Late Fernandez goal lifts Chelsea past West Ham in London derby | OneFootball

Chelsea 3-2 West Ham as Fernandez seals dramatic Premier League comeback

Chelsea kept their Champions League pursuit alive with a remarkable 3-2 Premier League victory over West Ham, turning a bleak first half into a night of belief, noise and late redemption at Stamford Bridge.

Two goals down after a punishing opening spell, Chelsea found life through their substitutes and courage through the crowd, before Enzo Fernandez struck deep into stoppage time to complete a turnaround that reshaped the London derby and the league table.

West Ham authority in opening phase

West Ham arrived with clarity and control, dominating the early exchanges and unsettling a home side that looked fragile and disjointed. Their breakthrough came inside seven minutes when Jarrod Bowen delivered a dangerous in swinging cross from the right. Robert Sanchez hesitated, Pablo applied pressure, and the ball crept over the line.

That early goal set the tone. West Ham pressed with intelligence and tempo, and Chelsea struggled to cope down their left. Taty Castellanos tested Sanchez twice as West Ham continued to probe, before a second goal arrived with deserved precision. Bowen and Aaron Wan Bissaka combined smartly, the move drawing defenders out of shape, and Crysencio Summerville curled a composed finish beyond Sanchez from inside the box.

Chelsea offered little in response. Cole Palmer’s ambitious free kick from long range was their only effort on target before the interval, and the mood inside Stamford Bridge turned sour as the players left the pitch to a chorus of boos.

Rosenior reshapes Chelsea approach

Liam Rosenior responded decisively at halftime, making three changes that altered both shape and spirit. Joao Pedro, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana were introduced, with Chelsea switching to a more aggressive, front foot approach.

West Ham still threatened early in the second period. Bowen and Matheus Fernandes forced saves, but gradually the balance shifted. Chelsea’s passing sharpened, their pressing grew bolder, and West Ham were pushed deeper.

The comeback began in the 57th minute. Fofana delivered a deep cross from the right, and Joao Pedro rose with conviction to head home, injecting belief into the stadium. Chelsea pressed harder, feeding off the energy of the crowd and pinning West Ham inside their own third.

Photo: IMAGO

Momentum swings at Stamford Bridge

The equaliser arrived thirteen minutes later and again it came from Rosenior’s bench. Malo Gusto’s header across goal caused chaos, and Cucurella launched himself forward to score with a diving header from close range.

Stamford Bridge was transformed. Chelsea sensed vulnerability, West Ham clung on, and the game stretched into a frantic contest. Jean Clair Todibo struck the post late on, a warning that West Ham still carried threat, but the decisive moment belonged to Chelsea.

In the second minute of added time, Joao Pedro delivered a low cross from the left and Fernandez arrived unmarked to finish from close range. The release was instant, players and supporters spilling into raw celebration as Chelsea completed a stunning reversal.

Premier League table impact and fallout

Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Konstantinos Mavropanos dismissed following a VAR review amid a melee that reflected the emotional strain of the night.

The result lifts Chelsea above Manchester United into fourth place in the Premier League, strengthening their grip on a Champions League position. West Ham remain five points behind Nottingham Forest, with both Forest and United holding games in hand.

For Chelsea, this was more than three points. It was a reminder of resilience, the value of brave substitutions, and the power of momentum when belief finally replaces doubt.