In a thrilling London derby at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea rallied to defeat West Ham United 2-1 in the Premier League on Monday, February 3, 2025. This victory marked Chelsea’s second win in their last eight matches, propelling them into fourth place, just two points ahead of Manchester City and four behind Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, West Ham remains in 15th position.
England forward Jarrod Bowen, who returned after missing six games due to a foot injury, opened the scoring for West Ham three minutes before halftime. A misplayed back pass from Chelsea’s Levi Colwill allowed Bowen to capitalize, firing a left-footed shot low into the corner past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen.
The turning point for Chelsea came in the 64th minute when substitute Pedro Neto scored after a blocked shot from Enzo Fernandez bounced into his path. Despite protests from West Ham players who believed Bowen was fouled in the lead-up to the goal, it stood after a lengthy VAR review.
Chelsea clinched the win with a bit of fortune when Cole Palmer’s cross from a tight angle was inadvertently redirected into his own net by West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Reflecting on the match, Bowen expressed disappointment at losing after leading, highlighting that they put forth a commendable effort against a top-four contender. The defeat also marked a challenging return to Stamford Bridge for West Ham’s new coach Graham Potter, who was previously in charge of Chelsea before his dismissal in April 2023.
This game not only showcased the competitive nature of the Premier League but also underscored the resilience of Chelsea amidst their struggles this season. With the win, they have positioned themselves well as they continue to seek stability and form in the league.
As the season unfolds, both teams will undoubtedly look to build on their performances, with Chelsea seeking to secure a Champions League spot and West Ham aiming for a stronger finish in the table.