West Ham vs. Chelsea, Premier League: Half-time report

Another early kick-off, another sluggish start and first-half from Chelsea, including an early goal given up.

Nobody was awake, let alone the midfield and the defenders as Arnautović played a lovely one-two inside of six minutes, shifted the ball to his left peg, and curled one in past Azpilicueta and Courtois. Chelsea have improved since, but West Ham can now sit deep, defend with 10-11, counter with Antonio and/or Arnautović. Buoyed by that early goal, they have been the more willing, more motivated, more concentrated side, playing above their collective and individual levels — Masuaku has turned into Roberto Carlos, Arnautović is the new Messi, etc.

That said, there is plenty of time left to reverse this. West Ham were leading last weekend at half-time, too, before losing to Manchester City. If Chelsea are to keep pace with the league leaders, they will have to do the same.

COME ON, CHELSEA!