London derbies in the Premier League are already predisposed to be dramatic affairs – so the late surprises which befell Chelsea v West Ham on Saturday added extra theatrics to a match which may prove pivotal to this season’s outcome.
Whilst the on-field performances of both clubs were average at best, in what was a tense encounter, the off-field implications of the fixture are sizeable.
Not only did Chelsea scrap their way to a (deserved) victory, opening a 3 point gap on their hosts in the table, but it leaves West Ham nervously looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack of Liverpool, Spurs and Everton in the race for Europe.
Key figures missing for Chelsea and West Ham played a massive role in the result
Both teams came into the fixture with key personnel out of the starting XI – for Chelsea, this was a matter of rotation with a Champions League semi on the horizon.
West Ham, however, had no less than 5 of their regular starters out through injury and suspension, stretching an already thin squad to its limits.
In fact, the Hammers lined up with no recognised striker, and with erstwhile right-back, Ryan Fredericks shoehorned into the left wing-back slot.
It meant that the approaches from both teams were fairly predictable, with the home team adopting a circumspect attitude from the get-go, leaving Chelsea to dominate the first-half possession.
Nevertheless, the blues found it tough to break down David Moyes’ men, who grew in confidence and began to push further into the visitors’ territory as the half wore on. In fact, Timo Werner’s 43rd-minute winner came slightly against the run of play, from a well-structured counter.
Ben Chilwell’s low cross into the box wasn’t dealt with, thanks to a slight mix up between Fabian Balbuena and Tomas Soucek, allowing Werner to steal in and get his side on the scoresheet.
Players, fans and pundits were all left flabbergasted
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In fact, the tense second half’s main highlight came from another encounter between Balbuena and Chilwell, one which left players, commentators and fans alike flabbergasted.
West Ham’s increasing pressure in the second stanza had been resolutely dealt with by Chelsea – but nevertheless, the Hammers were threatening to finally breakthrough and score.
That was, until the 81st minute, when, having cleared a ball long, Balbuena unwittingly landed his studs on Chilwell’s calf in his follow-through.
When the Chelsea left-back went down as if shot, VAR were compelled to review the incident – and after Chris Kavanagh was called to take a look, the decision-makers resolved to send off West Ham’s Chilean centre-back.
The sending-off – widely panned by ex-players and fans on social media as “a shocker” – all but ended West Ham’s hopes of a comeback.
Whilst Chelsea deservedly won, Hammers fans were left to rue what might have been, considering their astonishing last-minute equaliser in another London Derby vs Tottenham months prior.
Chelsea solidify Champions League hopes; London rivals West Ham’s worries begin
The immediate fallout from Saturday’s 6 pointer means that following 33 games played apiece, Chelsea sits comfortably in 4th, whilst West Ham trails their London rivals by 3 points in fifth.
Chelsea’s next month is the most pivotal part of their season thus far, with their high stakes Champions League semi against Real Madrid to come, as well as league games against City, Arsenal and Leicester.
West Ham, meanwhile, face a far easier run in home on paper, with no cup competitions to distract them. However, their injury-ravaged squad appears dangerously short of cover, and with Balbuena now out, have little to no defensive cover to speak of.
It all makes for an increasingly dramatic finish to the season for the two London rivals – but as Saturday proved, the Premier League gods wouldn’t have it any other way.