Chelsea: Three lessons learnt from West Ham six pointer

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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (R) reacts as he waits for an opportunity to bring on substitutes Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner (L) and Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in London on April 20, 2021. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea took on West Ham United at the London Stadium in a top-four, six pointer as the race for the Champions League spots continues to heat up. Against an in-form Hammers side determined to prove a point on the back of the Super League fiasco, Chelsea was very much under pressure to perform. However, as they have shown time and again under Thomas Tuchel, the Blues turned up the heat when it mattered and ultimately came away with a much-deserved victory. Here are the lessons learnt from West Ham 0, Chelsea 1.

1. Pressure? What pressure?

Saturday’s tie against West Ham must have been the sixth or seventh time already that Thomas Tuchel has had a game labelled as “season-defining” during his relatively short tenure at the club. Yet, as was the case in earlier games against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and then Porto, Tuchel’s team once again tided over a high-pressure fixture without much of a fuss.

Always hungry for the ball and aggressive when on the press, Tuchel’s possession-oriented style has proved effective in relieving unnecessary pressure on his defenders. Against West Ham, Chelsea once again had the lion’s share of the ball, exerting an incredible level of control throughout the 90’. The midfield axis of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho completely dominated proceedings in the middle of the pitch, a feat made more impressive considering that the opposition had in fact started with three midfield players.

This victory against a free-scoring West Ham side, whilst undeniably significant, is part of a larger trend of convincing wins that has emerged following the arrival of Thomas Tuchel even when his side is under moments of intense pressure. The quality of play and the results attained during his tenure speaks volumes in relation to the German’s coaching and man-management skills. More importantly, Chelsea’s big-game mentality means that the Blues will always have a chance of winning regardless of the opposition they face.

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