Chelsea boss Graham Potter reinstated Félix to the starting XI as one of three changes, with the Portuguese prodigy having completed his three match ban following a debut red card. By making a Premier League (PL) record 67 changes in his 16 games at the Stamford Bridge helm, the Blues’ manager eclipsed his predecessor Thomas Tuchel, but that decision to rotate was ratified early on, as Félix bursted forward with a trademark run from deep and was found by fellow newcomer Fernández, before clinically firing past Łukasz Fabiański.
Another defence-splitting pass led to Kai Havertz thinking he had doubled Chelsea’s lead moments later, but he was adjudged by VAR to have strayed fractionally offside in the process. The Hammers looked shell-shocked by the Blues’ fast start, but they drew level against the run of play midway through the first half, thanks to ex-Chelsea wingback Emerson. Following a speculative Vladimír Coufal cross, the Brazilian was able to sneak in unmarked at the back post to slide home and ensure Chelsea wouldn’t register a fourth consecutive PL clean sheet.
With only seven goals in their previous 12 PL matches, Chelsea were desperate to make up for their lack of potency and avoid a run of eight games without an away win. Clear-cut chances were few and far between however, with opposition player Michail Antonio the closest to giving Chelsea the lead as his defensive header had Fabiański scrambling.
Potter again rolled the dice with a triple substitution, but it was the Hammers who thought they had dealt the fatal blow. Without a goal since august, Tomáš Souček bundled home as Rice’s header could only be parried, but agonisingly David Moyes was made to wait for his 250th PL win as Rice was agonisingly flagged offside after a lengthy VAR review. The drama wasn’t over yet, as Conor Gallagher’s strike looked to have hit a hand, but referee Craig Pawson decided against allowing Chelsea the opportunity to find a last-gasp winner, ensuring that this clash of East and West London would end with honours even.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joao Félix (Chelsea)