mostly solid at the back, doing a good job of erasing memories of his woeful form from last season.
Gary Cahill – 6/10
Looked calm and composed at the back, dealing with Andy Caroll with ease in the first-half. He needs to be more vigilant when Chelsea are looking to close out games though, as he wasn't able to block Collins’ effort.
John Terry – 6.5/10
The captain martialled his backline to ensure that West Ham weren’t a real threat in the first-half and most of the second-half. Just like Cahill though, the veteran must take control and take Chelsea over the line when defending leads.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7/10
The left-back was the more reserved of the two full-backs in venturing forward during the first-half but earned a penalty right the start of the second-half. Was solid in defence throughout.
N’Golo Kante – 7.5/10
The new signing picked up an early yellow card for a rash challenge on Andy Caroll and looked a little overwhelmed in the first-half but came up big in the second-half as he was back to his tenacious best by absolutely dominating the midfield. The Frenchman was extremely lucky to not be sent off for a late challenge on Payet, though.
Nemanja Matic – 6/10
The big Serb bossed the middle of the park, winning the ball back well and keeping West Ham on the back foot and linking up with Kante to form a highly effective double-pivot in midfield.
Willian – 6/10
Last season’s Player of the Year for Chelsea had one of his trademark free-kicks saved on the half-time whistle. Also had some great set-piece delivery as well as link-up play with Oscar, Hazard, and Costa. He was replaced by the fresh legs of Pedro as Chelsea went in search of a late winner.
Oscar – 6.5/10
The Brazilian staked his claim for a starting role as he kept the Chelsea midfield ticking throughout the game with some tidy passing and fiesty tackling. He was brought off for Batshuayi after West Ham’s equaliser.
Eden Hazard – 7.5/10
Was a real livewire as he buzzed around dangerously but lacked the final product in the first-half. Hammered home the penalty to give Chelsea the lead but was quite subdued thereafter. Was subbed off towards the end.
Diego Costa – 8/10
A real handful for the West Ham defence who were tormented by his physicality and movement. While he was a little reckless, he more than made up for it with a late winner for the Blues with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box.
Substitutes
Pedro – 4/10
The winger came on for Willian after West Ham’s equaliser and really should have scored when he shot wide from a great position. He will be thanking Costa for saving his blushes.
Michy Batshuayi – 6/10
The young striker was thrown on for Oscar as Chelsea went in search for a late winner. He played a pivotal role by winning the header which led to Costa’s winner.
Victor Moses – 5/10
Moses made a return from the wilderness as he was given a chance to make an impact, replacing Hazard but wasn’t able to make his mark on the game
West Ham United
Adrian – 8/10
West Ham’s man of the match. The man from Spain did wonderfully to deny Ivanovic’s low effort in the first half and again to tip over Willian’s free-kick right on half-time. Started the second-half with a good save on Costa but could do little to stop Hazard’s penalty. Made a string of saves after to keep the Hammers in the game but was beaten by Costa’s fabulous strike.
Michail Antonio – 3/10
Antonio had a night to forget as he was harried and hustled culminating in giving away a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Azpilicueta. He was subbed off shortly after.
James Collins – 5/10
Collins was involved in a tough battle with Diego Costa and was booked for a challenge on the Spaniard in the first half. He was able to volley in the equaliser from a corner but made the crucial mistake of not closing down Costa who fired home from the edge of the box to give Chelsea the win.
Winston Reid – 4/10
The centre-back was involved in a controversial first-half penalty shout for a challenge on Oscar and was mostly given a tough time by Diego Costa’s physical presence as well as the speed and skill of the three behind the striker. A poor outing for the New Zealander.
Arthur Masuaku – 4/10
Masuaku looked a little out of his depth in the first-half and needed more support to keep both Willian and Ivanovic in check. He was marginally better in the second half but not by too much.
Havard Nordveit – 3.5/10
The game largely passed him by in the first-half as the West Ham midfield were out-bossed by Chelsea. Offered little improvement in the second-half as Chelsea dominated even more. He was finally subbed to make way for Dmitri Payet.
Cheikhou Kouyate – 4.5/10
The midfielder was full of running as usual but wasn’t able to do too much against the physical and technical ability of the Chelsea midfield. He will need to step his game up in upcoming games.
Mark Noble – 4/10
The skipper was tenacious and committed to the cause but like the rest of the West Ham midfield, was overrun
Enner Valencia – 3/10
Absolutely anonymous performance from the winger as he offered little going forward and provided little coverage for his wing-back.
Andy Carroll – 5/10
Was completely isolated up-front and was cut a frustrated figure. He did throw himself around though and was able to draw a few fouls allowing for Payet to use his set-piece expertise to help West Ham back into the game.
Andre Ayew – 5/10
The forward was on the periphery of the game before he was forced to come off just after the half-hour mark due to an injury on his West Ham debut. He was replaced by former Gokhan Tore
Substitutes
Gokhan Tore – 4/10
The former Chelsea man came on for Ayew in the first-half. He tried to get into the game but was largely shut out by Azpilicueta and spent most of his time chasing the Spaniard back the other way.
Sam Byram – 6/10
The youngster came on to replace the woeful Valencia in the second-half and gave a good account fof himself as he did well to keep track of Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta. One of the few bright sparks for the Hammers.
Dimitri Payet – 6/10
The talisman came on with under half an hour to play, replacing Nordveit. Didn’t do too much from open play but made an impact from set-pieces and it was his corner which led to West Ham’s equaliser.
