Chelsea have an unsung hero to thank for West Ham demolition | OneFootball

Bernardo Cueva may not be the most well-known name among Chelsea fans but is a hugely popular one behind the scenes

Mastermind: Bernardo Cueva

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Few will have been more satisfied with Chelsea’s victory over West Ham than Bernardo Cueva.

After a somewhat stuttering start with a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, and with the caveat of West Ham’s own troubles, this was an attacking show that would have seen rivals sit up and take notice.

Chelsea know that to seriously challenge in the Premier League this season, and across multiple fronts including in the Champions League, they must become a potent threat from all angles, including set pieces. Just ask Arsenal and Liverpool.

That is why Friday’s derby win will have so pleased Enzo Maresca’s backroom staff, and particularly set-piece coach Cueva.

Instructions: Bernardo Cueva last season

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Three of Chelsea’s five goals came from corners.

After Lucas Paqueta’s remarkable opener, Chelsea’s equaliser was an in-swinging corner by Pedro Neto, flicked on at the front post by Marc Cucurella and then nodded home by Joao Pedro for his first Premier League goal for his new club.

In-swinging corners were the order of the day (or, rather, night). Early in the second half, Enzo Fernandez fizzed in a delivery from the left, which new West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen flapped at, allowing Moises Caicedo to instinctively shunt the ball up and in via a nick off the crossbar.

For goal five, it was Neto back on the right and with his crisp corner delivery, initially half-cleared but kept alive by Joao Pedro, for Trevoh Chalobah to spin round and sweep home.

Since the beginning of last season, only defending champions Liverpool and Arsenal have scored more Premier League goals from corners than Chelsea. Both title rivals have already proven how valuable that can be when the season really gets going and the relentlessness of multiple competitions has truly kicked in.

It was a standout night for Cueva, but also co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who plucked Brentford’s tactical statistician and set-piece expert from their west London neighbours a year ago.

Chelsea’s other two goals on the night were, first, the result of a high press in West Ham’s final third and then a remarkable turn of pace from young star Estevao to burst through the West Ham defence and put the ball on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.

The Blues will be expected to produce similar moments of magic this season, but when Chelsea’s attack isn’t quite clicking into gear - such as against Crystal Palace - Cueva’s work on the training ground will be an invaluable weapon in the Blues' armoury.