Friday, August 22, 2025
HomeFootballPremier LeagueWest Ham vs Chelsea - Premier League: Live score and updates as...

West Ham vs Chelsea – Premier League: Live score and updates as Enzo Maresca hands Liam Delap a start ahead of Friday night London derby

Palmer leaves warm-up

By Dan Davis

Well, well, well. Cole Palmer was seen stepping out of the warm-ups earlier than his team-mates before heading back inside.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:

We don’t know the details.

I was watching him in the warm-up and he wasn’t striking the ball with his normal ferocious style.

Something isn’t quite right. We will see. If he isn’t playing, Graham Potter will be the happiest man in this stadium.

epa12317258 Cole Palmer of Chelsea warms up before the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United vs Chelsea FC, in London, Britain, 22 August 2025.  EPA/VINCE MIGNOTT EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Maresca: ‘We said we’d try to adapt’

By Dan Davis

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to Sky Sports:

Joao, as we’ve said many times, can give us different options. Liam we know, is a central striker, he can play together with Joao as two strikers, or one striker with Joao moving a little bit around or wide.

We said we’d try to adapt as much as we can to the squad we have and hopefully they can both do well.

Goals, goals, goals

By Dan Davis

I have to admit I was very, very impressed with Chelsea at the Club World Cup. Some of their attacking play was absolutely stunning.

Their attackers didn’t quite click against Palace, even after the introduction of livewire Estevao, so I’m expecting better tonight.

We’ll hear from Enzo Maresca on his decision to start both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro shortly – so don’t go anywhere.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Cole Palmer of Chelsea walks out of the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on August 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Joao Pedro of Chelsea walks out of the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on August 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

‘What more could you want?’

The stadium announcer has just come on the microphone to welcome the spattering of fans currently here back to the London Stadium for the first home game of the season under the lights. ‘What more could you want?’ he asked.

I wonder whether he’d like the answers alphabetically or in order of preference?

What West Ham mood is REALLY like

By Dan Davis

JAMES SHARPE: Graham Potter was on the offensive as soon as he stepped through the door.

‘Must have been a bad result at the weekend,’ he remarked as he turned to face a rare packed media room at Rush Green.

He could say that again.

A 3-0 defeat to Sunderland to start the season on which Potter was always to be judged, the one after the summer where he hoped to get all the players he needed to overhaul the ageing, underperforming squad he inherited and stamp his style and authority upon it.

Then they went to the Stadium of Light and got trounced by a newly-promoted team with only two new signings in his starting line-up.

To read the full piece via Mail+, click the link below:

‘Show ourselves, show our quality’

By Dan Davis

West Ham boss Graham Potter, speaking to Sky Sports:

That’s the challenge for us: to get on the front foot, be aggressive, be positive – but not to do too much too soon, or be too open because with the quality have they can play through and pretty quickly it can be an uncomfortable evening. We have to get the balance right.

It’s a good game for us. We’re excited to play. We need to get the crowd on our side, involved in the game and make it a London derby. Show ourselves, show our quality.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: A West Ham United fan poses for a photo outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on August 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Bold Premier League picks

By Dan Davis

Courtesy of Coca-Cola, we’ve got some eyebrow-raising predictions from supporters about how the Premier League might play out.

Here’s what they discovered…

  • 60% of Sunderland fans are backing their side to be this season’s surprise top-flight package
  • 33% of Crystal Palace fans – and 15% of all Premier League fans – are tipping Palace to be the biggest overachievers
  • 45% of fans believe Leeds are promoted side most likely to stay up
  • 21% of Wolves fans think they could lift the Premier League title
  • Liverpool fans see Manchester City (37%) as a bigger title threat than Arsenal (18%)
  • 59% of Manchester United fans expect them finish in the top four

Have your say in the comments below.

Jackson absent

By Dan Davis

Unsurprisingly, there is no sign of Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea tonight.

He informed the club he wanted to leave this summer and we understand Aston Villa have stepped up their efforts to sign the striker.

Villa are cautious about overstepping profit and sustainability rules and Jackson is likely to set them back around £60million.

Jackson was also missing for the draw with Palace last weekend.

Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson reacts to getting a red card as he walks off the pitch during the Club World Cup Group D soccer match between Flamengo and Chelsea in Philadelphia, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

West Ham move for U21 starlet

By Dan Davis

Good timing. This is just in via my colleague SIMON JONES…

West Ham have bid around £17 million including add-ons for Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa.

France U21 international Magassa was the subject of an offer from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window.

