10-man West Ham hand Chelsea 3-1 defeat

Chelsea’s Premier League woes extended on Sunday evening at the London Stadium as 10-man West Ham United scripted a thrilling 3-1 win over the Blues. Goals from Nayef Aguerd, Michael Antonio and Lucas Paqueta powered David Moyes’ side to a pulsating London derby win, who spent the last 30 minutes a man light after a second yellow card for Aguerd.

Chelsea showed promising signs in their maiden outing under Mauricio Pochettino against Liverpool at home but were immediately put under the cosh as the Hammers took an early lead on 7 minutes. New signing James Ward-Prowse’s deadly set-play delivery was on display from the outset, and the former Southampton man found Nayef Aguerd at the far post, who headed past Robert Sanchez to give the Hammers a 1-0 advantage.

However, Chelsea fought back after conceding early on and found an equaliser before the half-hour mark, with Carney Chukwuemeka scoring his maiden Premier League goal. The 19-year-old pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and expertly lashed his shot past Alphonse Areole. The Blues should have taken the lead heading into half-time after receiving a penalty for a foul on Tomas Soucek on Raheem Sterling. However, Enzo Fernandez saw his effort from the spot saved by the French shot-stopper, keeping the scores level at the break.

Buoyed by the penalty miss, West Ham regained their lead shortly into the second period. James Ward-Prowse supplied his second assist of the match for Michail Antonio, who brushed aside Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi before producing a thumping finish to give West Ham a 2-1 lead.

The Blues were handed a lifeline when Nayef Aguerd was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence with 23 minutes left on the clock, forcing the home side to survive the closing stages with just ten men. Chlesea, however, couldn’t find a route to goal despite the man advantage, with January signing Mykhailo Mudryk struggling to impress after coming on for the injured Carney Chukwuemeka at half-time.

Noni Madueke went close with a deflected strike that needed a reflex save from Areola, but West Ham managed to ride out the tricky periods before sealing the victory in injury time. British record signing Moises Caicedo endured a debut to forget after conceding a penalty for a late lunge on Emerson Palmieri, and Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta sealed the three points from the spot in the 95th minute, giving West Ham their first win of the season.