Chelsea 2-1 West Ham: Diego Costa sets Conte era off with a bang
Stamford Bridge was braced for a draw before the
Spain international popped up to add to an earlier strike from Eden
Hazard and secure maximum points
Diego Costa scored a dramatic winner with one minute remaining to
give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over West Ham in Antonio Conte's first
Premier League match in charge.
Having had the better of a quiet first half at Stamford Bridge on
Monday, Chelsea netted what they thought would be the game's only goal
when Eden Hazard blasted home a 47th-minute penalty after Michail
Antonio had fouled Cesar Azpilicueta.
But West Ham, who kept Dimitri Payet on the substitutes' bench until
midway through the second half, saw defender James Collins stun the
hosts with 13 minutes remaining – scoring with their first shot on
target.
However, it was Costa – fortunate to still be on the pitch following a
reckless lunge on goalkeeper Adrian – who had the last word with an
impressive long-range winner.
Despite the late nature of their triumph, Chelsea - still unbeaten at
home to West Ham in the Premier League since September 2002 – were
deserving of the victory, with Conte celebrating wildly after the
controversial Costa struck.
The Blues are back in action away to Watford on Saturday, while
Slaven Bilic's men have a Europa League tie against Astra on Thursday.
Chelsea threatened first when Branislav Ivanovic combined with Oscar and forced Adrian into a smart save at his near post.
Conte and Oscar were then both demanding a penalty when the Brazilian
dispossessed Mark Noble and charged into the box before going down as
Winston Reid challenged, but referee Anthony Taylor waved away their
claims.
Hazard and Costa both shot narrowly off target as the hosts looked
most likely to make the breakthrough, while West Ham suffered a major
blow with debutant and club-record signing Andre Ayew forced off due to a
thigh injury.
Within 52 seconds of the restart, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when
– moments after Adrian had denied Costa from close-range - Antonio
rashly brought down Azpilicueta, with Hazard smashing the resulting
spot-kick into the roof of the net.
Adrian got down well to keep out Willian as Conte's men attempted to
put the result beyond doubt, while Bilic finally introduced Payet for
the last 23 minutes with the visitors still seeking their first shot on
target.
Costa – already on a booking - was extremely fortunate to avoid a red
card for a lunge on Adrian, before West Ham grabbed a shock leveller.
Payet's corner had led to Cheikhou Kouyate having an effort blocked
before Collins lashed home a magnificent left-footed finish from just
inside the penalty area.
Conte threw on Pedro, Michy Batshuayi and Victor Moses in the closing
stages and was ecstatic when his alterations paid dividends.
It was debutant Batshuayi's flick that picked out Costa more than 20
yards from goal, with the Spain striker finding the bottom corner to
seal a memorable victory, sending Conte wild on the touchline.
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