Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he knew that West Ham could play the way they did on Sunday at the London Stadium, where they defeated the Blues 3-1.

The Blues played a big part of the second half with a man down as West Ham United got their first win of the 2023/2024 Premier League season at the expense of an expensively set up Chelsea squad who will continue their search for their first three points.

The shock win started with Nayef Aguerd opening the scoring for the Hammers with a header from a James Ward Prowse free kick. Chelsea equalized through Chukwuemeka, although Enzo Fernandez would go on to miss a penalty in the first half.

Michail Antonio scored the second goal eight minutes into the second half before Aguerd was sent off. Chelsea’s latest signing and Ecuadorian midfielder, who was making his Chelsea debut, Moises Caicedo, then, conceded the penalty, which Lucas Paqueta converted at the end of the game.

Pochettino revealed that he was aware of West Ham’s capabilities and admitted that his team made mistakes in the game. 

“West Ham, we knew they could play in this way. They are good in set pieces, it is our mistake, and we must be disappointed with the situation. It is the start of the season, and it is the process. At the moment, we need to be more clinical and score more goals when we create the chances.” Pochettino said.

Chelsea’s next Premier League game is a home tie against newly-promoted Luton Town on Friday, while West Ham United will be on the road to Brighton.

Elsewhere, Manchester United were bashed 2-0 by Tottenham with goals from Pape Matar Sarr and an own goal from Lisandro Martinez. Manchester City pipped Newcastle United on Saturday through Julian Alvarez’s goal, while Liverpool, despite a red card, beat Bournemouth 3-1.

On Monday, a London derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park will round off week two of the Premier League.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu