New Signings Shine as Chelsea Humiliate West Ham in 5–1 Rout.

New Signings Shine as Chelsea Humiliate West Ham in 5–1 Rout.

Chelsea made a powerful statement at the London Stadium, sweeping aside West Ham 5–1 to claim their first win of the season and briefly move top of the Premier League table.

Despite losing star midfielder Cole Palmer to injury in the warm-up, the Blues produced a dominant performance filled with energy, goals, and contributions from their summer arrivals. João Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah all found the net after Lucas Paquetá’s early stunner had given the hosts a shock advantage.

The emphatic victory was Chelsea’s first time at the summit of the league since December 2021 and the first under Todd Boehly’s ownership, following his billion-pound investment in new players.

Paquetá’s Early Strike, Chelsea’s Ruthless Response

West Ham made the perfect start when Paquetá unleashed a sensational dipping strike from distance in the sixth minute, beating Robert Sánchez. But their joy was short-lived.

Nine minutes later, João Pedro headed home from a flicked Neto corner to bring Chelsea level. The visitors then took control in the 23rd minute when Chalobah dispossessed Paquetá, Pedro chipped a clever pass across goal, and Neto volleyed in unmarked at the far post.

The third arrived before the interval, courtesy of 18-year-old Brazilian talent Estêvão. On his Premier League debut, he burst into the box and squared for Fernández, who calmly slotted into an empty net.

Chelsea Run Riot After the Break

If West Ham fans expected a response, it never came. Instead, Chelsea pressed harder. Nine minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen spilled another corner, allowing Caicedo to lash the ball home.

The misery deepened when Chalobah headed in Chelsea’s fifth from yet another set piece, capping off a woeful afternoon for Hermansen and his defence. Some West Ham supporters even invaded the pitch late on, unable to contain their frustration.

Pressure Mounts on Potter

For West Ham, the defeat leaves them bottom of the table after two matches, with manager Graham Potter already under heavy scrutiny. Following last week’s 3–0 defeat at Sunderland, Potter now holds a worse record in his 20 games in charge than his predecessor Julen Lopetegui.

Chelsea, by contrast, looked like a side clicking into gear, even without Palmer. With new faces making instant impacts and Estêvão showing flashes of brilliance, the Blues appear ready to mount a serious challenge this season.