Antonio Conte has his lift-off and, in the afterglow of a restorative victory, Chelsea
feel like a club revived. The 10th permanent managerial appointment of
Roman Abramovich’s ownership ended this ferocious derby leaping in
delight on the touchline, high-fiving the fans then burying himself in
the front row of supporters in the east stand, as this arena erupted all
around to celebrate the winner. After all last season’s traumas, the
locals will ignore the inevitable controversy which accompanied success.
One game in and already Conte is adored.
It was Diego Costa, inevitably, whose contribution had Slaven Bilic
and his crestfallen West Ham players enraged. The Spain forward had
already been booked for berating the referee, Anthony Taylor, following
the first-half non-award of a penalty when, midway through the second
period, he attempted to close down Adrián, slid in and planted his left
foot into the inside of the goalkeeper’s right calf. The official took
his time before determining no second caution would be flashed, let
alone the red card for which plenty of the visitors were calling. There
was an inevitability thereafter about where this dramatic occasion would
veer.
The game had entered its final minute, West Ham comfortable in the
parity earned by James Collins’s fine finish, when possession was lost
wastefully, the substitute Michy Batshuayi flicked on a punt forward and
Costa collected just outside the penalty area. Both Collins and Winston
Reid hesitated, allowing the striker time to take aim with the low shot
fizzing through the clutter of centre-halves and into the far corner of
Adrián’s net. The visitors sank to their knees in deflation, Bilic
infuriated on the sidelines. “The winning start was vital,” said John
Terry. “That is the fight and the commitment we want. We dug in for a
London derby. That is great for the management.”
They have missed evenings like this in these parts. Chelsea had beaten only five teams in the Premier League
here last season, surrendering to as many visitors en route, to offer
some context to Conte’s immediate impact even with virtually identical
personnel. N’Golo Kanté for Cesc Fàbregas was his only alteration to the
side, then champions, who had begun the opening game of the last
campaign under José Mourinho.
Yet Eden Hazard, who was to thump home the first goal of the Conte
era from the penalty spot, was unrecognisable from the player who had
taken over eight months to open his account last season. A “great
talent” with a “fantastic attitude” was the Italian’s assessment. Just
as significant was the fact that Costa, for all the trademark
accompanying snarl, has his timing back.
Chelsea merited this success, even if it was squeezed out late and
with the visitors, disrupted by the thigh injury which forced their
debutant, André Ayew, from the fray, justifiably bemoaning the leniency
of the officialdom. In truth, Bilic’s team had flattered to deceive
during a bright opening quarter, the visitors lacking Dimitri Payet’s
invention until the latter stages when that early urgency had long since
been eclipsed and, eventually, overrun. Bilic was brutally honest in
his post-match assessment. “Chelsea were much more aggressive, winning
balls and second balls,” he said, “and their front four were on fire.”
Oscar argued that his early penalty appeal was justified, for all
that he appeared to dangle his leg to seek out contact from Reid’s
challenge. Branislav Ivanovic was denied and Hazard curled just wide,
before West Ham eventually self-destructed. Michail Antonio, still a
makeshift full-back despite the occasional successes he enjoyed in
defence last year, collected on the edge of the area early in the second
half and attempted to dribble away from danger, merely presenting the
ball to César Azpilicueta in the process. The challenge which followed
inside the box was panicked and born of desperation. Hazard converted
with Conte’s celebrations as manic as those in the stands. Antonio was
swiftly withdrawn. 
“I liked the great intensity of my players,” said Conte. “We know we
can improve through work but, today, it was very important to start with
a victory. When a new manager arrives in a new club, he tries to bring
with him his philosophy of football. We are working only one month
together but tonight I saw the right intensity. It’s important to bring
something different from last season.” This was a Chelsea side reminded
of its underlying qualities.
It should have been more comfortable thereafter, the home side
flooding forward with greater structure to their lineup and more fluency
to their attacks, only for Adrián’s excellence to keep them at bay.
But, while the lead was slender, the propensity to crack remained. Bilic
was eventually forced to introduce Payet, the Frenchman’s fitness not
quite up to scratch after his exertions at Euro 2016, and it was from
his corner that West Ham equalised. Enner Valencia’s shot was blocked by
Azpilicueta and Collins was quickest to react inside the box.
For 12 minutes thereafter Chelsea wondered if last year’s frailties
might be exposed again. Then Costa, reprieved from his challenge,
claimed the spoils and Conte had his springboard.
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