World champions retaliated despite the loss of Cole Palmer because of injuries -

Chelsea endured a miserable start to West Ham, late and losing the Talismanic midfielder Cole Palmer because of the injury, before returning to lead the first half half.

Palmer was seen jogging in the tunnel at the London stadium before kick -off, fear that the English international suffered a problem and was confirmed a few minutes later.

He was replaced by Estevao Willian, and the young of Brazil was soon from the heart of the action. Estevao attempted an intelligent film near the half-chemin line, but was dispossessed by Lucas Paqueta and he ran without opposition before entering a shot in front of the Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who should have done much better.

It would have been easy for Chelsea to capitulate in a hostile atmosphere, but instead, they retaliated.

Joao Pedro had already rejected a penalty call after his race was blocked by Max Kilman, but it was the former Brighton striker who dragged the level of the blues after 15 minutes.

Pedro Neto whipped in a corner of the right, Marc Cucurella lit him with the nearby post and Pedro hosted his head in front of Mads Hermansen.

West Ham thought that they had returned opposite, but the goal of Niclas Fullkrug was excluded for offside against Jean-Clair Tdibo in construction and Chelsea carried their chance to mark again.

Trevoh Chalobah won the package ball with a robust challenge that West Ham estimated to be a fault. The ball was picked up by Pedro and his cross to the distant post was encountered on the fly by Neto, who had entered aaron Wan-Bissaka.

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