Chelsea claimed a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in a hard-fought London derby. The expected goals (xG) battle was nearly even—1.42 for Chelsea and 1.35 for West Ham—but it was the Blues who made the most of their opportunities. West Ham had moments of promise but were ultimately undone by Chelsea’s clinical finishing.

Final Score: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
📊 xG: Chelsea (1.42) – West Ham (1.35)
🎯 Shots on Target: Chelsea (3) – West Ham (5)
⚽ Goals: Neto (63’), Wan-Bissaka own-goal (74’) – Bowen (41’)

Momentum Swings, But Chelsea Seizes Control

The match momentum chart reflects a game of swings, with both sides enjoying spells of dominance. West Ham started cautiously but grew into the game, threatening Chelsea’s goal around the 40-minute mark when Jarrod Bowen found the net (xG: 0.12). However, Chelsea responded strongly in the second half, with Pedro Neto’s goal in the 63rd minute (xG: 0.27) tipping the scales before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s own goal sealed it for Chelsea in the 74th minute.

Shot Battle: Chelsea’s Wastefulness vs West Ham’s Efficiency

Chelsea Shot Map: Showed a scatter of long-range efforts, with only one goal coming from inside the box.

Chelsea took 19 shots compared to West Ham’s 12, but the Blues only managed three shots on target, underscoring their inefficiency in front of goal.

West Ham Shot Map: More disciplined in attack, focusing their attempts in and around the six-yard box.

West Ham, on the other hand, had five shots on target, capitalizing on their limited opportunities. The Hammers had more blocked shots (8) than Chelsea (3), with the Blues’ defense working hard to shut down West Ham’s forward play.

Pass Maps: Chelsea’s Midfield Dictates Play

Chelsea’s pass map reveals a midfield-heavy approach, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández pivotal in controlling possession. Cole Palmer was instrumental in linking midfield to attack, while Reece James and Marc Cucurella provided width.

West Ham, in contrast, relied on Tomas Souček and Mohammed Kudus to progress the ball, with Jarrod Bowen positioned as the main attacking outlet. Their passing was more direct, aiming to exploit gaps in Chelsea’s defensive structure.

Chelsea were dominant in possession (67%) and dictated the tempo, but West Ham remained a threat throughout, with their counterattacks causing problems. Despite the narrow xG difference, the Blues did just enough to edge past their London rivals.