An old rivalry in the traditional 3pm kick-off slot did not disappoint for action in the end, even if the contest did simmer a little under the boil for the opening hour as the Blues toiled up against West Ham’s rearguard resistance.

Michail Antonio bundled the visitors in front before substitutes Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz fired back in response, sealing a 2-1 victory after Thomas Tuchel’s men were reprieved with a late VAR decision to disallow Maxwel Cornet’s strike in stoppage time.

Fighting from behind

This was the second time this season the Blues have conceded first, though unlike our away defeat at Leeds United, we were able to find a response on this occasion to eventually claim all three points.

In fact, it was the first time in over 13 years we have recovered to win a Premier League home game after conceding the opening goal in the second half. The last time was against Stoke City in January 2009 when Juliano Belletti and Frank Lampard found the net in the final two minutes.

While pleased with the win, Tuchel will surely want to see improvements in the performance levels over the coming weeks as Champions League football returns to add to our busy schedule. The head coach will also be keen for his side to reduce the chaos and manage the state of play in games better.

In our six league matches so far in 2022/23, we have led for just 29 per cent of the time (157 of 540 minutes), meaning the vast majority of the time has been spent pushing for a way back into the contest. By contrast, Arsenal have led for 67 per cent and Manchester City for 52 per cent of their league matches to date.

Right-side reliance

With Reece James operating at wing-back, Chelsea stacked most of their attacking endeavours down that flank in an attempt to break West Ham’s deep defensive structure. Over the course of the game, 40 per cent of our attacks came down that side, with Conor Gallagher handed responsibility to link play with his fellow Academy graduate.

Only our three centre-backs plus Ruben Loftus-Cheek had more Chelsea touches than James’s 68, with a pass accuracy of 91 per cent and two successful dribbles. Yet our three shots on target in the game came from those introduced off the bench, illustrating the struggles endured by the starters and the impact of the substitutes.

Armando Broja, Havertz and Chilwell were the trio who caused Lukasz Fabianski the most concern, with the latter pair beating West Ham’s Polish keeper with a late salvo.

Both goals came after the three were sent on, with Chilwell becoming the first Blues defender to score and assist from the bench in the Premier League, and both came down the left as the defender offered a stronger aerial and attacking threat.

At the back, it was a solid debut for Wesley Fofana on the right of the back three, with nobody on the field winning more tackles than the new signing’s three.

Thiago Silva was also impeccable once again, with a game-high 117 touches plus eight duels won and four accurate long passes, including the assist for Chilwell’s equaliser.

Our late goals also extended Hammers boss David Moyes’s winless run at Stamford Bridge to 18 matches (seven draws and 11 defeats).