Chelsea vs West Ham a few quick thoughts
Dan Tracey
August 16, 2016
1,595 Views
- Chelsea get off to a winning start under Antonio Conte as he masterminds a win over cross town rivals West Ham
- That said they certainly left it late in which to do so
- The big news before the game was that Cesc Fabregas was dropped to the bench
- Could the World Cup winner be looking for an exit out of Stamford Bridge
- The problem he may face is with a return to Barcelona already taken place and a move back to Arsenal unlikely where would he end up?
- He may have to get used to life on the bench under Antonio Conte
- To matters on the pitch though and the opening few minutes will be remembered for N’Golo Kante getting booked
- You get the feeling his tenacious tackling will ccertainly make him a fan favourite
- That said though he had to walk a disciplinary tightrope last night after going into the referees notepad so early
- Chelsea had the early endeavour in the first half but Slaven Bilic’s side managed to keep them at bay for the opening 45 minutes
- Was Conte’s 4-1-4-1 formation at home a bit too negative perhaps?
- The tide had certainly turned Chelsea’s way soon after the break as Michail Antonio tripped Cesar Azpilicueta in the box and gave the West Londoners the perfect opportunity to go in front
- The continued experiment of Antonio at right back doesn’t seem to be working, he had a torrid time last night and was soon hauled off for Sam Byram
- Don’t be surprised if Byram makes that position his own over the course of the season
- Eden Hazard stepped and rasped his spot kick just under the frame of Adrian’s goal to put the home side in front.
- But credit must go to West Ham they kept themselves in the game or perhaps it was Chelsea being wasteful
- And Antonio Conte’s side were punished for wastefulness just 13 minutes from time when James Collins hooked home a shot from close distance after Chelsea’s failure to clear
- It looked like once again Slaven Bilic had foiled Chelsea
- But there was to be one final twist in the tale
- A hopeful long ball was nodded down by new Chelsea signing Much Batshuayi and it found the feet if Diego Costa with a minute to go
- With his compatriot Pedro on the overlap and screaming for the ball
- Costa ignored him and he made the right decision as he shot rifled home from the edge of the box to give Chelsea all three points and get Antonio Conte off to a winning start
- I wouldn’t say a flying start as it looks like this Chelsea side is going to be a work in progress but they certainly have the capabilities of finishing in the Top 4 come the end of the season.
- For West Ham there focus now moves to christening their new stadium with the advent of Premier League Football as Bournemouth are the visitors on Sunday
- The Hammers will now look to bounce back and get their tenancy at the Olympic Stadium off to a winning start in domestic competition
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