Chelsea overcome West Ham with late goal to climb to 4th place

Chelsea secured a crucial 2-1 victory over West Ham to return to the Premier League’s top four, overcoming a halftime deficit in Graham Potter’s return to Stamford Bridge.

After Manchester City and Newcastle both lost earlier in the weekend, Chelsea faced a tough challenge from the visitors, who led 1-0 through Jarrod Bowen’s first-half goal.

Bowen, who had been sidelined since December with a foot injury, capitalized on a mistake from Chelsea’s Levi Colwill to put West Ham ahead.

In the second half, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made key substitutions, bringing on Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu.

Neto quickly made an impact, scoring the equalizer after a blocked shot from Enzo Fernandez, setting up a much-improved Chelsea side.

The winner came in the 75th minute when Cole Palmer’s cross was deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and looped into the net, with West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola helpless.

The victory lifted Chelsea to fourth place with 43 points, two ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle, while West Ham remained in 15th with 27 points.