Liam Roney’s half-time change inspired struggling Chelsea to beat West Ham United 3-2.

After an incredible win for Napoli in midweek that saw the reigning world champions progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, Ronnie Orl opted to make seven changes during the game, but the counterattack against the Hammers backfired.

Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crissencio Somerville gave the visitors a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time, but the introduction of Joao Pedro, Wesley Fofana and Mark Cucurella at half-time saw the Blues fight back, with Enzo Fernandez becoming the hero in extra time.

With an eye on Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, Ronnie Orr’s seven substitutions have provided opportunities for a number of Chelsea’s fringe players, as well as giving Cole Palmer a chance to return to the starting XI.

However, instead of giving the team with less minutes a chance to shine, the home side looked disorganized and fell behind early on as Bowen’s cross from the right side evaded everyone and fell into the far corner.

Shortly after, two plays passed, with Bowen linking up beautifully with Aaron Wan-Bissaka before the full-back found Somerville in midfield, who scored his third goal in as many games.

The boos were deafening at the half-time whistle and animosity reached a fever pitch as goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez appeared to engage in a war of words with some angry supporters as he trudged off the pitch.

Ronniol responded decisively. Having already replaced the injured Jamie Gittens with Pedro Neto in the first half, he rolled the dice on Pedro, Fofana and Cucurella and it paid off.

The first two combined, with Fofana delivering a perfect cross that Pedro headed home to halve the deficit. Less than 15 minutes later, it was Cucurella’s turn, and after Liam Delap hit the crossbar from a yard out, Cucurella’s header rebounded.

That spirit inspired an even more supportive reaction from the stands, who were willing to back their team in search of a third. They got what they wanted when Jean-Claire Todibo hit the post at the other end.

The only player in the starting line-up who looked remotely threatening was Fernandes, who scored the winner in stoppage time to send Stamford Bridge into chaos.

The game ended in chaos, with Todibo sent off after an altercation with Pedro, sparking a brawl that capped a chaotic but beautiful Premier League advert.

Chelsea move into top four ahead of Manchester United vs Fulham, live sky sports on Sunday. West Ham United have played one more game than 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and are still five points adrift of safety.

Neville: Chelsea looked like babies in first half

sky sports’ Gary Neville:

“Chelsea made their own history, which has never been done before, coming back from two goals down.

“It was a devastating blow for West Ham, who made a huge contribution to the game.

“But Chelsea, you can watch them in the same game and they will do two completely different things. They look like children, babies for most of the game and then all of a sudden they come alive and become a real force.”

“They are in the top four and go into Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-finals against Arsenal, having regained their confidence in their last two games against Napoli and West Ham.”

Ronniol: Comeback is not about tactics

chelsea boss Liam Ronnie Or In an interview with Sky Sports:

“There were a lot of emotions but I’m delighted for the players. The fight, spirit and commitment they showed in the second half.

“Tactics have been thrown out the window, it’s about character, quality and character. The players have certainly shown that.

“I made three changes, Jamie Gittens was injured. I felt an energy before the game, traveling to Italy away is very difficult and the mood of that game I made changes to the team.

“I believe in my team but the performance and energy in the first half was not nearly enough.

“I kept my cool on them and said we can turn our worst day of the season into our best and they were really good in the second half.

“You have to do what you think is good for the team. There was no screaming or shouting at half-time and we changed the formation to a 4-4-2 with Cole Palmer on the right and Pedro Neto on the left.

“It’s about how we win the second half, not the first half. I don’t have time to talk about the first half.

“But it’s not about me, there are some very talented young players here. What I like is the energy in the stadium and that’s what Chelsea is all about.

“Fight, spirit, running, effort, it’s a local derby and we showed everything I want to see in the team in the second half.”

“The first half was good, the second half was bad”

west ham united boss Nuno Espiritu Santo In an interview with Sky Sports:

“The first half was good, the second half was bad. We played well, controlled the game and defended well. We created a lot of danger.”

“I said at half-time we need to defend, do things right, keep the same mindset, control the game and manage the momentum.

“We knew Chelsea would react but we defended poorly and should have done better.

“We can avoid it, cross into our box, we have bodies to control it better.

“It was a reaction (to retreat) but that’s not what we should do. We should keep the same idea as in the first half.

“The back three is for control and our wingers can’t do that.

“I don’t talk about my players, I do what I have to tell them myself.”

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