PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski keeps Chelsea at bay with series of stops

PLAYER RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski keeps West Ham in the game with a series of superb stops, while Nayef Aguerd handles Chelsea’s attacking talent ably… but is it time for the Blues to start worrying about Marc Cucurella?

• West Ham and Chelsea played out an exciting 1-1 draw at the London Stadium
• Emerson Palmieri’s effort cancelled out Joao Felix’s opener in the first half
• Both sides had number of strikes ruled out – West Ham late on in the game

West Ham and Chelsea played out an exciting 1-1 draw that did little to benefit either sides ambitions in the Premier League this season. 

Former Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri’s goal cancelled out Joao Felix’s opener after the visitors had spurned a host of chances to double their advantage including having a number of strikes ruled out for offside. 

West Ham thought they had won it late on through Tomas Soucek but Declan Rice was – rightly – adjudged to have strayed offside when the free-kick was swung in. 

Chelsea felt they were denied a penalty when Conor Gallagher’s shot struck the arm of Soucek before rolling through to Lukasz Fabianski  

A third draw in a row for Chelsea leaves them ninth in the table, while West Ham climbed to 15th.  

Emerson Palmieri’s goal cancelled out Joao Felix’s opener as both sides were forced to settle for a point 

West Ham

Lukasz Fabianski: Some superb saves to keep West Ham in the game, denying James, Madueke and Felix twice in the first half, and then keeping out Mount after the break. 9

Lukasz Fabianski put in a series of impressive stops to deny Chelsea in period of sustained pressure in the first half

Vladimir Coufal: His cross from the right set up Emerson’s equaliser in the 28th minute. Tough time against Mudryk, and booked for fouling the Ukrainian. 6

Thilo Kehrer: Went close from a corner, when the ball flew wide off his shoulder, and defended well. Broke forward when he could, too. 6

Nayef Aguerd: Composed against Chelsea’s all-star forward line, and showed some nice touches going forward to launch counter-attacks. Replaced late on by Johnson. 8

Nayef Aguerd once again showed his class as he dealt with Chelsea’s attacking players ably

Angelo Ogbonna: One or two nervy moments but defended well in the centre of West Ham’s back three. Grew increasingly confident and solid as Chelsea’s threat receded. 7

Emerson Palmieri: Scored against his former club, clipping the ball in at the far post from Bowen’s flick on. Tricky time up against Madueke for an hour but held his own. 7

Lucas Paqueta:  Bright start but the Brazilian injured his shoulder when fouled by Madueke and had to be replaced by Soucek after 14 minutes. 6

Declan Rice: Usual solid display against the club who would like to re-sign him. Eventually took control of midfield. One long shot wide, and was offside when his header set up Soucek’s late goal that was overturned by VAR. 8

Declan Rice was his typically assured self in midfield against a club that would like to have him back

Jarrod Bowen: Important assist for Emerson’s goal with a clever flicked header, and full of running on the right. Had penalty appeal turned down. 7

Michail Antonio: Caused problems for Chelsea’s back line with his strength, pace and powerful pressing. Almost scored with a close-range flick that struck Kepa. Replaced by Ings. 7

Said Benhrama: Had one clear run at goal before half-time but denied by a superb tackle from Thiago Silva. Second half free-kick from long range deflected by the defensive wall. Replaced by Downes. 6

West Ham subs:

Tomas Soucek for Paqueta 14: Replaced Paqueta early, one great block to deny Felix. Headed over in the 67th minute, thought he scored a late winner but ruled out by VAR. 7

Tomas Soucek thought he had won the game for West Ham late on but Rice was offside

Chelsea players were incensed when Soucek was not adjudged to have handled the ball

Danny Ings for Antonio 66: Did not have a scoring chance, but gave Chelsea’s defence an added problem when he went on. 6

Ben Johnson for Aguerd 80: Defended solidly when he had to and got forward in a frantic finale. 6

Manager David Moyes: Got his tactics spot on and was unlucky not to get more than a point. 7

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Had no chance with Emerson’s goal and stopped a close range flick from Antonio in the first half. No big sav es to make after that. 7

Reece James: Started at right-back rather than wing-back, but made more of his marauding runs as the game went on. Hit one free-kick straight at Fabianski, another was well cleared. 7

Thiago Silva: The Brazilian veteran signed a 12-month contract extension and showed his value with a superb tackle to deny Benrahma before half-time. 7

Thiago Silva showed his class in a week where he was awarded a 12-month contract extension

Marc Cucurella struggled throughout for Chelsea – largely in getting the ball forwards

Benoit Badiashile: Looked composed early on, but given an increasingly torrid time by Antonio and was booked for fouling the striker after a smart turn. 6

Marc Cucurella: Lost possession in the build-up to Emerson’s goal. Bullied off the ball too often by West Ham’s more physical players. Struggled and replaced by Chilwell. 5

Enzo Fernandez: The British record signing looked superb in the opening half-hour, covering every blade of grass, and setting up Felix’s goal, but faded as the game went on. 8

Enzo Fernandez impressed on his debut against Fulham – and was solid again here at West Ham

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Fed by Felix for an early chance but Fabianski cut out his cutback. Burst forward occasionally from midfield, replaced by Gallagher. 6

Noni Madueke: Lively on the right of attack, and had one shot well saved by Fabianksi after half an hour. His early foul injured Paqueta. Faded and replaced by Mount. 6

Mykhailo Mudryk: Showed his brilliance in flashes on the left wing. One shot well saved by Fabianski, and set up a Fernandez chance after running from box to box. Replaced by Ziyech. 7

Joao Felix: Back from suspension, first full game was as a number ten behind Havertz. Scored with a sidefooted volley from Fernandez’s pass. Had another effort ruled out for offside. Looked superb early on but also faded. 8

Joao Felix’s first half goal showed his talent and he continued to impress for the remainder

Kai Havertz: Played as the most advanced forward, strayed offside twice in the early stages and had one effort disallowed. Put a header wide after the break. Disappointing once again. 6

Chelsea subs:

Ben Chilwell for Cucurella 66: Immediately gave more thrust on the left and was denied a goal chance by Aguerd’s challenge. 7

Mason Mount for Madueke 66mins: Gave Chelsea urgency and added to their attacking threat. One chance saved by Fabianski. 6

Hakim Ziyech for Mudryk 66: ne or two good runs and crosses from the right but no goal threat. 6

Conor Gallagher for Loftus-Cheek 78 Gave more dyanmism to midfield and had a late shot blocked by Soucek’s arm – but no penalty given. 7

Graham Potter made changes to his starting line-up – something Chelsea supporters have got used to 

Manager Graham Potter Picked a strong side that started superbly, but recognised they were losing control around the hour mark and made changes. Still only two wins in the past 13 league games. 6

Referee Craig Pawson Let the game flow. Both sides might argue they could have had a penalty. Pawson and VAR disagreed. 7

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