Graham Potter felt his sacking as Chelsea head coach, after just seven months in charge, was unfair and he left Stamford Bridge once again with a burning sense of injustice.
With his new club, West Ham United, leading and Chelsea struggling they were pegged back through a controversial equalising goal and fell behind to a deflection. And, with that, Chelsea climbed back into the top four with just their second win in eight Premier League games.
Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, talked about the importance of making a statement. Chelsea did that with the points, if not the performance although they will argue on the balance of opportunities they probably deserved it. With the transfer window closing this was a window of opportunity and Chelsea scrambled through it.
With so much activity, again, at Chelsea Maresca made the call to change his goalkeeper with Filip Jorgensen coming in but he was also far from convincing as West Ham threatened to gain a rare victory in this stadium.
There had been a huge roar from the home fans when Jorgensen’s name was read – which will have done little for Sánchez’s confidence but spoke volumes of their sentiment towards him – but the initial involvements were nervy.
Jorgensen spilled a low cross, then he was ponderous with the ball at his feet, giving away possession. But it was better when he repelled Jarrod Bowen’s effort at his near post.
But by half-time he had been beaten by the returning West Ham captain – and what a difference he makes – with Chelsea inflicting the damage on themselves. It came from Alphonso Areola’s goal-kick, headed on by Tomas Soucek. Mohammed Kudus chased it down but, still, it was a woefully under-hit backpass from Levi Colwill which Bowen latched onto.
There was work to do but he cut inside and comfortably beat Jorgensen with a low shot. Was the goalkeeper slow to react? Maybe as he had seen it all the way but the ball was in the net and West Ham were in front.
It was not until the three minutes of added time were being shown that Chelsea had an effort on target. And what an effort it was. And what a save it was with Cole Palmer’s free-kick appearing set to swing under the cross-bar before Alphonso Areola managed to tip it over.
Before that Chelsea had eight efforts on goal. But none of them were on target. Noni Madueke ran clear down the right only to bend a shot beyond the far post; Palmer blazed over; Marc Cucurella miscued a header; Jadon Sancho got his angles wrong and Enzo Fernández missed their best chance.
The midfielder collected Madueke’s pass, strode on but then sent his shot across goal and wide from deep inside the area as Chelsea’s frustration grew.
They were finding West Ham organised and difficult to break down as they switched between a back-three and a back-five. Potter’s side pressed well and looked to break with Andy Irving, on his first league start, volleying over from the edge of the area. They already looked a far cry from when Julen Lopetegui was head coach and they were searching for a way to play. Potter has given them more structure and purpose. And a bit more edge and bite as exemplified by Bowen who was featuring for the first time under Potter and the first time since he broke his foot against Liverpool on December 29.
On the day that West Ham completed the loan signing of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson – to reunite with Potter – this was a reminder of Bowen’s value.
For Chelsea the mood was flat. Maybe there was even a smattering of boos at half-time and then their former left-back Emerson Palmieri sliced a chance over when well-placed and Maresca had seen enough from his own misfiring attack. Nicolas Jackson – eight games now for him without a goal – and the equally ineffective Sancho came off.
With Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu on it did not get any better – the threat was coming from West Ham – so Maresca called for two more changes. His side were looking ragged and the flurry of substitutions said it all. Especially as Reece James also came off – soon after being embarrassed for pace by Carlos Soler who is not exactly known for his speed.
And, then, what do you know? They scored. After a long VAR check, for a possible offside against Cucurella, Neto’s strike stood. He finished after a Fernández shot was blocked and rebounded to him with West Ham also claiming Bowen had been fouled in the build-up. It certainly looked like he had.
But it was adjudged to have been outside the attacking phase of play and could not be looked at. The momentum had switched but there was fortune again for Chelsea as they took the lead. Palmer did well to work his way into the area but was crossing, no doubt about it, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka slid in to block only for the ball to deflect off him fly high over Areola and into the net.
In the technical area Potter stood motionless. Penny for his thoughts given how in control West Ham had been.
