Can Chelsea maintain this level after West Ham victory? | OneFootball

Chelsea fans left Stamford Bridge with smiles on their faces after a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over West Ham United. It was a victory that felt significant, not just because it put them back in the top four, but because it reminded everyone what this team is capable of when things click.The match did not start as planned. West Ham frustrated Chelsea with their deep defensive setup, and when Jarrod Bowen pounced on a defensive mistake to put the visitors ahead before halftime, it felt like another frustrating night was unfolding.But this time, Chelsea found a way. Enzo Maresca’s second-half substitutions made an immediate impact, with Pedro Neto coming off the bench to grab the equaliser. Cole Palmer then helped complete the turnaround as his cross deflected in off Aaron Wan-Bissaka to secure the win.The result was a relief. With Manchester City and Newcastle both losing over the weekend, Chelsea took full advantage, leapfrogging them into fourth place. It was the perfect way to bounce back from a poor run of form that had seen them slide from second to sixth in just six weeks.Maresca was delighted, calling the result “huge” and praising his players for showing patience against a team that sat deep and waited for mistakes.

Those mistakes, however, remain a concern. Levi Colwill’s misplaced backpass gifted Bowen his goal, adding to Chelsea’s growing list of errors leading to goals.Despite dominating possession, Chelsea lacked cutting edge in the first half. Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernndez, and Jadon Sancho all missed good chances before Palmer saw a free-kick brilliantly saved. It was only after Maresca’s tactical tweaks that Chelsea looked more fluid and threatening.Graham Potter, making his Stamford Bridge return as West Ham manager, felt his side were unfortunate. He believed there was a foul on Bowen in the buildup to Chelsea’s equaliser and that his team deserved something from the game.Chelsea, however, will not care. They are back in the top four, and this win should give them confidence. But with Brentford and Arsenal up next, they cannot afford to slip up again. This needs to be the start of a consistent run, not just another brief high in a season of ups and downs.