West Ham United

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The 2-1 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday was West Ham's fourth defeat in their past six Premier League games - as many as in their prior 13 games in the competition.

But head coach Graham Potter will hope the return of Jarrod Bowen will help turn the fortunes around for the struggling Hammers.

Bowen, who made his first appearance after fracturing his foot in a 5-0 home defeat to leaders Liverpool on 29 December, marked his return with a goal that pulled his side ahead in the first half.

Despite missing four league games during that period, he is still their top scorer with six goals and has a further four assists in his bag this season.

Tomas Soucek, with five goals, and Lucas Paqueta, who missed the trip to Chelsea with a groin injury, with four are behind the England international.

With the Hammers also struggling with the absence of attackers Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio, the return of Bowen could give Potter's side a much-needed boost as they look to reverse their dip in form.

They will host Brentford on Saturday followed by a trip to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal.

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Graham Potter spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's defeat against Chelsea: "I thought the performance was really good, lots of good things. 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. We could have nicked a point with Mo and I think we would have deserved that."

Whether VAR should have checked for a foul on Jarrod Bowen: "We think so. You can see the defender has run across Jarrod purposely and blocked him off so for us it's a foul. It's just the referee's decision I guess but we thought it was."

On Jarrod Bowen's performance: "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."

On what loanee Evan Ferguson will add to the side: "He's a young player who has an eye for a goal, he can finish, he can link the play. He wants to play football and be part of the team. I think he will fit in with the players we have here."

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With Aaron Wan-Bissaka's first Premier League own goal, West Ham have had more different scorers of own goals in the competition than any other side (42).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

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Following the arrival of Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton, we asked you to have your say on the deal.

Here are some of your comments:

Rob: We finally have what we have been desperate for - a young, promising striker! We must not obsess over the 'injury-prone' tag. At the end of the day, we were desperate for bodies in that position! Ideally two but... beggars, and all that. You definitely get the feeling there is something in the air at the Irons now. I'm more concerned about stemming issues at the other end of the pitch, in all honesty. Really pleased with where we are now, overall. With Graham Potter, I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years.

Chris: I'm very happy with the Ferguson deal. Potter knows him well and obviously rates him. He was brilliant two seasons ago so he has potential. Plus, it's a no-brainer. If it doesn't work out he goes back to Brighton - but hopefully it's a success and we have a young, promising forward!

Mike: We can only be excited about finally getting a striker in. Premier League pedigree and previously working with Potter means he should settle in very quickly. Slightly concerned about the no option to buy, as if he does well the asking price will rocket. But beggars can't be choosers on deadline day so I'm just relieved we now have a potential goalscorer.

John: He's been very impressive whenever I've seen him so I hope he passes the audition.

Dave: Excellent deal. Especially as it is on a loan basis so we can assess fitness and compatibility over the rest of the season.

James: A good move for Ferguson and West Ham. His Brighton career has stalled and will get much needed game time so a positive result for both sides. He has just got to stay injury free!

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Striker Evan Ferguson feels it is a "big opportunity" after making a loan move to West Ham from Brighton for the rest of the season.

Ferguson made just 15 appearances for the Seagulls this campaign, the majority from the bench, having struggled with injuries over the past 12 months.

"It feels good to be here. Seeing the stadium and being here, I've got a very good feeling," Ferguson said.

"I can see and know how big West Ham United is. It was a big opportunity for me to come here."

"I know the gaffer well and look forward to working under him again."

The 20-year-old reunites with Graham Potter, who he made his debut under at Brighton in February 2022.

"He's got plenty of quality attributes as a striker that we believe will benefit the group over the course of the coming months," said Potter.

"We're excited to integrate him into the squad and see him in action in the weeks to come."

Brighton forward Evan Ferguson has completed a loan move to West Ham United.

The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international will join the Hammers until the end of the season, having made 15 appearances for Albion this campaign, largely from the bench.

What do you think of this deal, West Ham fans? Have your say

And what about you, Brighton supporters? Let us know

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We asked for your views on James Ward-Prowse's return to West Ham after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest was ended by mutual agreement.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Chuffed to bits that JWP is back at West Ham. Should never have gone in the first place. Huge mistake that can now be rectified at last.

Peter: Welcome back, JWP. I think we are better off having him here as not. He has Premier League experience. He knows what's expected of him. Now that he is back, he's available to play. It's another option. Graham Potter might be able to get the best out of him. His dead-ball delivery could be just spot on for Evan Ferguson up front, assuming that deal gets done. Our possession-based style just might suit JWP's attributes better than Moyes' counter-attacking style did.

Mike: It was madness to send him out on loan in the first place. We've lacked midfield creativity because all our central players are naturally defensive-minded. Looking forward to some much better balls delivered from corners and free-kicks. Just hope his confidence hasn't been dented by our rejection of him and sitting on the bench at Forest.

Jon: I like JWP. Everyone appreciates how good his set-piece delivery is, but he moves the ball too slowly for a good Premier League side. He'll do a decent job until the end of the season, as we have struggled getting the balance right this season in the centre of the pitch.

Ian: He's not really what we need at the moment. Just getting bodies in is not enough.

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James Ward-Prowse has returned to West Ham United after the Hammers and Nottingham Forest mutually agreed to end his loan spell at the City Ground.

The midfielder, 30, made 10 appearances for Forest, who thanked Ward-Prowse for his "professionalism and dedication during his time at the club".

