BLUES COME FROM BEHIND TO SNEAK NARROW WIN

Chelsea did it the hard way as they came from a goal down to beat West Ham United 2-1 in an entertaining London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro Neto’s equaliser cancelled out Jarrod Bowen’s opener, before Aaron Wan-Bissaka put a Cole Palmer cross through his own net to give Enzo Maresca’s side an important three points that elevates them into the top four of the Premier League.

The hosts did not have things all their own way, but they had the better of the first-half opportunities as Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez both went close.

However, it was a case of smash and grab from The Hammers, led by former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, as Bowen capitalised on some lax defending from Levi Colwill to sneak in behind and slot home on his return from a foot injury that had kept him out since December.

After the break, Maresca had seen enough, introducing Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu with the second half just six minutes old.

His decision would turn out to be a masterstroke, as Neto equalised from close range after his initial inswinger had caused pandemonium in the visitors’ penalty area, and the Portuguese was on hand to tap home.

Chelsea pressed on and went ahead on 74 minutes when Palmer produced a moment of magic, gliding into the penalty area and digging out an attempted cross that looped over Alphonse Areola’s desperate clasp following a deflection off Wan-Bissaka.

West Ham were not done, however, as Mohammed Kudus struck the post with a header from a sumptuous Andy Irving delivery, but Chelsea held on for the victory, sealing the league double over their London rivals this term.