Chelsea Scores Five Without Injured Palmer at West Ham

Chelsea faced an early setback when key playmaker Cole Palmer withdrew due to a groin discomfort during the warm-up before their Premier League match against West Ham, prompting a last-minute change in the starting lineup. Despite Palmer's absence, Chelsea delivered an emphatic 5-1 victory, demonstrating they are not solely reliant on their top scorer from last season, according to head coach Enzo Maresca. Rising star Estevao Willian stepped in for Palmer, making his first full Premier League start and impressively providing an assist, becoming Chelsea’s youngest-ever Premier League assister. Joao Pedro also had a standout performance, scoring the equalizer and providing two assists, further highlighting the team's depth and attacking prowess. Maresca emphasized the importance of managing squad happiness and giving opportunities to other players, as seen in the substitutions that followed the early dominance in the match. Palmer's absence was precautionary, and the coach indicated he might be available for the upcoming game against Fulham.