When the board went up show seven minutes of additional time it was met with anxiety with West Ham breaking a Kudus wasting the chance for a late equalising goal as did substitute Danny Ings. Chelsea held on although the nerves were all too obvious.
10:33 PM GMT
The thoughts of Enzo Maresca
“Today was a tough game mentally. When West Ham come here and sit back with 10 players behind the ball, it is not easy, you have to be mentally strong and you need to be patient. We had more than 10 shots in the first half. We had clear chances in the first half but unfortunately, we missed the target. We were losing and in the end we won.”
On changing his goalkeepers:
“In this moment, Robert [Sanchez] needs rest and Filip [Jorgensen] was very good.”
On the errors leading to goals:
“I am not concerned, it is the way we play. Sometimes defensive mistakes happen, keeper mistake, number nine misses the goal, that is football. It happens. The important thing is to continue.”
On getting the win:
“It was a good weekend for us in terms of results and we knew today was even better.”
10:26 PM GMT
Graham Potter speaking to Sky
“The spirit of the team was fantastic. We gave everything. It was relatively even in terms of chances but we come away with nothing in terms of the result but there was lots to be positive about.
“You look at the second half. They had to make some substitutions, the first goal was a bit of a turning point and we felt it was a foul, you need those things to go your way. We were doing well but we could not quite hang on and we had a real big chance at the end to take a point.
“The second one is a deflection. We have to focus on what we did well and the spirit and performance, our supporters appreciated the performance of the team. The shape of the team was really good. You need a bit of luck, we felt unfortunate with the lead-up to the first goal but it was not to be. The understanding of what we want to do is there so we have to build on that.”
On any late transfers:
“You never know. We will see, you never know what happens in the window.”
10:24 PM GMT
More from Bowen
“We trust the VAR, the technology is there for a reason. We did not get the decision [for their equaliser] and we had to react better than we did.
“It was 1-1 and we had to do better than we did. The crowd are really good here when they get behind the team and it gave them a lift. Little things went against us but I think we have 12 days before the next game, Brentford at home.”
Reasons to be cheerful?
“A lot of different positive things, we have got players coming back from injury. Performances have been a lot better since the new manager has come in. It is an exciting time to be coming back into the squad. Good times ahead for us hopefully.”
10:21 PM GMT
The thoughts of Jarrod Bowen
“Just disappointed to be leading and lose the game. We left everything out there, we came to a side who are pushing for top four, pushing for the title. At the end, we could have nicked a point with Mo [Kudus]. I feel like it was a West Ham performance where we showed a lot of energy. On another day, I think it could have been a different result.”
Different West Ham under Graham Potter?
“This is my first game with the new manager but since I have been watching, the crowd are back on their feet and it has been great to see. To be back tonight I was really happy and pleased to score a goal but disappointed with the result.”
10:16 PM GMT
Transfer deadline day
Under an hour to go until the window slams shut and you can follow all the latest with our dedicated tranfser blog.
10:15 PM GMT
Jamie Carragher on Sky
“Going to Chelsea is a tough game, there is a rivalry between the two teams. This is not the best Chelsea team we have seen and they are not in the best form so I think in some ways, being 1-0 up at half-time, with Chelsea going through a rough patch, I think Graham Potter will be disappointed they have not come away with something from the game.”
10:12 PM GMT
The thoughts of Marc Cucurella
“This win was very important in front of our fans. Today the team showed character, I think we were confident and we deserved the three points.”
“We play in this big club, we need to win trophies, we need to believe in ourselves. We need to suffer, we came back from the mistake in the first half and we showed what the players had to come back in this game.”
“We played today like a team, like a family and I think it is very important for us.”
10:09 PM GMT
Pedro Neto speaking to Sky
“This victory coming from behind was really important for us. We have to be consistent, this is the most important thing.”
On his celebration:
“We are a big club. When you win you are the best and when you lose you are the worst so it is about being consistent and showing what we can do.”
“To win trophies, you have to know how to suffer. We are here to suffer and do our best and to finish in the top places.”