West Ham said the return of the former Southampton captain will "add experience, depth and quality to head coach Graham Potter's squad for the second half of the campaign".

Hammers fans - are you happy that Ward-Prowse has returned? Let us know

We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Monty: If we don't sign a striker of a good calibre then it's been a wasted and terrible transfer window. Although Graham Potter has just come in, I can't cut him any slack as he should have got a striker at the start when less teams were rushing. Honestly, it's been terrible waking up every morning and the media not talking about West Ham one bit.

Sam: There's a lot of talk about needing a striker and while one would be ideal, my priority would be the defence and getting Konstantinos Mavropanos out of the starting XI. We have enough goals spread across the team to make do. I certainly wouldn't spend big. We're not going down and we're not getting close to Europe, so Iwould not panic spend to save a season that is already over.

Dave: A centre-back and striker are essential. Don't look abroad, look to the EFL as there is more than enough talent there.

Martin: Because we look unlikely to go down and are out of the cup, I'm not expecting anything more than the striker loan that it looks like we are getting. I think we also need an energetic box-to-box midfielder and I'd even recall James Ward-Prowse if we can't get anyone else. Plus a new centre-back assuming that Potter continues with five at the back.

Jezza: We must sign a forward who is already a Premier League player. Too many imports have proved to be costly mistakes as they are not fit enough for 90 minutes here. We also need a central defender - again another top-flight regular - so Harry Maguire would work nicely. We should have signed him last year!

James: Evan Ferguson would be great. Our forward area clearly needs strengthening with Michael Antonio and others out. It is time to back the manager and maybe trim a few.

It's the last day of the winter transfer window and Premier League clubs have until 23:00 GMT to complete their business.

We'll bring you all the news, views, twists and turns as the clock ticks down to deadline.

Follow it all here

a move for Lorient's 18-year-old French striker Eli Junior Kroupi, who is also being tracked by Chelsea and Tottenham. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full deadline day gossip column

Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is back at the Bridge but I don't see it being a happy return for him.

West Ham have actually performed well since Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui, and looked lively, but results have still been mixed.

Chelsea need a new goalkeeper and probably another centre-forward too if they are going to push on but even with what they have, I still think they will be too strong for West Ham.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Let's be realistic.

Instead of setting sights high only for dreams to get dashed, we want to know what the minimum requirement is for West Ham on deadline day.

Be as specific as possible and tell us what will ensure you are satisfied come 23:00 GMT on Monday.

Let us know

West Ham have made an offer worth up to £30m for Lorient's 18-year-old French forward Eli Junior Kroupi. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Chelsea have won their past two Premier League meetings with West Ham by an aggregate score of 8-0 - they last won three in a row against the Hammers between 2010 and 2011.

Since Christmas, Chelsea have scored the opening goal in five of their six Premier League games but have only won once. Across that time, only Tottenham (11) have dropped more points from winning positions across that time than the Blues (10).

West Ham have conceded nine Premier League goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches this season, two more than any other side and their most in a single campaign.

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West Ham manager Graham Potter is "hopeful" that captain Jarrod Bowen could return from injury against Chelsea on Monday.

The England international forward, 28, fractured his foot in the 5-0 home defeat by Liverpool on 29 December.

Winger Crysencio Summerville is a major doubt because of a hamstring injury, but Potter said Bowen's prospects were "more positive".

"He's trained the past two days and we've still got some more training sessions to go, so we're hopeful for him," Potter said.

Lucas Paqueta hurt his groin in the draw at Aston Villa on Sunday with the Hammers boss again keeping the faith his midfielder will be available.

"We're hopeful that he can train at the back end of this week as well but obviously we will have to see," Potter added.

"He hasn't trained so far this week. But again, we're hopeful that he will train at the back end of the week."

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the Hammers' efforts to sign players in January: "The club, the board and the chairman have been fantastic and really supportive. They've been wanting to help and, if anything, it's me and us trying to find the right player."

• Potter added: "I want to make the right decisions for this football club and the right player for this team. Signing a player is easy - there are so many agents pushing players left, right and centre. But the right one for the right price who fits how you want to play and fits into the group? That's the difficult thing. As a club, we have to be mindful of that."

• Asked whether he is being 'picky' about potential new signings, Potter said: "Maybe I'm picky in that I believe in the team and the club, more so than names plucked out of a hat or thrown around in the media. I believe our fans want a team fighting for each other and that's going in the same direction. So therefore my 'pickiness' is just to make sure we get people who want to buy into that."

• Potter said he will not speak about links to specific players and added he "feels for supporters" regarding constant transfer speculation: "Apologies if I'm not going to confirm or deny [links to players] but it's my stance that I don't want to speak about players that aren't at West Ham."

• On the logistics of playing a match on the same day as the transfer deadline: "It doesn't change anything from my perspective. We just prepare for the game and focus on the players we have. We'll work behind the scenes to do what we think is right."

• It will be Potter's first game against Chelsea since his departure from Stamford Bridge in 2023: "I had some good times and special nights there. I wish them well as a club, I'm thankful to them because it was part of my journey. But I'm here now - I'm delighted with that. I'm looking forward to seeing some friends and playing the game."

• On what he expects from Chelsea: "They are a tactically well-prepared team, Enzo [Maresca] has done a great job with that, and they've done a great job as a club in terms of stabilising and rejuvenating the squad. It's a tough game - they're competing to be in the Champions League. We have to play to the strengths we have and we go there with optimism, encouragement and enthusiasm."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news