Chelsea were booed off at half-time - but there was jubilation at the final whistle. Such was the frustration at the interval that the normally mild‑mannered Trevoh Chalobah was seen arguing with a supporter as he left the pitch, with centre‑back partner Benoit Badiashile dragging him away. It followed what was arguably Liam Rosenior's biggest misstep since joining Chelsea - his starting XI on Saturday evening.
Chelsea were booed off at half-time - but there was jubilation at the final whistle.
Such was the frustration at the interval that the normally mild‑mannered Trevoh Chalobah was seen arguing with a supporter as he left the pitch, with centre‑back partner Benoit Badiashile dragging him away.
It followed what was arguably Liam Rosenior's biggest misstep since joining Chelsea - his starting XI on Saturday evening.
Seven changes from the midweek win at Napoli left Chelsea disjointed, and West Ham exploited the weaknesses.
The first goal came after Alejandro Garnacho and Jorrel Hato lost 50‑50 duels with Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan‑Bissaka respectively, while the second resulted from the £40m summer signing from Manchester United failing to track his runner into the box.
All three players on the left side of Chelsea's defensive set-up were withdrawn at half-time - and the game was transformed.
Chelsea may have vast resources, but the biggest area where Rosenior has already made an impact is with his in‑game management - an aspect for which his predecessor Enzo Maresca was often criticised.
Against Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Garnacho was the saviour with two goals from the bench to keep Chelsea in the tie, while Rosenior's changes helped lock the door for a clean sheet his first league win as head coach against Brentford.
At Napoli, Cole Palmer came on to provide two assists as Chelsea came from 2‑1 down to win 3‑2 in a fierce Champions League atmosphere at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
On each occasion, Rosenior made substitutions before the 60-minute mark, highlighting his tendency to make early changes.
It is now six wins from seven for Rosenior, with the chance for another comeback on Tuesday in the second leg at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi‑final, where Chelsea must overturn a 3‑2 deficit to reach February's final.
Category: General Sports
