Positives Continued
3. Enzo Maresca’s Substitutions Made the Difference
Before this match, Chelsea had won just once in their last seven Premier League games. One of the key issues during that period was Maresca’s ineffective use of substitutions, which was puzzling given that he had been spot-on with his changes earlier in the season.
On Monday night, however, he returned to his proactive approach. Marc Guiu and Pedro Neto were introduced in the 52nd minute, followed by Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku just after the hour mark. Trevoh Chalobah came on late to help secure the lead. Every substitution had a clear purpose.
The fresh attacking options helped Chelsea improve their offensive play and gave Cole Palmer more freedom. Nkunku brought control, while Guiu’s energy and press unsettled the visitors. Pedro Neto was direct and immediately influential, no Chelsea player had more touches in the opposition box than him. It was his deep cross that initiated the sequence leading to him scoring Chelsea's equalizer. Malo Gusto also impressed defensively, providing stability on the right flank.
The key for Maresca now is to show that he values these impactful second-half performances. A few of these substitutes deserve to start upcoming games, especially considering the poor form of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, who have started consistently despite underwhelming displays. There must be consequences for poor performance.
4. Moisés Caicedo & Enzo Fernández’s Influence
Chelsea’s midfield duo was not great in the first half, but once fresh legs were introduced, they began to exert more control over the game. Enzo Fernández led all outfield players in ball recoveries and topped the interceptions chart. Meanwhile, Moisés Caicedo recorded a 100% tackle success rate and won the most tackles in the match, earning him the Man of the Match award. Both midfielders were among the top five for accurate passes.
However, their workload remains a concern. The pair have played almost every match for the full 90 minutes, and Maresca has refused to rotate them. Any injury to either player would create serious problems, especially as three potential midfield backups have already left the club on loan or permanent deals.
5. Cole Palmer’s Match-Winning Moment
Although Palmer didn’t score, it was his shot that forced Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s deflection, sending the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola for the winning goal. In the first half, Palmer was not at his best due to a lack of movement from his attacking teammates, forcing him to create chances alone. However, the second-half changes injected fresh energy into the team, allowing him to influence the game more. Palmer led the match in total shots, shots on target, accurate crosses, and chances created. His impact was undeniable.