Chelsea banished the memory of consecutive defeats with a 3-0 win over rivals West Ham, which moved Frank Lampard’s side into the Premier League top five.
The scoreline flattered the hosts, who were second best in between Thiago Silva’s early opener from a corner and the first of two quick-fire Tammy Abraham strikes on 78 minutes.
The victory came at a cost for Chelsea, as Ben Chilwell was replaced in the first 10 minutes on his birthday with an ankle injury.
Dan Kilpatrick runs the run over both teams…
Chelsea player ratings
Mendy 6, Azpilicueta 7, Zouma 7, Thiago Silva 8, Chilwell 6, Jorginho 6, Kante 7, Mount 8, Werner 6, Abraham 8, Pulisic 7. Subs: Emerson 7, Kovacic 7, Havertz 6.
Top: Tammy Abraham. The England forward justified his return to the side with two poacher’s finishes to make the game safe. Abraham had been quiet until pouncing on Tim Werner’s miscue and then finishing at the far post less than two minutes later.
Flop: Timo Werner. The German missed a one-on-one with Łukasz Fabiański in the first half, was inches away from Abraham’s cross after the interval and struck the woodwork from a good position late on. It will surely come but at present he looks short of confidence in front of goal as he continues to adjust to the Premier League.
West Ham player ratings
Fabianski 6, Coufal 5, Balbuena 5, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 4, Rice 8, Soucek 7, Bowen 7, Noble 6, Fornals 6, Haller 5. Subs: Benrahma 6, Fredericks 6.
Top: Declan Rice. Reminded Chelsea what they are missing with another captain’s performance – even if Mark Noble took back the armband on the night. Rice drove West Ham forward with a number of eye-catching passes, while also helping to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm at every opportunity.
Flop: Aaron Cresswell. At fault for two of Chelsea’s goals, vacating the space for Thiago Silva’s headed opener and failing to step for the first of Abraham’s strikes, thereby playing the forward onside.
