The match began with Chelsea dominating possession, but it was West Ham who struck first. A mistake by Chelsea's Levi Colwill allowed Jarrod Bowen to capitalize, giving West Ham the lead with a low finish past goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. This goal came as a blow to Chelsea, who had been trying to assert control over the game. Despite creating several chances, Chelsea struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, with their efforts thwarted by West Ham's solid defensive setup[1].

Chelsea's fortunes changed in the second half, largely due to tactical adjustments by manager Enzo Maresca. Pedro Neto, brought on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring the equalizer in the 64th minute. His goal came after a scramble in the box, showcasing Chelsea's determination to fight back. The momentum continued to shift in Chelsea's favor when Cole Palmer's cross was deflected into the net by West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, giving Chelsea the lead. This flurry of activity in the second half highlighted Chelsea's ability to capitalize on their opportunities, a trait that had been lacking in recent matches[1].

After the match, Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca praised his team's mental strength, noting the difficulty of breaking down a defensive West Ham side. "When West Ham come here and sit back with 10 players behind the ball, it's not easy, so you have to be mentally strong and you need to be patient," Maresca commented[1]. On the other hand, West Ham's manager Graham Potter expressed disappointment but acknowledged the spirited performance of his players. Chelsea's victory moves them above several rivals into the fourth spot, setting a positive tone as they prepare to face Brighton in the FA Cup. West Ham, meanwhile, will look to regroup before their next league fixture against Brentford[2].