10:09 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premier League results
Saturday:
Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Everton 4-0 Leicester
Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa
Sunday:
Brentford 0-2 Tottenham
Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City
Monday:
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
10:07 PM GMT
FT stats
Possession: Chelsea 67%-33% West Ham
Shots: 22-14
Shots on target: 3-5
Corners: 4-3
Touches in opposition box: 35-24
10:01 PM GMT
A look at the top of the league
09:58 PM GMT
FT verdict
Shambolic stuff everywhere at the end to sum up a distinctly average game. Guiu trips over himself when given a great chance to settle it, as if either stunned or embarrassed. Defenders hitting the deck en masse as West Ham broke, Maresca gesturing with a mix of anger and resignation, then Jorgensen completing his wonky evening with a pass straight to a West Ham shirt, thankfully for him blasted harmlessly away from goal.
Credit, I suppose, for holding that late Mavropanos shot although it was straight a him. Credit to Chelsea too, although not a lot. Big celebration at the end from Maresca and co. though, they know how critical that win could be.
09:55 PM GMT
Full time
There is the final whistle and Chelsea have come from one goal down to win 2-1 with quite a lot of luck.
09:55 PM GMT
90+6 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Bowen looks like he is going to get on the end of a ball slid forward into the Chelsea box but his own teammate Soucek gets in his way and the chance is gone.
09:54 PM GMT
90+5 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Jorgensen inexplicably gives the ball away and Ings has an attempt from halfway with the Chelsea keeper well out of his goal but his shot goes so far wide.
09:53 PM GMT
90+4 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Big chance for the visitors to equalise as Bowen sets up Kudus in the box. Kudus takes a touch, turns and then shoots but it is blocked.
09:52 PM GMT
90+3 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Neto cuts it back to Guiu inside the West Ham box but at just the wrong moment Guiu slips.
09:48 PM GMT
90 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
There will be seven added minutes.
09:47 PM GMT
89 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Final Chelsea change as Palmer comes off to be replaced by Chalobah as the hosts look to see out the match.
09:46 PM GMT
87 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Final change for West Ham as Guilherme replaces Cresswell. Guilherme has in fact been linked with a move away from West Ham today but it appears he is staying for now in east London.
West Ham have wilted since the equaliser. There are clear improvements under Potter which are likely to multiply with Bowen back, but they remain fragile. Have not seen much evidence from them in the past 20 minutes that they want or expect anything from this game.
Chelsea certainly running at a higher gear but they are no strangers to flakiness themselves. Maresca looks agitated just in front of me, kicking every ball in defence. Another goal might settle him down. Two, ideally.
09:44 PM GMT
85 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Neto wins Chelsea a corner on the right after a block by Scarles from Neto’s cross. Palmer sends it towards the back post but West Ham clear. Chelsea keep it alive and Palmer sends in a cross but again West Ham clear their lines.
09:38 PM GMT
79 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Palmer comes very close to making it 3-1 but his curled effort from just outside the box goes just wide of Areola’s right post.
09:36 PM GMT
78 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Areola makes a good save from a Chelsea free-kick that looked like it came off his his own teammate Mavropanos.
09:35 PM GMT
77 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Another double West Ham change as Ings and Orford replace Soler and Irving.
09:34 PM GMT
75 mins: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1
Probably one of the easiest decisions of the night as Irving is booked for a cynical foul on Palmer.
09:32 PM GMT
GOAL! Wan-Bissaka own goal gives Chelsea the lead
They were 0-1 down not long ago but now they lead. He crosses from the left-hand side of the West Ham penalty area and it takes a huge, looping deflection off Wan-Bissaka that takes it over Areola and into the far corner. It has been given as a Wan-Bissaka own goal.
More luck than design to that Palmer goal given the monstrous deflection off Wan-Bissaka. West Ham were looking steady and doing a fair job of keeping Chelsea out of harm’s way. Crowd has found its voice now. A young man with some questionable silver grillz on his teeth seems especially delighted close to the press box.
09:29 PM GMT
72 mins: Chelsea 1 West Ham 1
Double West Ham change as Mavropanos and Scarles come on for Coufal and Emerson.
