Chelsea can fire themselves back into the top four when they face West Ham in a Monday night Premier League outing at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ main aim for the season is to secure Champions League football and, though a place in the top five may do it this year, they cannot take any chances and must finish fourth or higher to guarantee a place in the European top-flight.
A win over the Hammers would take Enzo Maresca men to within four points of third but they will need to turnaround a poor run of form that has seen them win just one of their last seven league games.
Tonight they face a West Ham side who are languishing in 15th in the table with the Hammers having lost one, drawn one and won one of their three matches so far under Graham Potter.
Follow all the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
There’ll be seven minutes of added time here, as Guilherme’s cross comes off himself and out for a goal kick.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:50
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Palmer comes off for Trevoh Chalobah as Chelsea look to close the game out.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:49
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Guilherme’s first involvement is to swing in a cross that is headed back to Bowen, but the England man can’t get the shot away in the box and Chelsea win a free-kick.
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
West Ham bring on Luis Guilherme for Aaron Creswell as they hunt an equaliser.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:46
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
The corner comes to nothing but Chelsea are still dominating here, with the visitors struggling to get out of their own half.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:46
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
The game is opening up a little bit as West Ham are forced to press for an equaliser. Neto wins a corner, and that’ll keep the pressure off for a little longer.
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Chelsea are playing in a far more calm manner now that they have the lead, and are limiting West Ham when they’re in possession.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:42
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Danger for West Ham as Palmer picks it up in between the lines just outside the box, and curls an effort narrowly wide of the near post.
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
West Ham make another two changes as Soler and Irving come off for Danny Ings and Orford. Irving had just been booked for dragging down Palmer on the wing.
From that free-kick, the ball bounces off Soucek towards the goal, forcing a great save from Areola.
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:37
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Chelsea were still causing havoc in the West Ham box and the pressure has paid off!
Cucurella lays it off to Cole Palmer, who drives into the box and hits a cross that deflects off a sliding Wan-Bissaka and straight into the far corner!
Chris Wilson3 February 2025 21:34