Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season after losing 3-1 to London rivals West Ham United on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Report: West Ham United 3-1 Chelsea
Date: 20 August 2023
Venue: London Stadium
Blues coach Mauricio Pochettino made just one change from the draw with Liverpool, as Malo Gusto replaced the injured Reece James as club-record signing Moises Caicedo was only named on the bench.
It was the home side who got off to perfect start when a corner from debutant James Ward-Prowse found Nayef Aguerd, who rose above his marker to head home at the far post on seven minutes.
The Blues took control thereafter but had to wait until the 29th minute to get back on level terms Carney Chukwuemeka did well to carve out space before curling one past Alphonse Areola.
The visitors were awarded a penalty four minutes before the halftime break after a foul on Raheem Sterling in the box. Enzo Fernandez took responsibility but saw his spot-kick saved by Areola.
Pochettino was forced to make a change at the start of the second half as Chukwuemeka picked up an injury that ended his evening, with Mykhailo Mudryk brought in his place for the second stanza.
West Ham took the lead against the run of play on 53 minutes when Michail Antonio managed to break on the counter before finding the bottom corner with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
However, things turned sour for the home side just after the hour mark as they were reduced to ten men after goalscorer Aguerd was given his marching orders for picking up a second yellow card of the game.
Pochettino eventually introduced Caicedo for Ben Chilwell after that, while Noni Madueke replaced Conor Gallagher as the visiting side went in search of an equaliser.
Any hopes of Chelsea comeback were ended when West Ham were awarded a penalty for Caicedo's foul on Emerson, which allowed Lucas Paqueta to step up and seal the victory with a composed spot-kick.
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