West Ham battled back to draw 1-1 against Chelsea at London Stadium on Saturday, as Graham Potter continues to see his side struggle.
Joao Felix put Chelsea ahead early on but Emerson Palmeri equalized in the first half, as the visitors also had two goals disallowed for offside and West Ham had what they thought was a late winner from Tomas Soueck ruled out for offside by VAR. Soucek looked to have handled the ball late on to give away a penalty but VAR didn’t give it.
The Hammers have improved in recent weeks as they’re unbeaten in their last three games as they have become tough to beat once again and they moved on to 20 points for the season to stay just above the relegation zone.
As for the Blues, they have won just two of their last 13 Premier League games and Potter will be disappointed they couldn’t be more clinical as they’ve now drawn three games in a row. Chelsea are on 31 points and remain in midtable.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
Blues fail to click in the final third
Chelsea looked superb in the first half as they scored a beauty with a perfectly timed pass over the top and they scored two others when they were just offside. The runs were good but just mistimed and when this clicks for Chelsea in the final third it will be a joy to watch. However, it is all very clunky right now and that is to be expected with so many new signings in the starting lineup together. Enzo Fernandez ticked things over nicely in midfield and Chelsea had plenty of the ball but they just couldn’t control the tempo of the game for the full 90 minutes. Mudryk and Felix looked sharp in attack but the problem for Potter is that he has so many options in his squad and he still doesn’t seem to know what his best lineup is. He will find that out soon but right now a top four finish still seems a very long way away for Chelsea.
Graham Potter on handball controversy, Chelsea’s display
He later added to the written media on Tomas Soucek’s handball: “It was a good save.”
Joao Felix on goal, impressive start at Chelsea
Stars of the show
Joao Felix: Lovely finish and was so sharp, especially in the first half.
Jarrod Bowen: Great assist on the goal and caused problems all over the place.
What’s next?
West Ham have another London derby as they travel to Tottenham on Sunday, Feb. 19, while Chelsea host Southampton on Saturday, Feb. 18.
How to watch West Ham vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET, SaturdayTV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Stream via NBCSports.com
FULL TIME: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea - Disappointment for Chelsea but that is a very good point for the Hammers.
Five minutes of stoppage time.
NO HANDBALL!? Soucek has got away with one there as he pushes his hand out to block Gallagher’s shot. No penalty is given via VAR. Wow.
No handball was given on this shot from Conor Gallagher.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 11, 2023
📺: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/ICjOCKphpl
OFFSIDE! West Ham thought they had taken the lead but Declan Rice was just offside when his initial header was saved, as Soucek finished off the rebound. It’s still 1-1. Relief from Chelsea. Despair from West Ham.
Tomas Soucek thought he put West Ham into the lead. But Declan Rice was JUST offside. 👀
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 11, 2023
📺: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/tzna5aEEMa
Aguerd is off with an injury. Johnson is on. Another injury blow for the Hammers.
Bowen goes down in the box but no penalty kick is given. Probably the correct decision.
Chelsea have brought on Chilwell, Mount and Ziyech, while West Ham bring on Danny Ings and Flynn Downes.
SO CLOSE! Reece James whips in a free kick and Antonio flicks it clear but it almost sneaks in at the back post. Chelsea pushing hard.
What a ball from Reece James and Angelo Ogbonna tries to clear and shanks it towards his own goal but Fabianski saves.
We are back underway for the second half. Can Chelsea make the most of their chances in this 45?
HALF TIME: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea - What a great first half. Ebbed and flowed and West Ham recovered well after Felix gave Chelsea the lead.
SAVE! Fabiasnki saves well as Joao Felix whips a free kick towards the bottom corner. Decent effort from Felix. Chelsea back on top now as they push to regain the lead. Badiashile heads over the corner and should have got his effort on target, and he probably should have scored. Relief for West Ham.
West Ham having a go here, but Chelsea look very dangerous at the other end. Madueke’s low shot is saved well by Fabianski, Felix whips in a dangerous cross and Mudryk then leads a counter but Enzo Fernandez can’t make the most of it. Very open game now. Lovely for the neutral.
GOALLL! Emerson pops up at the back post and equalizes for West Ham against his former club Chelsea. Lovely finish after Bowen flicks on a cross. Reece James and Noni Madueke caught napping defensively. 1-1. Game on!
CLOSE! West Ham almost equalize. Bowen finds Antonio but he can’t quite get enough on his finish and Kepa saves. Against the run of play, that was a huge chance for the Hammers.
NO GOAL! Another disallowed goal! Kai Havertz rounds Fabianski and finishes. West Ham playing a very high line.
GOALLLL! Joao Felix finishes after a superb ball from Enzo Fernandez. That is his first goal in the Premier League in just his second appearance. Chelsea have been excellent early on and totally deserve this lead. 1-0 to Chelsea.
The Enzo Fernandez to Joao Felix connection. 😍
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 11, 2023
📺 : @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/vloxexF4Xc
Paqueta is off. He can’t continue. Such a shame for West Ham. Soucek is on in his place. How unlucky have West Ham been with injuries?
NO GOAL! Joao Felix is played in and he’s just offside. The play goes on and he dinks an effort over Fabianski, it hits the post and he finishes the rebound. But he was just offside. Promising for Chelsea.
Joao Felix was offside, but he already looks dangerous up front for Chelsea.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 11, 2023
📺: @USANetwork#MyPLMorning | #WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/upOqgHBcuH
Lucas Paqueta has gone down with a shoulder injury after a heavy landing and has had extensive treatment. He looks shaken up but he’s back on for now.
CHANCE! A good opportunity for Chelsea as Ruben Loftus-Cheek is played in but Fabianski catches his cut back with Havertz lurking. He was caught in two minds there. Should have played the shot or played in Havertz earlier.
KICK OFF! We are underway in east London. Already some meaty challenges flying in. Lovely stuff. This is what it is all about.
The bubbles are floating around and the home fans are belting out their famous chant. This is a fierce London derby and it usually delivers intense drama.
Key storylines & in-form players to watch
The Hammers are slowly getting back to their best and Nayef Aguerd has been in fine form at center back and is now fully fit after arriving in the summer. Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio have been among the goals in recent games and there is a menacing look to West Ham on the counter.
Chelsea’s new signing Enzo Fernandez made a great impact on his debut against Fulham last time out, while Badiashile has also impressed at center back, while Mudryk and Madueke are both getting up to speed on the wing. Joao Felix will finally be available again after he missed the last three games due to his red card on debut.
West Ham team news, injuries, lineup
Kurt Zouma (thigh) and Maxwel Cornet (calf) remain out, while Gianluca Scamacca is battling back from a knee injury. Alphonse Areola is out with a hamstring issue but Thilo Kehrer has battled to be fit. Moyes continues with Michail Antonio as the focal point and Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma supporting him.
Your Hammers for #WHUCHE! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/a8ZsVeVWGn
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 11, 2023
Chelsea team news, injuries, lineup
N’Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja remain out, while Wesley Fofana and Mateo Kovacic are close to being available but this game comes too soon. Denis Zakaria and Edouard Mendy are out too, but Joao Felix is back from suspension and the Portuguese star starts this game.
Come on Chelsea! 💪@ParimatchGlobal | #WhuChe pic.twitter.com/mGEGWPqnUl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2023
