Premier League Recap: WHU vs CHE Aftermath

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted his side’s emphatic 5-1 Premier League comeback victory over West Ham United underlined that the Blues are not solely reliant on star forward Cole Palmer.

The England international was ruled out minutes before kick-off at the London Stadium after suffering groin discomfort during the warm-up. That setback created an unexpected opportunity for teenage winger Estevao Willian, who seized his chance with an eye-catching full debut. The Brazilian assisted Chelsea’s third goal, collecting a clever flick from Liam Delap before bursting down the right wing and crossing for Enzo Fernandes, who finished with ease.

Maresca was keen to stress that although Palmer remains the standout player in his squad, Chelsea are proving their strength in depth. “The ones that say ‘we are just a Cole team’, for sure Cole is our best player, no doubt,” said Maresca. “With Cole we are a much better side, but last year we already showed in the two or three months when Cole was not at 100 per cent, we still managed to achieve top four, which no one expected.”

Cole Palmer Injury Barely Felt

Palmer endured a lengthy goal drought between January and May, coinciding with Chelsea’s dip in form that threatened their Champions League qualification hopes. However, his resurgence late in the campaign proved decisive as the Blues secured a top-four finish.

At West Ham, though, Chelsea’s attacking display ensured his absence went largely unnoticed. Estevao’s lively performance provided a glimpse of what may lie ahead for the club.

It was a particularly strong response after the teenager’s early mistake had gifted Lucas Paquetá an opener for the Hammers inside five minutes. Rather than shrinking, he grew into the game, contributing directly to Chelsea’s dominant performance.

Ruthless Chelsea Overpower Hammers

After conceding the early goal, Chelsea quickly reasserted themselves. Joao Pedro opened his league account with a header to bring the visitors level, before Pedro Neto volleyed them in front.

Estevao’s assist then set up Enzo Fernandes for the third before half-time, completing the turnaround. In the second half, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah added further strikes, sealing a commanding victory.

The intensity, incision, and speed of Chelsea’s play proved too much for a West Ham side struggling to cope with the sustained pressure.

Maresca Urges Caution on Estevao

Despite Estevao’s standout debut, Maresca offered a balanced assessment, reminding the youngster that mistakes are part of the learning process. “We conceded the goal because of him,” Maresca admitted. “He lost the ball in the build-up. He needs to make mistakes to learn. But overall, the performance was very good. His reaction shows how good he is. It’s the reason why he’s here with us.”

The Italian coach confirmed that Palmer’s condition would be assessed further, adding: “We’ll see now in the next hours if it’s something important or not.”

Potter Left Frustrated

For West Ham manager Graham Potter, the evening brought fresh frustration. The Hammers boss has managed just two wins in his first ten Premier Lig games in charge and acknowledged his side’s failings in front of their home supporters.

“A tough evening for us, of course,” Potter reflected. “We’re bitterly disappointed with the result and the manner of the goals.

“We conceded after starting the game well. Too cheap, I think, against a top team. To concede the goals in the manner we have makes it an impossible task. The timing of the goals hurt us as well. At home we need to create pressure, get on the front foot and force mistakes, but it was a very difficult night.”

Statement Victory for the Blues

The result was another statement performance for Chelsea, reinforcing their progress under Maresca and showing the depth of quality within the squad.

Palmer remains a central figure, but the emergence of Estevao offers hope that the Blues are developing more match-winners. For Chelsea fans, the win at the London Stadium demonstrated that while Palmer is crucial, the club’s ambitions are not dependent on a single player.