West Ham started the game with one centre-half and finished it with none and, ultimately, it proved decisive.
For 86 minutes, Craig Dawson repelled virtually everything Chelsea could summon to throw at goal.
In truth, this didn't amount to very much in the first half, but the home side gathered momentum and created more after the break only to be frustrated time and again by Dawson making blocks and courageous tackles, winning headers and organising those around him like a last-action hero.
![Christian Pulisic came off the bench to rescue Chelsea with a 90th minute winner against West Ham at Stamford Bridge](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/24/16/56990011-10742585-Christian_Pulisic_came_off_the_bench_to_rescue_Chelsea_with_a_90-a-9_1650813004515.jpg)
![The American forward immediately ran over to the stands to celebrate his last-gasp winner with the Blues fans](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/24/16/56990013-10742585-The_American_midfielder_celebrated_his_last_gasp_winner_with_the-a-10_1650813004517.jpg)
![Pulisic was also seen celebrating his goal with his Chelsea team-mates, Romelu Lukaku (middle) and Jorginho (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/24/16/56990015-10742585-Pulisic_was_also_seen_celebrating_with_his_Chelsea_team_mates_Ro-a-11_1650813004518.jpg)
Until one lapse in concentration as he tired.