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Chelsea fell farther behind the top four after West Ham came from behind to secure a point at the London Stadium.
The Blues had a quick start, with Joao Felix having a goal disallowed on his second Blues appearance, before the Portuguese forward fired the visitors ahead following Enzo Fernandez’s superb cross.
After Kai Havertz placed the ball in the net again, it was disallowed, and ex-Blues left-back Emerson sprang up at the back post to level for West Ham after a Jarrod Bowen flick-on.
The Iron’s Tomas Soucek had a close-range attempt ruled out by VAR in the second half, before escaping a late handball scare as Chelsea sought a penalty.
Felix Could Be Chelsea’s Savior
Felix now appears to be locked in for the No.10 spot behind the roving threat that is Kai Havertz, which will be bad news for Mason Mount if the forward’s loan deal becomes permanent, as expected.
He was outstanding from the outset, providing attacking structure and dynamism to a Chelsea side that could have run over West Ham in the early stages, with his brilliant finish a just reward for his efforts.
That goal came as a result of a fantastic Fernandez pass, with the Argentine making his second appearance for Chelsea after making his debut last week.
Having spent so much cash on attacking players since the takeover of Chelsea’s new ownership, the club may still feel unsatisfied with the defensive aspects of the expensively-assembled squad.
Chelsea’s finest center-back is still a 38-year-old, and while Thiago Silva deserves the new contract he received last week, he won’t be around forever.
Alongside him came Benoit Badiashile, who was signed on January 5 and is already judged ineligible for the club’s Champions League squad.
Many Chelsea fans are unhappy with left fullback Marc Cucurella and it was from his side that Vladimir Coufal was able to swing in the cross that Bowen flicked on for Emerson to score.
Chelsea have won just one tie in the last seven games and they remain in mid-table in the Premier League as new boss Graham Potter has struggled to make a positive impact on the team’s standing.
Irons Show Determination to Remain in EPL
Earlier in the season, West Ham would have faded away in this game, as Chelsea’s attack in the first half pummeled their backline.
To David Moyes’ credit, however, his team hung in there, helped by the first-half substitution of Soucek for the injured Lucas Paqueta.
Soucek is a player that has seen a lot of action over the last few seasons, and it shows in his performances this season.
West Ham signed players like Paqueta, who was starring for Brazil at the World Cup, to provide a different dimension to the team, but clubs must remember that they need players with steel if they are to remain in the top-flight season upon season.
Soucek is a decent citizen who has done well for West Ham, and he found the energy levels to drive his team back into the game, almost winning it with his disallowed effort.
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