With fellow top-four contenders Manchester City and Newcastle losing earlier in the week, the stage was set for Chelsea to take the lead in the race for Champions League football with a win against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
But it looked like the Blues supporters were about to witness a familiar script as Levi Colwill's defensive mistake had the hosts on the backfoot against the visitors, who led 1-0 at the halfway point.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who had already dropped his goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for Filip Jorgensen after the former's poor display against City, made more bold changes soon after the interval to revitalise his side.