Chelsea 3-0 West Ham United, Premier League: Post-match reaction, ratings

Chelsea started very well, with a motivation and impetus to match the absolute need of winning this game after back-to-back losses. And we even opened the scoring within ten minutes, finding another goal from a corner, this time from Thiago Silva .

By then, West Ham already had the ball in the back of the net once as well, and while that was chalked off as Declan Rice was rightly called offside on his run, it was a warning sign for things to come later in the half ... and the game.

Chelsea created a couple more opportunities after the first goal, but it were the visitors who started playing much better at around the 20-minute mark, and controlled proceedings for most of the rest of the half. They even had the ball in the back of the net, again, but this time Jarrod Bowen was called for a foul on Thiago Silva and Chelsea survived to the half with the 1-0 lead.

What we really needed was an early goal in the second half, but unfortunately that was not in the cards. Chelsea did defend well enough during this period, but were absolutely toothless in attack, be that from possession or from counters.

Just when it looked like we would have to settle for a nervy ending, Tammy struck twice in just as many minutes, converting a mis-hit Werner shot and a rebound from a Pulisic header. Right place, right time, right man.

Three goals, three points. Job done.

Carefree.

• Lampard sticking with the 4-3-3, but with a couple changes from last time, including Abraham up top and Azpilicueta at right back after Reece James’ injury. Jorginho also comes back in from the cold, pushing Kante further up in midfield.
• Chilwell injured early, Emerson on. Chilwell looks to have twisted his right ankle very badly.
• Kovacic for Jorginho (moving Kante back to the base of midfield) and Havertz for Pulisic complete the changes (still just three total allowed even with nine on the bench). Havertz slots into midfield, with Mount pushing wide left and Werner wide right.
• Another set piece goal, our 8th (!) of the season.
• Clean sheet back!
• Two goals for Abraham, in the right place both times; started the moves for both goals, too.
• Just our second win against West Ham in the last nine games!
• Declan Rice sure would look good in this Chelsea midfield...
• Chelsea back up to fifth, ahead of Spurs on goal difference and only two points behind second-place Leicester City. Liverpool look in control in first.
• Next up: Arsenal, away, on Boxing Day
• KTBFFH

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