Chelsea beat West Ham 5-1 with Estevao Willian record

Chelsea teenager Estevao Willian becomes the youngest player to register a Premier League assist in a 5-1 win over West Ham, while Enzo Maresca weighs the youngster's first start.

Estevao Willian sets Chelsea Premier League assist record as Maresca hails debut

Chelsea produced a dominant 5-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium, with Estevao Willian stepping into the starting lineup after Palmer pulled up with an injury in the warm-up. The 18-year-old helped set the tone by playing a part in Chelsea's third goal, driving to the byline and laying the ball off for Enzo Fernandez to tap home. Willian also became the youngest Chelsea player to register a Premier League assist, aged 18 years and 120 days. West Ham struck first through Lucas Paqueta after Willian lost the ball near midfield, but Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto quickly countered to put Chelsea in control. The visitors then extended their lead from set pieces as Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah punished West Ham’s weaknesses, sealing a 5-1 result. Willian had a 77-minute cameo on his league debut for Chelsea before Jamie Bynoe-Gittens came on for the closing stages. In the build-up, Chelsea’s win was built on exploiting the Irons’ set-piece flaws and an early shift in the lineup caused by Palmer's absence, with Chelsea temporarily atop the table depending on later results.

Chelsea’s performance offers a hopeful glimpse of Maresca’s project, pairing young talent with experienced signings. Willian’s record is a milestone for Chelsea’s academy pipeline, but one big game cannot determine a long-term trajectory. The plan to mix academy players with new signings could shape the season, yet it also raises questions about depth and consistency in tougher fixtures. West Ham’s set-piece vulnerabilities were a clear weakness exploited by a Chelsea side eager to press the advantage early in the campaign. The manager’s willingness to promote Willian into a key role after Palmer’s injury signals trust in youth, but the wider squad will be tested as schedules tighten and injuries accumulate. Transfer chatter around Xavi Simons and Garnacho highlights Chelsea’s ambition, underscoring a broader strategy to blend youth with proven talent while navigating a competitive market that includes strong rivals.

Highlights

Early-season momentum can fade quickly; Chelsea will need consistency to turn promise into a sustained challenge.