West Ham striker Josh Landers will go home knowing he couldn't have done much more to secure victory for the Hammer, as he completed a first-half hat-trick for the visitors to put his side 3-0 up and then grabbed another in the second period.

However, Harrison Bettoni's goal in first-half injury-time proved critical for the Blues as we mounted a second-half fightback.

Lewi Richards and Sol Gordon both scored superb - albeit very different - goals to bring the Blues level before Landers restored West Ham’s advantage with his fourth goal.

But with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Reggie Watson made it two penalties in as many PL2 games when he converted and in the second minute of injury-time, Chizaram Ezenwata lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to complete a memorable comeback.

It was Chelsea who applied the early pressure. The first opening fell to Leo Black, whose left-footed drive from distance was blocked, before Ezenwata worked space in the box but his right-footed effort was charged down.

But the visitors went ahead after 13 minutes. Ryan Battrum’s header was not collected and Landers reacted to bundle the ball in.

Chelsea looked to bounce back initially. Bettoni missed with a close-range header, Olutayo Subuloye saw his follow-up blocked, Sol Gordon saw a header saved, as did Richards with his two efforts.

Landers doubled West Ham’s advantage in ten minutes before the break, meeting Junior Robinson’s cross from the right and finding the net from close range.

A third followed seven minutes later. Jethro Medine delivered from the left and Landers was left with a simple finish into an empty net to complete his hat-trick.

Bettoni provides hope

Chelsea grabbed a crucial lifeline in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Richards curled a cross into the box from the left and Bettoni headed home, continuing his promising start to life as a Blue following his move from Wigan Athletic.

The Blues reduced the deficit further in the 53rd minute. Watson’s free-kick was blocked and Bettoni’s follow-up also struck a defender, but Richards collected the loose ball and thumped a superb effort into the net from 25 yards.

By this point it was all Chelsea and the pressure kept mounting.

Gordon drew us level six minutes later, using two sharp touches and his pace following a ball down the channel to beat Josh Briggs before finishing well from the corner of the six-yard box.

Olutayo Subuloye went close to putting us ahead in the 68th minute when he rose highest, but none of his team-mates could provide the required finish at the far post.

But somewhat against the run of play, West Ham regained the lead with 10 minutes remaining. Freddy Bernal produced an outstanding point-blank save to deny Battrum, but with no offside flag forthcoming, Landers converted the rebound from close range.

Calvin Diakite, introduced for Richards, made an immediate impact as he was brought down inside the penalty area in the 87th minute. Watson stepped forward and smashed the resulting spot-kick into the roof of the net.

West Ham would have won it themselves had it not been for Bernal making a superb save with his feet from a header in the first minute of added time.

Instead, Chelsea completed the turnaround moments later. A defensive error released Ezenwata, who lifted the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper with the side of his foot.

What it means

The victory gives us our first three points of the 2026/27 Premier League 2 campaign following the opening defeat at Bournemouth, moving us into the top half of the table.

What's next?

Cobham Next Gen return to PL2 action on Saturday 12 September, when we travel to face Arsenal Under-21s at Meadow Park. Kick-off is at 1pm, and you can watch the game live on CFC+.

The teams

Chelsea: 1. Freddy Bernal, 2. Leo Black, 3. Olutayo Subuloye, 4. Justin Osagie, 5. Lewi Richards (14. Calvin Diakite 81), 6. Reggie Watson, 7. Jashayde Greenwood (17. Ibrahim Rabbaj 67), 8. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 9. Chizaram Ezenwata, 10. Harrison Bettoni (18. Andrew Pennie 85), 11. Sol Gordon
Unused subs: 13. Toby Bell, 12. Dante Waite, 15. Alfie Osborne, 16. Harrison McMahon
Scorers: Harrison Bettoni 45+3, Lewi Richards 53, Sol Gordon 59, Reggie Watson 88 (pen), Chizaram Ezenwata 90+2
Booked: Harrison Bettoni 16, Lewi Richards 74
Manager: Harry Hudson

West Ham United: 1. Finley Hooper, 2. Junior Robinson (17. Connor Brooks 45), 3. Regan Clayton, 4. Josh Briggs, 5. Callum Leacock, 6. Riley Hargan, 7. Ryan Battrum, 8. Preston Fearon, 9. Josh Landers, 10. Jephthah Medine (18. Andre Dike 78), 11. Jethro Medine
Unused subs: 13. Tommy Goodger, 12. Lewis Beckford, 14. Gabriel Caliste, 15. Daniel Cummings, 16. Harry Montague
Scorer: Josh Landers 13, 35, 42, 80
Booked: Junior Robinson 19, Regan Clayton 47, Jethro Medine 68, Connor Brooks 69
Manager: Mark Robson