The versatile 21-year-old plays predominantly as a holding midfielder but can also operate in a box-to-box role and as a centre back.

Magassa started 16 games for Monaco last season and also featured in the Champions League, gaining valuable experience.

Potter: ‘It will take a bit of luck’

By Dan Davis

West Ham boss Graham Potter, speaking ahead of the game:

It’ll take a huge effort, a fantastic team performance, always a little bit of luck, but you are playing against a top team in a really good moment, so we have to perform well as a team with a balance between attack and defence.

We have to give everything.

Reporting for duty

By Dan Davis

All eyes will be on Liam Delap tonight.

It’s worth pointing out here that Chelsea had 19 shots against Crystal Palace last weekend – but failed to score from any of them.

Delap certainly should help on that front.

The players have taken a stroll around the pitch and Cole Palmer was spotted looking typically relaxed ahead of kick-off.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Liam Delap of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on August 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Chelsea - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 22, 2025  Chelsea's Tosin Adarabioyo and Cole Palmer before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

‘As you can tell…’

Just the one change for West Ham but it’s hardly one that’s going to get the West Ham fans cheering. Tomas Soucek in for Guido Rodriguez in the centre of the park.

Still no youngster Freddie Potts, who impressed so much in pre-season. Still no central midfielders who can run. Mads Hermansen keeps his place in goal despite his shocker against Sunderland.

As you can tell, spirits are high among the Hammers.

‘My prediction’

Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both start for Chelsea, one on the left wing and the other up front, which is a slight surprise. Tosin Adarabioyo has immediately come into the defence after missing last week’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace due to a niggle. No surprise there, as Enzo Maresca trusts him more than Josh Acheampong.

My prediction: 2-1 to Chelsea.

‘Potter needs result – quickly’

By Dan Davis

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:

If I was the manager, I’d be thinking ‘I need a bit of help, I need some support’. Nothing has come through the door this week that’s going to change how they’re playing.

This is the world we’re in now – there is a bit of pressure because of the way they played at the end of last season.

He needs a blue-chip win. If they can get that tonight, a local derby, then everyone can start to relax but if they don’t it obviously puts an enormous amount of pressure on him. Crazily, two games into the season.

But he needs a result – quickly.

Chelsea team news – Pedro, Delap start

By Dan Davis

The headline here is that Joao Pedro and Liam Delap BOTH start this evening. I’m assuming Pedro will line up out wide, with Delap the No 9.

Enzo Maresca has made three changes in total. Jamie Gittens has dropped to the bench while Tosin Adarabioyo has been recalled.

Josh Acheampong is among the substitutes.

Let’s see how that reshuffle up top works out.

West Ham team news – Soucek starts

By Dan Davis

It’s just the one change for the hosts from the side which fell to that pretty dreadful loss away at Sunderland last time out.

Tomas Soucek is back in midfield, with Luis Guilherme ruled out.

Other than that, I’m assuming it will be a back three – with wing backs – and a two-man frontline of Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fullkrug.

At least on paper, that’s pretty deadly.

How to watch

By Dan Davis

You can watch tonight’s action from the capital live on Sky Sports. Coverage gets underway on Main Event from 7pm.

You can also grab a NOWTV Day Pass to tune in without subscribing.

Early team news

By Dan Davis

Graham Potter has a bit of a selection headache on his hands.

Crysenscio Summerville and Luis Guilherme remain out while there are question marks over new goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

West Ham’s new No 1 was poor on his debut last weekend.

Chelsea’s big absentee is Levi Colwill, who ruptured his ACL in pre-season and is set to miss most of the campaign.

Nicolas Jackson is back in contention after serving a three-match ban.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or

Hammer time

By Dan Davis

Welcome, all. I bet Graham Potter is hoping for some magic tonight.

West Ham sorely need points – and, even more crucially, a much better performance after their dismal 3-0 defeat by Sunderland last time out.

To be honest, it’s all feeling a bit end-of-days at London Stadium already and Potter desperately needs to lift the gloom.

As for Chelsea, they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in their opening fixture despite fielding their plethora of attacking riches.

I’m expecting goals in this one, so don’t go anywhere. Kick-off is 8pm.

West Ham United fans arrive ahead of the Premier League match at London Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday August 22, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or

epa12316934 A general view inside the London Stadium ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United vs Chelsea FC, in London, Britain, 22 August 2025.  EPA/VINCE MIGNOTT EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Check out our best-rated gambling sites list featuring casinos not on Gamstop available in the UK.