Ten-man West Ham, on Sunday, recorded a thrilling 3-1 win over rivals Chelsea to leave manager Mauricio Pochettino still waiting for his first victory in charge of the west London club.
Nayef Aguerd nodded West Ham into a seventh-minute lead, taking advantage of some non-existent Chelsea marking to head home debutant James Ward-Prowse’s inch-perfect corner kick.
Carney Chukwuemeka – later subbed with a knee injury – levelled with a delicious strike, the 19-year-old’s first in the Premier League.
The Blues – who resisted the temptation to hand Moises Caicedo his debut after his recent British-record transfer from Brighton – really should have gone in ahead at the break, only for Enzo Fernandez to see his poorly struck penalty saved by Alphonse Areola on the stroke of half-time.
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That proved key as against the run of play, Michail Antonio slammed the hosts back in front eight minutes after half-time and despite Aguerd then seeing red midway through the second half after a second yellow, the Hammers held on for a rousing win, sealed by Lucas Pacqeta’s stoppage-time penalty after a foul by Caicedo on Emerson.
Paqueta started for West Ham, with Manchester City’s move for the midfielder on hold because of concerns surrounding an FA and FIFA betting investigation.
West Ham move up to sixth in the table after their first win of the new campaign, while Chelsea are 15th and still looking for their first three points of the season.
West Ham’s next game is away to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, August 26.
The Hammers then travel to Luton on Friday, September 1.
Chelsea are next in action on Friday, August 25, when they host Luton in the Premier League.
The Blues then take on AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, August 30.
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