Chelsea defeat West Ham United: 4 first impressions

Chelsea defeated West Ham United 2-1 in their Premier League season opener at Stamford Bridge. After an erratic opening 10 minutes, Chelsea took over the game but still needed a late winner from Diego Costa to secure the three points.

Chelsea opened the Antonio Conte era with a win at home. Diego Costa scored the winner in the 89th minute, sending Conte into the waiting arms of the Stamford Bridge faithful in the front row.

No, really. How can you not love this guy?

Chelsea fully earned their three points, although they were lucky to face West Ham United to get the season off on the front foot. Here are four quick thoughts as the Blues seek to build off the opening win.

Diego Costa was everywhere except where he should be

Perhaps Diego Costa thought he was playing in a two-man front in the first half and needed to make room for Michy Batshuayi on his right side. Costa repeatedly ranged towards the left touchline, and spent much of the first half well left of the center of the pitch. Costa even found himself behind and to the outside of Hazard on an attack. Another time, he was behind Gary Cahill when Chelsea was on the front foot.

Costa effectively neutralized Eden Hazard by attracting West Ham’s defenders, clogging Hazard’s passing and running lanes. Hazard’s best chance at a solo effort came when Costa stayed in the box, creating a separation that forced West Ham’s defenders to open their coverage.

Costa does not have the pace or footwork to dribble his way from the touchline into a shooting position. That’s what Eden Hazard is for. Costa’s lack of positional sense blunted his and Hazard’s offensive prowess.

Once Batshuayi came on, Costa’s positioning made more sense and the duo combined on Chelsea’s winning goal. Antonio Conte either needs to drill Diego Costa on the where and why of being a lone striker, or shift to the 4-4-2 earlier than planned.

Inconsistent and confused officiating

Referee Anthony Taylor gave six yellow cards in the match. The second half could easily have produced more. Taylor booked N’Golo Kante and Diego Costa in the first 20 minutes on light grounds: Kante for a aggressive challenge, and Costa for protesting a non-call. Cesar Azpilicueta saw yellow in the 75th minute for disputing a free kick Andy Carroll earned through some well-timed dramatics.

Both Kante and Costa committed obvious book-able fouls in the second half. Taylor kept his pen in his pocket on those occasions. You can’t help but wonder if those non-calls were compensation for the earlier over-eager cards.

The Football Association enacted significant off-season changes to protect the officials from dissent, physical proximity and inappropriate contact. Early in the season, officials want to set the tone for the coming campaign. Officials as well as players need to adapt to the new standards and expectations handed down from above.

Giving out cheap cards early leads to referees holding back on legitimate bookings. Let’s hope the messages are sent, and the cards can be reserved for when they are truly needed.

Cesc Fabregas is surplus to requirements

Cesc Fabregas must be wondering where and when he will play next. Oscar tracked back on defense and chased down seemingly unwinnable balls. N’Golo Kante lived up to expectations, repeatedly dispossessing Andy Carroll in the center of the pitch. Nemanja Matic showed semblances of his 2014/15 self.

Today’s match showed that Chelsea has the players they need for a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-4-2 without Fabregas on the pitch. Not only is there not an open spot for Fabregas in either formation, but he does not have the skill set or mentality necessary to displace one of his teammates from the starting XI.

Related Story: What does 2016/17 have in store for Cesc Fabregas?

The two questions facing Fabregas and Conte are whether Conte is willing to move Ruben Loftus-Cheek back to midfield, and if Fabregas has it in him to compete with Loftus-Cheek for that role. If Fabregas is not willing to fight for his place in the lineup – or worse, thinks he is entitled to that spot – Conte will not hesitate to unload him.

Chelsea’s defence will not survive a stronger opponent

First, a mea culpa. We were quick to criticize Branislav Ivanovic’s inclusion in the starting XI. Ivanovic was Chelsea’s top offensive threat through the first 30 minutes, and was the first Chelsea player to threaten Adrian on a close-in near-post chance.

Ivanovic put his striker instincts to good measure in the opening half. However, every time he bolted forward he exposed the back-four’s lack of pace to cover when West Ham returned play in Chelsea’s direction. Leicester City, Manchester City and Liverpool are licking their chops like hungry wolves watching Gary Cahill, John Terry and Ivanovic shuffle through their marks.

Thibaut Courtois had little to do until the final 20 minutes, but he did not look confident in position or control when West Ham created chaos in the box. Courtois is a world-class goalkeeper, but not with a paper-thin defence in front of him.

must read: Rating Chelsea's defensive transfer targets

Chelsea cannot afford not to sign Kalidou Koulibaly. Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich showed their animated #passion throughout the game. This is the time for Abramovich to back up that passion, and support his manager, with a fat check to Napoli.