West Ham United boosted their survival hopes after a late Andriy Yarmolenko winner secured all three points. The Ukrainian scored the winner in the 89th minute after a sublime counter-attack caught Chelsea napping at the back. Michail Antonio slipped through to the winger, who chopped the ball back onto his favoured foot and curled the ball elegantly into the far right corner.
The Blues’ goals came courtesy of Willian, who scored from the penalty spot, before striking an excellent free-kick off the post to level the game at 2-2.
West Ham United Rose to Chelsea Challenge
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Tomas Soucek thought he had the opener when a VAR referral overturned his goal because of Antonio, who was adjudged to be impeding play when it seemed as if he had a touch on the ball before it crossed the line.
However, not long after, Soucek levelled the score up for the Hammers after Willian’s penalty, when he beat Cesar Azpilicueta in the air and Tammy Abraham slipped on the line in an attempt to clear.
The frenzied action continued into the second half and Antonio soon gave the hosts the lead from a swift delivery from the right, powering it past a helpless Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Willian’s free-kick was a moment of flamboyant flair the Blues needed to drag back themselves back in the match, after finessing a flighted effort off the post and in, but the Blues were undone late on as Yarmolenko curled home.
Declan Rice Shines for the Hammers
Declan Rice more than looked the part with the captain’s armband in a battling display from the youngster. It was a game where the Hammers were without their usual captain, Mark Noble, whose infectious character is hard to replace. Rice did his job, slotting in a usual defensive role, looking tidy and stylish on the ball to sustain progressive attacking motions.
What impressed most, though, is a stern and physically imposing application to barge Chelsea players off the ball on numerous occasions. For somebody who isn’t the most robust figure, certainly his ability to read the game and be well within an aligned measurement to recollect the ball shows an ever-maturing player. It’s not hard to see why Rice is so imperative to a side who crave somebody who scraps for everything and wears the badge like he means it.
Lampard’s Chelsea Team Needs the Appropriate Personnel
You cannot fault Frank Lampard this season, who has shown the signs of what could be a complete team. Yet, when Marcos Alonso is way out of position and there are several areas that require investment, it shows progress is needed. The Lampard revolution has taken effect and there will still be confidence that a top-four place can be achieved.
Lampard will be wanting to bring in players who fit within his adaptable creative vision and will be hoping to see fewer losses to their name next term.
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