Hazard toiled for 27 Premier League matches without a goal last season before breaking that drought with a brace at Bournemouth in April.
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But it was Costa who ensured the late victory, still on the pitch despite a studded tackle on Adrian that could have earned him a second yellow card.
Diego Costa’s controversial late victor handed Antonio Conte victory on his first Premier League match at the Chelsea helm. With West Ham offering next to no attacking threat, Chelsea continued to attack, Willian working Adrian with a crisp shot and John Terry heading over.
“Diego tried to put pressure on Adrian and before the contact, he stopped”, Conte said, in comments that seemed to be contradicted by the evidence of television replays.
“But I’ll be honest, I am targeted here, by the referees, the people… if I do something, it’s totally different than if any other players do”. But with full-time looming, former Marseille striker Batshuayi flicked on a long ball to Costa, who steadied himself before guiding a shot between Collins’s legs and beyond Adrian’s despairing drive.
“Eden played a good game today with a great ability”, Conte said.
Cesc is Chelsea’s player, and I’m happy about him, with his attitude and behaviour.
Diego Costa’s red card row is further evidence that referees need more video technology help, according to West Ham skipper Mark Noble. “And to see the Italian flag in the stand, I had a bit of emotion”. It needs to be seen, that people targeted me. And with me (were) my wife and my daughter. He enjoyed the intensity which his team played at and came out with a 2-1 win.
Ayew, 26, joined West Ham in a club-record £20.5 million deal from Swansea but is now a doubt for Thursday’s Europa League playoff against Astra Giurgiu.
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“I never blame the refs, because I know how tough it is, how fast the play goes, how hard it is to keep up with the play, but someone has got to give us some help”.