09:29 PM GMT
70 mins: Chelsea 1 West Ham 1
Irving sends in a cross from the left, which finds Kudus, but his diving header hits the post. Kudus was actually offside anyway so the goal would not have counted.
09:28 PM GMT
68 mins: Chelsea 1 West Ham 1
Fernandez is booked for a nasty challenge that could well have been red. Awful challenge. Palmer has also been booked for dissent.
09:27 PM GMT
Goal stands
There is weirdly no VAR check for the foul by Colwill but instead to see if Guiu got a touch as a cross was put in which would have put Cucurella offside. VAR deems there was no touch by Guiu as they say there was no conclusive evidence but there is an argument to say there was. Anyway goal stands. VAR also deemed the Colwill foul was outside the attacking phase of play, which seems a rather bizarre argument when that would have negated Chelsea getting the ball forward and scoring.
Just as it was threatening to become inept from Chelsea it is Pedro Neto who keeps his head while all about him are losing theirs. After following in his own cross he grows tired of the pinball in the box and sweeps home past Areola, over-committed in the wrong direction.
There have been so many misplaced passes, ill-timed slips and lapses in concentration from the home team but you would back them to win from here. Not helped momentum-wise by the onerous wait for VAR confirmation of the goal, though.
09:22 PM GMT
GOAL! Neto equalises for Chelsea
The hosts are back on level terms but West Ham are furious they were not given a free-kick in the build-up. Fernandez initially had an effort blocked by Coufal from around eight yards out and Neto is on hand to fire in the rebound. Bowen felt he was fouled by Colwill and the replays suggest he may have had a case as Colwill just steps across Bowen. VAR is in fact checking an offside from Cucurella just before the goal was scored...
09:22 PM GMT
63 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Former Chelsea man Willian is in the stands at Stamford Bridge tonight, amid rumours he might be about to re-join Fulham before the window slams shut at 11pm. You can follow all the latest on transfer deadline day right here.
09:19 PM GMT
60 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
The Chelsea fans are beginning to boo their own players as Tosin flashes a long-distance effort well over the bar.
Another double change for the hosts as Gusto and Nkunku replace James and Madueke.
09:18 PM GMT
59 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
West Ham are growing in confidence with this 1-0 lead and Bowen does well inside the Chelsea box before having an effort blocked.
Down the other end Madueke runs into referee Stuart Attwell.
09:16 PM GMT
57 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Caicedo fouls Soler and he should be booked but is not. Instead James receives a yellow card for pulling Soler back for that foul by Caicedo.
From the free-kick Cresswell spots Jorgensen out of his goal and tries to beat him but it goes just wide.
09:13 PM GMT
55 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Things seem to be unravelling a bit again for Jadon Sancho. Should be a difference maker in games like these, instead he’s hauled off just after half time looking out of puff and with very little to show for his evening’s work. Chelsea need a significant impact from Neto, his replacement, and Guiu, on for Jackson. You sense if there is hope it lies with Palmer, though. Nervy, resigned mood among the home fans. Could turn quite nasty if the result ends as it is currently.
09:10 PM GMT
52 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
You can sense the growing frustration inside Stamford Bridge from the home crowd and Enzo Maresca has decided he has seen enough already in this second half. He is making a double change as Neto and Guiu come on for Sancho and Jackson, whose withdrawal might be linked to the hamstring issue he suffered in the first half.
09:04 PM GMT
46 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Emerson has the first effort of this second half with an first-time effort from the left-hand side of the box but his shot is off target.
09:03 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at Stamford Bridge.
08:58 PM GMT
Chukwuemeka joins Dortmund
Carney Chukwuemeka Joins BVB! ????
Borussia Dortmund have secured 21-year-old midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan from Chelsea until summer 2025, with an option to make the move permanent. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/LrwmiTtgcm
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 3, 2025
08:56 PM GMT
HT stats
Possession: Chelsea 63%-37% West Ham
Shots: 12-4
Shots on target: 2-3
Corners: 3-2
Touches in opposition box: 16-4
08:52 PM GMT
HT verdict
Weak and rash from Levi Colwill to present Bowen with his goal. Immense credit to him for finishing so ruthlessly when put through given he has missed more than a month of football. Not sure you could say West Ham deserve the lead but they have played well as away underdogs, riding out any early threat then picking their moments to attack.
