Rosenior shows vital Chelsea quality as he creates history against West Ham

Robin Bairner

• 31 Jan 2026 14:18 CST
• 3 min read

Analysis

Liam Rosenior had his doubters when he was announced as Chelsea manager earlier this month, but the former Strasbourg boss is rapidly silencing these critics.

The Blues have, of course, had their share of legendary managers in the Premier League era. Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri and Antonio Conte are just some of the decorated bosses to lead the Stamford Bridge side over the past 30 years.

Against West Ham on Saturday, Rosenior achieved something that none of his predecessors were able to manage: recovering from a 2-0 half-time deficit to come back and pick up a win in a Premier League match.

Rosenior masterminds West Ham comeback

Chelsea were booed off at the break during the Stamford Bridge clash, having been lamentable in the first half of the game. Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville had pushed the Hammers into a comfortable half-time lead.

Rosenior waited until the break then tore up the team from the first half of the game, dumping Benoit Badiashile and summer signings Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho. In doing so, he stripped away Chelsea’s hapless left side and brought on Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro.

The substitutions changed everything. It was Fofana’s surge and cross that allowed Joao Pedro to head the Blues’ first, then Cucurella stopped to level the match. In stoppage time, Joao Pedro provided another decisive contribution as he set up Enzo Fernandez’s winner.

It was a turnaround masterminded from the dugout.

A shot in the arm for Chelsea

While a win over a side in the relegation zone is generally nothing to get carried away over, the manner in which Chelsea’s win was achieved rather changes the complexion of the result.

It will also do Rosenior’s reputation a great deal of good. Yes, he had won five of his first six matches as Chelsea manager, with the exception coming in a tight Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal.

This was his first test in the Premier League, and he has now shown that he can manipulate games in his side’s favour, giving confidence both to his players and the fans that the new era will be a bright one for the club.