Chelsea’s win at home to West Ham was a ‘huge’ result said manager Enzo Maresca as the Blues moved back into the top four of the Premier League.
Jarrod Bowen’s fine goal had the Hammers ahead at half-time but Maresca made four changes and was rewarded when Pedro Neto equalised.
Cole Palmer then hit in a low strike that deflected in off Aaron Wan-Bissaka to seal three big points for the hosts.
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“It is a huge result,” Maresca said. “It was a tough game, especially mentally. It is never easy when teams come here and wait and sit back.
“You need to be patient. There is no space, you need to move the ball and wait for the right moment.
“We are there in the top four and hopefully we can be there until the end. Playing this kind of game in February, where we are still is an important statement.”
Graham Potter was making his first return to Stamford Bridge since his sacking by Chelsea in 2023.
His side impressed throughout, with Bowen in excellent form on his return from injury.
“I thought the performance was really good,” Potter said.
“I thought we were intelligent tactically. We felt a little bit unlucky with the first goal, we thought there might have been a foul leading up to it. Sometimes you need those things to go your way but it wasn’t meant to be.
“Jarrod Bowen was fantastic, he led the team and it was a proper captain’s performance. You see the players that we’ve got and the spirit there. We can be positive for the future.”