Turns it into quite an urgent game for Chelsea. A leggy and disjointed feel to their game so far, although Palmer unlucky not to equalise with his free kick. Just one win in seven in the league before tonight. Managers here have been sacked for less, one of them is in the opposing dugout.
08:48 PM GMT
Half time
Palmer has a late effort from distance but it is straight at Areola.
There is the half-time whistle and West Ham lead at the break thanks to Bowen’s goal.
08:47 PM GMT
45+2 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Chelsea are sending in plenty of crosses but for now West Ham are dealing with them as close in on half time.
08:46 PM GMT
45 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
There are three added minutes at the end of this first half.
Chelsea have a free-kick not far outside the West Ham penalty area, which Palmer and James are standing over. The former takes it but is denied by a great one-handed save from Areola, who tips it over the bar.
08:41 PM GMT
GOAL! Bowen gives West Ham the lead after huge Colwill error
The West Ham captain is back from injury and back on the scoresheet. Colwill makes a huge error as his pass back has nowhere near enough on it to get to his keeper. Bowen nicks it and curls one into the far corner from just inside the Chelsea box to give the visitors the lead not long before half time. Colwill was appealing for a free-kick in the build-up after what he felt was a foul from Kudus but VAR sees nothing wrong with it. Goal given.
08:41 PM GMT
41 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Madueke drives towards the West Ham box and passes to Sancho on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He comes onto his right foot and tries to curl one into the far corner but misses the target.
08:38 PM GMT
38 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Caicedo cynically fouls Bowen, who wants the Chelsea midfielder to be booker but referee Stuart Attwell does not agree. Caicedo is a little fortunate there not to see a yellow card.
Kudus is then found in behind and he takes on a shot inside the Chelsea box but it is straight at Jorgensen.
Game crying out for someone to get a grip on it, get the crowd going, do something transcendent. Kudus shooting straight at Jorgensen was not the moment it might have been.
Chelsea’s best chance of the game fell to Fernandez but was teed up by a needless and reckless pass from Kudus. He tried to play it safe towards Cresswell but instead put Madueke through before another decent opportunity was spurned by the home side, Fernandez putting it just wide.
Beyond that it is becoming the Andy Irving game for everyone here in claret and blue. A series of songs about him: “You’ve seen the Irving now f--- off home,” “S--- Andy Irving, you’re just a s--- Andy Irving” after one Palmer shot, although good-natured boos when their new cult hero refused to give them a wave as requested.
08:36 PM GMT
36 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
It is very quiet inside Stamford Bridge.
08:33 PM GMT
33 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Cresswell steps in with a crucial block from Sancho’s cross inside the box and Chelsea have a corner, which West Ham clear.
08:31 PM GMT
31 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Kudus inexplicably gives the ball away inside his own half. Madueke then feeds a pass forward into the path of Fernandez inside the West Ham box but the Argentinian’s effort rolls just wide of the far post.
08:30 PM GMT
29 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Very, very strange. Jackson has come racing back on and is sprinting. Either he is doing more damage to that hamstring or he is making more of it than he should be.
08:26 PM GMT
27 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
This could be the end of Jackson’s night. He had just been played in behind but could not get his touch right and now he has gone down clutching his hamstring. He had been struggling with it for a few minutes before he eventually went down but he might try and continue. Guiu was being prepared but he is now being told to put his substitute bib back in.
08:24 PM GMT
25 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
James sends in a cross from the right which picks out Cucurella but the Spaniard up from his left-back position gets the header all wrong and heads well wide.
08:24 PM GMT
24 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
“If Irving scores, we’re on the pitch,” is the repeated song from the Shed End (confusingly, given its status in days or yore, where the away fans sit). West Ham’s travelling support nearly got their wish with that extravagant volley.
Corners may be a better route, Jorgensen looking understandably jittery and West Ham looking to swing high balls directly above him while crowding him out with their biggest boys.
