Chelsea host West Ham in the Premier League as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to keep their hopes of Europe this season alive.
The Blues were impressive as they beat Tottenham 2-0 on Thursday night but Pochettino’s side have been inconsistent this season and the manager warned his team that they must replicate their midweek performance against David Moyes’s side.
West Ham are also still within a shot of qualifying for Europe for a fourth season in a row, but they will likely have to win at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, who have won six of their last seven at Stamford Bridge, would go above Manchester United with three points today.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Coufal is adamant he got the ball but Mudryk’s face suggests otherwise as he grimaces after a firm challenge from the Czech international. Free-kick to Chelsea just inside their own half.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Gallagher gets us underway here at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Chelsea have only won once in their last 13 Premier League games on Sunday, so that should be David Moyes’ team talk done. The teams are coming out now for this London clash.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Chelsea aren’t the only team that are celebrating a veteran centre-back in this game. Ogbonna is making his 200th appearance in the Premier League and if we thought Silva’s longevity in the Premier League was impressive, the Italian may just top it. It is his ninth season at the club, and he partners Zouma at the back. Earthy returns to the bench after that horrific injury he sustained against Fulham in April, so that is good to see. The front line is a menacing proposition as well with Kudus, Bowen and Paqueta all having great season and will look to be finishing strongly ahead of the summer.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Thiago Silva starts after missing Chelsea’s midweek win against Spurs and he will get a massive reception from the Stamford Bridge crowd after he announced his departure on Monday. He has been a great servant to the club, and the fact he is still here (and starting!) speaks volumes about his dedication and ability at 39 years of age. He isn’t the only player to return as Chelsea see a huge chunk of the 14 absentees on Thursday return to their bench, including Nkunku. He has had a tough start in west London but he will hope to get back on the pitch and remind everyone why they splashed the cash on him.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
SUBSTITUTES: Kaelan Casey, Maxwell Cornet, Aaron Cresswell, George Earthy, Lukasz Fabianski, Danny Ings, Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama, James Ward-Prowse.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Alphonse Areola; Emerson, Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma, Vladimír Coufal; Edson Álvarez, Tomás Soucek; Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá, Jarrod Bowen; Michail Antonio.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
SUBSTITUTES: Marcus Bettinelli, Cesare Casadei, Levi Colwill, Deivid Washington, Axel Disasi, Alfie Gilchrist, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1) Djordje Petrovic; Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah; Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo; Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea vs West Ham United
For West Ham, the mood isn’t as good as the table would suggest. They are one place below their London rivals, and if they win today they will go above the Blues, so not completely doom and gloom for the Irons, but it does seem like we are heading into the final three games of the David Moyes’ era at West Ham. Well, his second era, and this one has been far more successful, although in either of those spells and when in charge of Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland he has never won a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. Now would be a good time to change that.