Analysis: Blues are not 'Cole Palmer FC'

Given his contribution of goals and assists, and starring roles in the Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, Chelsea had previously been labelled "Cole Palmer FC" by pundits - and even former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Even though there was concern when the forward was forced out of this match as a precuation because of a groin injury, a dominant display and contributions from five different scorers showed his team-mates are capable of stepping up in his absence.

"I'm very happy, very impressed, especially because we didn't start in the right way. Cole injury and conceding after five minutes, but the reaction was very good," said boss Enzo Maresca, whose side shared a goalless draw with Crystal Palace in their opening league match.

"Cole, in the last four or five days, was not 100%. Today, he tried the warm-up, but he felt something and we prefer not to take any risk for it to get worse. We'll see in the next hours if it's something important or not."

Making his first start for the club since joining from Palmeiras, Palmer's replacement Estevao again looked exciting on the right wing despite an early mistake.

Joao Pedro has four goals and two assists in his first five competitive matches since joining Chelsea from Brighton for £55m, while Pedro Neto also scored. Midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo added goals to continue their excellent form in 2025, with both Liam Delap and substitute Jamie Gittens given opportunities in attack.

There is substantial quality in the Chelsea squad already, and it could get stronger before the transfer deadline on 1 September.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons are targets, but it would require forwards Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Tyrique George - all of whom were not involved at West Ham - to leave in the coming days.

Regardless of who comes in, Palmer will remain Chelsea's "best player" - as Maresca admitted after the match.

And the Italian will be hoping the 23-year-old's injury does not sideline him for long, with another London derby against Fulham to follow at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.