Chelsea is full of opportunities to rise to third place because in the early match in the round of July 32, Leicester lost 1-2 on Everton’s field. Unfortunately, Frank Lampard’s army was white and still stomping at No. 4 on the table.

Willian opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 41st minute, just before the break in Soucek equalized 1-1 for West Ham. Antonio put the home side ahead 2-1 in 51 minutes, Chelsea equalized 2-2 in the 72nd minute thanks to Willian. The winning goal for West Ham 3-2 was Yarmolenko scored in the 89th minute.

Defeat to West Ham brought Chelsea back to the ground, Lampard’s side won three recent victories, including two in the Premier League. Once again, the death of Chelsea’s defense made them fail again. Perhaps if Chelsea want to compete for the title next season, in addition to strengthening the frontline players, they need to focus more on recruiting defense personnel.

Empty-handed in the round of 32 made Chelsea still stomp on the score 54, they are still one point behind the third team Leicester, but only two points better than the fifth team Man Utd. The top 4 Premier League race is getting hotter when Leicester, Chelsea are erratic, the team chasing Man Utd, Wolves is sublime.

Extremely valuable victory with West Ham. David Moyes’ side are 30 points, up to 16, three points above the relegation group. West Ham’s relegation battle is still long, but it seems they are seeing "light at the end of the tunnel".

Antonio scored a goal against Chelsea

At home, West Ham players started very confidently when they welcomed Chelsea. Coach Moyes’s army seemed to understand that every match with them is now the final because before the round of 32, West Ham is only better than the sub-group relegation.

Chelsea controlled the ball better than the home team, but they did not easily get the attacks that threatened Fabianski’s goal. It was not until the 20 minute that Chelsea had the first real situation to cause a storm, Pulisic quickly finished the top of the penalty area and went over the crossbar. 

West Ham also tried to create several counter attacks. In the 34th minute, the visitors’ net vibrated after Soucek’s finish. VAR came in and determined the ball hit Antonio in the first shot of Soucek, the second time he shot the ball into the net, because Antonio was offside so the goal was not recognized. 

Abraham shared joy with Willian after the Brazilian opened the scoring

Luckily VAR helped escape, Chelsea continued to be lucky after that. 40 minutes, Pulisic broke into the penalty area causing Diop to make a foul. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot, Willian hit a free kick to bring the score back.

In a situation that conceded in the 34th minute, Azpilicueta did not include Soucek. The Spanish defender did not learn from experience and then Chelsea had to pay the price. 45 minutes into the match, Soucek continued Azpilicueta’s shot high into the top corner from the corner. This time the referee no longer had any reason to reject a West Ham goal.

Chelsea’s defense went awry in the first half, half-time break did not help them get better, so Chelsea continued to concede at the beginning of the second half. 51 minutes, Alonso left Bowden stretched right from the center of the penalty area, no one accompanied Antonio to this player easily cushioned the ball into the net to make it 2-1.

Soucek celebrates his goal against Chelsea

Having a goal to take the lead, West Ham played in the majority defense which caused Chelsea many difficulties in attacking. 72 minutes, the visitors were awarded a free kick about 26m from West Ham goal, a little left. Willian takes a free kick and hits the right post to fly into the net to bring the equalizer to 2-2 for Chelsea.

Having equalized, Chelsea actively forced the opponent to seek more goals to win all three points. Engaged in attacking, Chelsea was hit by a counterattack in the 89th minute. Yarmolenko received the ball very open on the right, the Ukrainian player went to Rudiger’s flank and finished the ball from the center of the penalty area to the right corner of the goal. number up to 3-2. 

Chelsea’s defense was so bad at this goal. Alonso, Christensen surged too high and did not retreat. Azpilicueta could not close Antonio, while Rudiger was too naive and forgot that the left-footed opponent should rush into the right corner of the opponent. Consistent mistakes in the defense caused Chelsea to leave the Olympic Stadium.

Squad

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen (Yarmolenko 78 ’), Lanzini (Wilshere 68’), Fornals (Balbuena 90 + 3 ’); Antonio

Chelsea (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso; Barkley (Loftus-Cheek 63 ’), Kante, Kovacic (Mount 53’); Willian, Abraham (Giroud 63 ’), Pulisic