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West Ham vs. Chelsea: Score, Reaction from 2016 EFL Cup Match
- Updated: October 26, 2016
West Ham United moved into the quarter-finals of the 2016-17 EFL Cup after goals by Cheikhou Kouyate and Edimilson Fernandes guided them to a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the London Stadium, where Gary Cahill bagged a stoppage-time consolation on Wednesday.
N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Cahill were the only players Blues manager Antonio Conte retained from the side that dominated Manchester United 4-0 on Sunday. Willian, Oscar, Michy Batshuayi and Nathaniel Chalobah were among the names forming a new-look midfield and attack.
Hammers chief Slaven Bilic made only two changes to the XI that edged Sunderland 1-0 on Saturday, dropping Simone Zaza and goalkeeper Adrian in favour of Aaron Cresswell and Darren Randolph, respectively.
It was feared the London derby could cause tensions to erupt, however, and BBC Sport’s Richard Conway reported on the aggression that unfolded in the stands near the conclusion of West Ham’s win:
West Ham closing in on victory. Tensions rising between home fans and those in away end. Seat ripped up and thrown into Chelsea section. pic.twitter.com/iL98XHu3us
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) October 26, 2016
Football Away Days shared footage:
Tensions starting to rise at West Ham v Chelsea. Seats being ripped up and thrown as both sets of fans try to get to each other #WHUFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/utYRRP94Kh
— Football Away Days (@footyawayday) October 26, 2016
The changes for both teams meant the London Stadium was in a state of suspense approaching kick-off, and West Ham came into the clash having assembled a three-match unbeaten streak at the opportune moment.
That momentum paid off dividends early, as Kouyate needed just 11 minutes to guide a superb header past Asmir Begovic from the edge of the box.
Goal.com Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella couldn’t help but laud the effort:
That is some header from Kouyate
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 26, 2016
The Senegal international met Mark Noble’s incisive cross terrifically, and recalled John Terry was the one to blame for failing to keep the header out of his area.
Tactics have been a major talking point since Conte arrived at the Chelsea helm, but Squawka’s Greg Johnson noticed the hosts were having more success through positioning in the first half:
West Ham are definitely playing a back four without the ball but shape looking very malleable in possession. Full-backs flying …
