Lucas Paqueta dazzles, Mads Hermansen flops: Three winners and three losers as West Ham are thrashed by Chelsea
West Ham United suffered a comprehensive 5-1 defeat to Chelsea at the London Stadium on Friday.
The Hammers have now conceded eight goals in their first two Premier League games, after Graham Potter’s men were beaten 3-0 by Sunderland on Saturday, 16 August.
Potter has inflicted further pressure on himself, while the East Londoners need to perform better when they travel to Wolves for a Carabao Cup tie on Tuesday, 26 August.
But which of Potter’s players had an evening to forget on 22 August, and who was a shining light in an otherwise poor West Ham display against Chelsea?
West Ham winners in Chelsea thrashing
Lucas Paqueta
While the Irons put on a largely awful performance against Enzo Maresca’s men, Lucas Paqueta produced a real moment of quality when his impressive strike established an early 1-0 lead for Potter’s side.
The attacking midfielder’s goal will already feel like a distant memory for the West Ham faithful, but he made a solid account of himself in trying circumstances.
Malick Diouf
West Ham signed Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague this summer, and the left wingback showed his class when he notched an assist against Chelsea.
The 20-year-old will be disappointed to have played a part in conceding eight goals in two games, but he outshone most of his teammates against the Blues on Friday.
Callum Wilson
After joining West Ham from Newcastle this summer, Callum Wilson made his first appearance at the London Stadium for his new club.
The former Bournemouth man missed a good opportunity to score with a header, but his attacking intent after being introduced to the action at halftime was a positive sign.
Contrastingly, fellow striker Niclas Fullkrug was named in Potter’s starting 11, and provided very little for the Chelsea backline to think about.
Graham Potter’s losers in heavy Chelsea defeat
Mads Hermansen
Mads Hermansen’s shortcomings in goal have been epitomised by the fact that he has conceded eight goals in two Premier League outings.
Meanwhile, the Leicester City goalkeeper left a lot to be desired when he failed to prevent Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah’s goals in the second half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has bags of Premier League experience thanks to his stints with Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and West Ham.
However, the right wingback showed a total lack of defensive nous against Chelsea, failing to mark Pedro Neto for the Stamford Bridge club’s second goal.
The former Man United man should be worried by the prospect of Kyle Walker-Peters replacing his spot in Potter’s lineup.
Niclas Fullkrug
Niclas Fullkrug’s poor showing against Chelsea was summarised by the fact that he lost six duels against the West Londoners, as per FotMob.
Potter rightfully expects the Germany international to produce a physical presence, but he failed to do that against Chelsea.