Chelsea benefited from the failures of their rivals to go to fourth place in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over West Ham.
The chances came and went for the blues in the first half, with the two best falling on Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez, both of whom missed the target.
And just when it looked like half of the missed opportunities, a Levi Colwill -BackPass rolled directly into the path of Jarrod Bowen who steered his shot perfectly in the top left corner on his return of an injury.
A large number of changes from Enzo Maresca increased the pace in the second half and they paid dividends with Pedro Neto who drove home in the 63rd minute after a shot by Fernandez.
Fans became optimistic as the home team grew in the game, which culminated in a deflected Cole Palmer effort that sent the bridge to rapture as they went up 2-1.
Only Tottenham has dropped more points this season of winning positions than Chelsea, but they have succeeded in holding them to place them again in a Champions League place.
Here is how Sunssport's Lloyd Canfield rated the performance of Chelsea.
Filip Jorgensen – 7
It would have been a tough task to disappoint Chelsea fans after what they have seen from Robert Sanchez in recent weeks.
There was not much that he could do the opener, and actually made some pretty good stops to prevent his side from being more than one goal, halfway.
Those rescues proved of vital importance and he would expect that he would start against Brighton.
Reece James – 6
His crosses from the right were good during the first half, but nobody was clinically in the box to grab him an assist.
Strong defensive, but in the end did not have much to do in that aspect with Chelsea dominant on the flanks.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Strong in the air and pretty good over the ground.
Perhaps something more could have done to prevent Bowen from opening the score while he seemed to stand and seeing him shooting, but in general was good and grows in a good, consistent Premier League Center half.
His vital block in added time was perhaps the difference between three points and one.
Levi Colwill – 3
His terrible backpass Rolledbowen in perfect to lead the hammers just before the first half time.
A bad and slow version improved in the second half after his side took the lead, but he was lucky not to cost his side points tonight.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Conversely, good from the left back to midfield in a role that seems to be made for him, he was strong in his tackles and good in the air from start to finish.
Brought in dangerous positions in the future, but was unable to add the finishing touches to his game on this occasion.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Tackling and energy is what the home fans have become used to seeing their Ecuadorian torpedo hunter.
A glimpse of that stretched out in the first half into an adult and controlled second 45 minutes where he looked to have the number of Mo Kudus.
Enzo Fernández – 5
Missed an enormous opportunity to lead Chelsea that he rolled along the left hand post from a few meters.
It was his blocked effort that Neto bounced to level the score, but in general the Argentinian looked a bit of the pace in midfield.
Noni Madueke – 4
Perhaps a goal should have been and help in the first half hour, because he was founded by Nicolas Jackson and put the ball on a board for Fernandez, but neither of them was converted.
His best moment of the second half was when he contained the referee before he was immersed for Christopher Nunku.
Cole Palmer – 7
A quiet first half showed the traveling fans compared to Andy Irving, but he soon showed them.
Almost a free kick scored comparable to which we saw against Brighton this season, but it was well stored by Alphonse Areola.
It was his bent effort that brought his side to the lead when he grew more and more in the game.
Jadon Sancho – 4
His fast feet made him a threat on the left in the first half, but again his end product or lack of it cost Chelsea if his replacement would not save them.
Was immersed in the second half for Pedro Neto.
Nicolas Jackson – 3
Early showed a number of promising drawing with a good ball in Noni Madueke, who missed the goal.
Apart from that, he looked like a striker who had no confidence and he was bad before he became addicted to 18-year-old Marc Guiu.
Subs
Marc Guiu (Nicolas Jackson, 51) – 5
Did not really do much wrong or immediately after he came up for Nicolas Jackson.
Certainly sees more confidence in the conference competition, but Premier League minutes in the tank will do him well.
Pedro Neto (Jadon Sancho, 51) – 8
His best performance in a Chelsea shirt since he became a member.
A composed finish saw him give the score before he has more great work in the accumulated Sawpalmer Rifle Home a bent attempt.
Great energy, working speed and end product of Maresca's own Portuguese Magnifico.
Malo Gusto (Reece James, 60) – 6
Was energetic and strong after replacing Captain Reece James, also played a role in the goal that put his side in the lead.
His death was good and he was more like the player who became a favorite in the last campaign of Stamford Bridge.
Christopher Nunku (Noni Madueke, 60) – 5
The team did from position on the left in the position of Jadon Sancho.
But not overly effective, and you feel a bit compassionate that a player takes his best space as good as Palmer.
Also looks like a player who has no confidence.
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