Estevao Willian Shines in Chelsea's 5-1 Victory Over West Ham

Chelsea FC secured a commanding 5-1 victory against West Ham United at the London Stadium on August 22, 2025. The match marked Chelsea's first Premier League win of the season, following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in their opener. Despite an early setback, with Lucas Paquetá scoring for West Ham in the sixth minute, Chelsea responded decisively. Goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah sealed the win, propelling Chelsea to the top of the league standings.

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The standout performer of the match was 18-year-old Estevao Willian, who made his first Premier League start after being called up due to Cole Palmer's last-minute withdrawal due to injury. Estevao's performance was particularly notable as he became the youngest player in Chelsea's history to record an assist in the Premier League, achieving this feat at 18 years and 120 days old. He assisted Enzo Fernandez's goal, showcasing his skill with a well-timed cross after a strong run down the right flank.

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged Estevao's early mistake that led to West Ham's goal but praised his overall performance. "He needs to make mistakes to learn, but overall the performance was very good," Maresca stated. Estevao's contributions included leading the team in passes in the final third and successful dribbles, further solidifying his impact on the game.

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Enzo Maresca emphasized that Chelsea's victory demonstrated the team's depth, stating, "For sure Cole is our best player no doubt... but I think we already showed last year that we are not just a Cole team." Estevao's performance was met with enthusiasm from fans and pundits alike, with former Chelsea player Joe Cole comparing him to Neymar, highlighting his directness and ability to affect the game.

“Joy to watch” – Joe Cole likens Estevao to football icon after West Ham performance

Despite Chelsea's impressive win, West Ham's performance drew criticism. Manager Graham Potter faced backlash for the team's lackluster display, with captain Jarrod Bowen expressing frustration over the team's basic errors. Bowen remarked, "Everyone has to look in the mirror and be brutally honest," indicating a need for introspection within the squad.

ESPN

Following this victory, Chelsea will face Fulham in their next match, providing Estevao with another opportunity to build on his promising start. The team aims to maintain their momentum and continue their ascent in the Premier League standings.

Estevao Willian breaks incredible Premier League record during Chelsea’s win over West Ham

• "He needs to make mistakes to learn, but overall the performance was very good." — Enzo Maresca, Chelsea Head Coach

'He was not 100%' – Maresca defends decision to withdraw Palmer from West Ham rout

• "He’s a lovely footballer, the kid... he showed great ability, lovely dribbling skills." — Jamie Redknapp, Pundit

Jamie Redknapp issues his Estevao Willian verdict after watching him live vs West Ham

• "Everyone has to look in the mirror and be brutally honest." — Jarrod Bowen, West Ham Captain

ESPN