At the other end Madueke’s shot looked good from the press seats, one of those which looked in all the way. Until it wasn’t. Palmer perhaps should have done better with his long-ranger. But the visitors looking more sprightly in the last 15 minutes.
08:23 PM GMT
22 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Colwill is a touch lucky there. He gives the ball away on halfway straight to Bowen, who thinks he has the chance to run at the final defender but play is stopped for a foul by Kudus on Colwill, which was perhaps a little soft.
08:19 PM GMT
19 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Wan-Bissaka pushes it past Cucurella and sends in a cross from the right, which Tosin puts behind for a West Ham corner. Creswell sends it in and it comes to Bowen at the front post, whose shot nearly squeezes in at the near post but Jorgensen makes a decent save to deny the West Ham captain.
West Ham have another corner, which eventually leads to Irving having a shot on the volley which goes over Jorgensen’s bar. Irving made contact on that effort but could not keep it down.
08:15 PM GMT
16 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Chance for Chelsea. Jackson finds Madueke out on the right and he has space to run into the West Ham box. He goes onto his preferred left foot and tries to bend one into the far corner but his effort goes just wide of the far post.
08:14 PM GMT
14 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
James lands awkwardly and he looked in some pain but he looks fine to continue. He has missed a lot of football in recent years and Chelsea fans would have been very worried when he was down but he is back up on his feet. In some ways he was slightly fortunate there as it was a painful landing.
08:13 PM GMT
13 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
West Ham looked primed to ride out the opening period of this match within a compact defensive shape while taking very few chances. Chelsea probing credibly but without much urgency. One slightly hairy moment from Jorgensen is the highlight, but he gathered the Irving cross well enough at the second attempt.
As a result, much of the excitement so far is coming from the fans. West Ham fans singing some songs about Frank Lampard. In summary: impolite. Chelsea respond with a dig about how Lampard has “won more than you.” Touché.
Potter spent the opening two minutes sitting down on the bench. It’ll never catch on, defying the modern approach: to stand on the extreme edge of the technical area as if it demonstrates just how much you care.
08:10 PM GMT
9 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Irving, on his first West Ham start in the Premier League, sends in a cross from the left which should be comfortable for Jorgensen to gather with no West Ham attacker near him but he does fumble which nearly allows Bowen to nick it. A nervy moment for the Chelsea keeper, who has replaced Sanchez in goal this evening.
08:08 PM GMT
8 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
After a neat one-two inside the West Ham penalty area between Palmer and Cucurella, the former has his cross blocked by Coufal and it goes behind for a corner.
Before James can send in an inswinger, Emerson and Cucurella are involved in an altercation with the latter demanding a penalty that he is not given. Emerson needs to be a little careful of holding Cucurella inside his own box.
James then sends in the corner but West Ham are awarded a free-kick.
08:05 PM GMT
5 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
One man not in the Chelsea squad tonight is Axel Disasi, who is closing in on a loan move to Aston Villa. You can follow all the latest on transfer deadline day right here.
08:02 PM GMT
2 mins: Chelsea 0 West Ham 0
Jackson is played into the right channel and takes on a shot from inside the box but his effort is blocked by Kilman.
08:00 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at Stamford Bridge.
07:56 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
No real moment for Potter to lap up / endure the reception from the home fans on his return, he slinked out of the tunnel and into the dugout without any fanfare. A prolonged chat with Enzo Maresca followed. Imagine the two could go deep into Tuesday morning swapping Clearlake Capital stories over several bottles of wine.
07:54 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Colwill, James, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Sancho, Palmer, Jackson.
Substitutes: Sanchez, Neto, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Chalobah, Gusto, George, Acheampong, Guiu.
West Ham: Areola, Cresswell, Kilman, Coufal, Emerson, Wan-Bissaka, Irving, Bowen, Soucek, Soler, Kudus.
Substitutes: Fabianski, Foderingham, Mavrapanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Casey, Scarles, Orford.
07:51 PM GMT
Cole Palmer talking to Sky
“We have created a lot of chances but it is just about being clinical and hopefully we can do that tonight.”
