Chelsea FC are still not getting into the groove in the new season. The Blues lost 3-1 at city rivals West Ham, with new signing Caicedo having a completely unsuccessful debut.
Just days before the Londonderby at West Ham, Chelsea secured the services of Moses Caicedo for 100 million euros. The 21-year-old was promptly included in the squad, but initially took a seat on the bench. In his mission to celebrate his first win in a competitive match as Blues coach, Mauricio Pochettino relied instead on proven personnel. Compared to the 1-1 draw against Liverpool FC, he only welcomed Gusto into the starting eleven.
Hammers coach David Moyes also made exactly one change from the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth at the start of the Premier League season. Ward-Prowse was preferred to Pablo Fornals and made it clear why after just six minutes.
Corner ball alert: West Ham take early lead
Two times the Englishman struck a corner pinpoint at the second post. Aguerd was able to finish the second of these, his header hitting Sanchez in the net (7th minute).
Chelsea, however, were not shocked by the early deficit for long, but played forward eagerly. Jackson and Chukwuemeka in particular proved to be assets. Jackson put a buttery cross from Chilwell over the top (14). Otherwise, the Senegalese was convincing with his deep runs.
Dance to equalise – Fernandez misses from the point
The equaliser was then only a matter of time. After Jackson had dribbled twice and West Ham were able to clear, the ball fell to Chukwuemeka, who asked Soucek to dance and left the Czech on his left. The 19-year-old – who later had to go off at the break due to an injury – was bone-dry when he dug the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1 (28th).
The visitors could even have gone one better after Sterling brought out a penalty against Soucek. But Enzo Fernandez showed nerves of steel and failed to beat Areola (43rd), who saved a penalty for the first time at the ninth attempt in the Premier League.
Antonio scores from nowhere
After the break, Chelsea looked to pick up where they left off before the break. But Antonio thwarted those plans with a real steam hammer. Also because Disasi did not attack him properly, the striker welded the ball into the left corner of the goal from 18 metres (53rd).
Shortly afterwards, the time had come. Caicedo stepped onto the Premier League turf for the first time in a Chelsea shirt (61st) and immediately got in on the act with a long-range shot that whizzed just a few metres wide of the target (63rd).
West Ham outnumbered for over 20 minutes
The visiting fans’ hopes of an equaliser were to be further fuelled when Aguerd was shown the yellow card for the second time on the night for his challenge on Jackson, which saw him sent off by referee John Brooks (67th).
However, even when outnumbered, Chelsea did not necessarily become more compelling. More than a shot from distance by Colwill (81.) and a few dribbles that were lost in the opponent’s sixteen, the favourites did not manage more until the end of the regular playing time.
Wild stoppage time: Caicedo is guilty of a penalty
The injury time held some highlights. First, Caicedo made a blatant mistake, which Pablo Fornals almost punished with the decisive goal. But Sanchez saved just as well (90th) as Areola did two minutes later on the opposite side after a deflected shot by Madueke (90.+2).
And then it got even worse for Caicedo, who was too late against Emerson in his own sixteen and thus caused a penalty. Lucas Paqueta stepped up and converted for the 3:1 final score. From Caicedo’s point of view – even though he was only on the pitch for 30 minutes – it was a debut to forget, which the 21-year-old would surely like to follow up with a more successful home debut. That should come next Friday (9pm) when Chelsea host promoted Luton Town. West Ham host leaders Brighton on Saturday at 6.30pm.
