Chelsea shook off the loss of Cole Palmer to injury in the warm-up and an early goal to record their first win of the season with a big victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah all scored as the Blues handed the Hammers a second straight defeat in a one-sided London derby.
Palmer, who pulled up before kick-off, was replaced by 18-year-old Brazilian Estevao Willian. But West Ham struck first when Estevao’s backheel was intercepted, allowing Lucas Paqueta to charge forward and fire a swerving shot into the top corner after just six minutes.
Chelsea quickly responded, with Joao Pedro heading in an equaliser nine minutes later. VAR then cancelled what would have been West Ham’s second goal, ruling Jean-Clair Todibo narrowly offside before he set up Niclas Fullkrug.
Neto put Chelsea ahead in the 23rd minute with a volley, and Fernandez added a third after meeting Estevao’s cross 11 minutes later.
West Ham’s fans voiced their frustration at half-time, and things worsened after the break. Fernandez wasted a clear chance, but Caicedo and Chalobah both scored from corners, punishing goalkeeper Mads Hermansen on his home debut for failing to deal with crosses.
Many Hammers fans left the stadium early after those quick goals, with boos echoing in their first home match of the season. The 5-1 loss comes after a 3-0 defeat at newly promoted Sunderland on the opening day.
West Ham have now gone six home games without a win, and the eight goals conceded so far mark their worst defensive start to a top-flight season.