Chelsea’s victory at the West Ham home was a “huge” result of the director Enzo Maresca, as the Blues moved back to the top four of the Premier League.
Jarrod Bowen’s good goal had the hammers in front of the half, but Maresca made four changes and was rewarded when Pedro Neto was balanced.
Cole Palmer then hit a low strike by Aaron Wan-Bissaka to seal three large spots for the hosts.
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– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) 3 February 2025
“It’s a huge result,” Maresca said. “It was a difficult game, especially mentally. It’s never easy when the teams come here and wait and sit back.
“You have to be patient. There is no room, you need to move the ball and wait for the right time.
“We are there in the first four and hope we can be there until the end. Playing this kind of game in February, where we are still an important statement.”
Graham Potter made his first return to Stamford Bridge from his removal from Chelsea in 2023.
His side was impressed throughout, with Bowen in excellent form on his return from the injury.
“I thought the show was really good,” Potter said.
“I thought we were smart regularly. We felt a little unlucky with the first goal, we thought that maybe there was a foul that was leading to it. Sometimes you need these things to go on your way, but it wasn’t meant to be.
“Jarrod Bowen was fantastic, led the team and was a proper performance of the captain. You see the players we have and the spirit there. We can be positive for the future.”
