By Daniel Mcinally
Following West Ham United’s most complete performance of the season; a 3-1 win away at Goodison Park last weekend, Manuel Pellegrini will hope his players can use that victory as a stepping stone during their home tie against a Chelsea side yet to drop any points this Sunday.Â
A brace from new signing Andriy Yarmolenko on his full Premier League debut and a goal from Marko Arnautovic were enough to hand the Hammers all three points last week, and Pellegrini was quick to give his Ukranian forward praise for his performance.Â
“I said at the start that Andriy needs a few weeks to get used to playing in the Premier League.Â
“He demonstrated against Everton that it was the correct moment. He did it very well. After his performance, we must demand him to give more, because he’s able to be a top player for us,†the manager said.Â
West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic is a fitness doubt after injuring his knee was weekend, while Javier Hernandez has a virus and could miss out. Jack Wilshere will play no part as he recuperates from his ankle surgery.Â
Chelsea still has a one hundred percent record in the league this season where they currently occupy top spot and Pellegrini knows his side must be at their best to take anything from the game.Â
“It’s impossible to start better than Chelsea. They’ve won all five Premier League games,†he said.
“Every game is different in the Premier League. We must be confident that we can play at home or away in the same way we tried to do in the last game.â€Â
One of West Hams finest results last season, however, came against Chelsea where Marko Arnautovic’s sole strike was enough to give the Hammers all three points on that day and the manager knows the importance a derby victory can have on morale.Â
“A derby has a little bit more importance, of course. I know, here in London, there are a lot of derbies with different teams,†added Pellegrini.
“Our first at home is against Chelsea, and the team at the top of the table so I think that is one more motivation to try to beat themâ€