On dropping points from winning positions:
“We spoke about it after the last game. When we go behind or concede, we need to stick together and be more of a team and I think that is what we are going to do.”
On a victory meaning Chelsea go fourth in the table:
“It is a big opportunity, some of the teams lost so we need to try and take advantage of it.”
07:49 PM GMT
Where will Disasi be at the end of the night?
Axel Disasi’s future could go right to the wire with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur still working to try to take the defender on loan for the rest of the season.
With time running out, Disasi still prefers the prospect of a move to Villa but Spurs have not yet given up on their own bid.
Villa already have an agreement with Disasi, while Tottenham have an agreement with Chelsea to pay a £5million loan fee.
07:46 PM GMT
Change in goal for Chelsea
Always feels like a big call to drop your goalkeeper, reminiscent of when an NFL team switches its starting quarterback. Gridiron on the mind in Super Bowl week. In the role of Justin Fields, Robert Sanchez, who has looked a mild liability every time I have watched Chelsea so far this season. Filip Jorgensen is the Russell Wilson equivalent, coming in for what should be an extended audition to be the long-term solution.
One big return for West Ham: Konstantinos Mavropanos has finished his suspension and returns to the bench. No, not really, Jarrod Bowen is back and straight into the team. Broke his foot just after Christmas, so this does feel like rather a quick recovery. Pretty sure Graham Potter would not be gambling with his club’s best player, though.
07:44 PM GMT
The thoughts of Enzo Maresca
On dropping goalkeeper Robert Sanchez:
“It is always a hard decision to leave out players, especially in this case the keeper, it is not an easy one but I assessed it during the week. The good thing is that we have two good keepers so we make the decision to change and we are happy with that.
On Sanchez’s reaction:
“I spoke with him a few days ago, he has now also tried to help Filip [Jorgensen] so everything is fine.”
On his team having a difficult run:
“We need to learn how to win games 1-0 sometimes. We do not always have to score two or three to defend that when you are winning 1-0. Hopefully we can win tonight.”
On victory taking them into the top four:
“It is very important [to make a statement], very important. It does not mean anything because we still have 14 games after this one, a long way to go. It would be a good boost for us.”
07:41 PM GMT
Graham Potter speaking to Sky
On the return of captain Jarrod Bowen:
“Yeah it is a big boost of course. He is our captain, he is a great player. He has worked really hard to get back and we are delighted. We are looking forward to watching him play.”
On how people have reacted to his ideas so far:
“Really positively. The players every day have been really positive, really open and working really hard. We are in a good place and we are looking forward to the game.”
On how big a test this game is:
“It is a tough game of course, a talented team, well organised so we will have to be good, tight defensively. We will have to try and be positive and try and impose ourselves on the game. It is one that we are looking forward to.”
07:36 PM GMT
Jorgensen replaces Sanchez in goal for Chelsea
07:32 PM GMT
Visitors gearing up
07:29 PM GMT
Chukwuemeka heading to Germany
Carney Chukwuemeka has completed his move to Borussia Dortmund from Chelsea on a loan with an option in the summer. Medical completed today and contracts now signed #CFC https://t.co/br7SHfmTbz
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) February 3, 2025
07:25 PM GMT
English football chews players up and spits them out: Just ask Ben Chilwell
As first impressions go, those made by Ben Chilwell on Enzo Maresca in July had extreme consequences for an England international who was judged last summer to be so utterly incompatible with the new approach at Chelsea that he has not started a game for the club since.
He has not been the only big name who was once a fixture of the Gareth Southgate-era England to find himself launched into the wilderness by a Premier League manager this season – but he does seem to be the only one who did so without even putting his boots on. The 28-year-old has played just 45 minutes this season as a substitute in a League Cup tie against Barrow, which for a Champions League winner at the club will have stung.
For players such as Chilwell, as it has been for Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, the world moves faster than ever now. Managers with the super-sized squads of the modern era can afford to push established players to the margins overnight. Seniority counts for little. Out of favour for six months can be an embarrassment. Out of favour for 12 months can signal the irreversible decline of a career. It is now or never for Chilwell to re-establish himself somewhere else.
Our chief football writer Sam Wallace has his say.
07:18 PM GMT
Captain Bowen back for West Ham
07:12 PM GMT
Full team news
Chelsea makes two changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Manchester City last week. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is dropped with Filip Jorgensen replacing him in the starting XI. Tosin Adarabioyo also returns to the starting line-up in place of Trevoh Chalobah. The likes of Joao Felix and Axel Disasi are not involved in the matchday squad as they line up loan moves away from the club.
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Colwill, James, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Sancho, Palmer, Jackson.
Substitutes: Sanchez, Neto, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Chalobah, Gusto, George, Acheampong, Guiu.
West Ham also makes two changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at Aston Villa. Captain Jarrod Bowen starts, featuring for the first time since fracturing his foot in a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool in late December. Lucas Paqueta is not in the squad and Andy Irving replaces Edson Alvarez.
West Ham: Areola, Cresswell, Kilman, Coufal, Emerson, Wan-Bissaka, Irving, Bowen, Soucek, Soler, Kudus.
Substitutes: Fabianski, Foderingham, Mavrapanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Casey, Scarles, Orford.
07:08 PM GMT
Hosts arriving
07:06 PM GMT
Deadline day deals
These two clubs have been busy today on transfer deadline day. West Ham have wrapped up a deal for striker Evan Ferguson, who has joined on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season. Ferguson worked with Graham Potter at Brighton. James Ward-Prowse has returned from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign St-Étienne midfielder Mathis Amougou. They are set to loan out a number of players this evening. Ben Chilwell is set to join Crystal Palace on loan, Carney Chukwuemeka is joining Borussia Dortmund on a temporary basis and Joao Felix is close to a loan move to AC Milan.
There is no Axel Disasi in the Chelsea matchday squad and he has been linked with loan moves to Tottenham and Aston Villa.
07:01 PM GMT
Special night for Irving
06:59 PM GMT
Get your fix
06:55 PM GMT
Potter returns to Stamford Bridge
06:50 PM GMT
Transfer deadline approaching
There are just four hours remaining before the transfer window slams shut. To follow all the latest rumours, gossip and signing news go to our dedicated transfer live blog.
06:46 PM GMT
West Ham team news
06:45 PM GMT
Chelsea team news
06:42 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday:
Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Everton 4-0 Leicester
Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa
Sunday:
Brentford 0-2 Tottenham
Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City
Monday:
Chelsea vs West Ham
06:38 PM GMT
Match preview
The Premier League weekend comes to a close tonight at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host West Ham in a London derby. Chelsea begin the night in sixth place, one point off the top four, and could move into fourth place with at least a point tonight. Despite taking a very early lead at the Etihad against Manchester City in their last league game, they fell to a 3-1 defeat. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s position in the side has come under scrutiny after his latest mistake leading to a goal against Manchester City last time out. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was asked in his pre-match press conference about the status of the goalkeeper position.
“I do not think so because the first time I spoke with Filip [Jorgenson] in June or July, I was clear that the number one choice was Robert [Sanchez],” Maresca said. “For sure, if the number one is Robert and then because we have two good goalkeepers, we can make some different decisions.
“This does not mean that Robert can make a mistake every game and is always going to play. The number one choice was Robert and we will see on Monday. I do not think so because the first time I spoke with Filip in June or July, I was clear that the number one choice was Robert. For sure, if the number one is Robert and then because we have two good goalkeepers, we can make some different decisions. This does not mean that Robert can make a mistake every game and is always going to play. The number one choice was Robert and we will see on Monday.”
West Ham come into tonight’s match in 15th place and they earned a 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa in their previous league game. Tonight marks the first time that Graham Potter has returned to Stamford Bridge since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023. Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui at West Ham earlier this month, his first job since leaving Chelsea. The visitors are hoping to welcome back captain Jarrod Bowen from injury tonight. Bowen has not played since suffering a fractured foot against Liverpool at the end of December. However Crysencio Summerville is ruled out with a hamstring injury and Lucas Paqueta is a doubt with a groin injury picked up in the draw at Aston Villa.
Team news to follow shortly.
