
Football
Share
Published 12:01 23 Aug 2025 BST
Updated 12:44 23 Aug 2025 BST

West Ham's awful start to the new season was made even worse last night as the Hammers were dismantled 5-1 at home by their bitter West London rivals Chelsea.
West Ham actually went 1-0 up through a wonderstrike from Lucas Paqueta, but the away side quickly turned things around.
The Hammers have now lost back-to-back games and conceded eight goals in the opening fortnight of the season.
In response to the club's awful start, fans are suggesting it might be time for one of the side's beloved players to move on.
One fan told JOE: "The board need to know, if they don't sign someone in the next couple of weeks Bowen will be gone.
"Bowen should go to another club if he wants to play in the World Cup next year."
Bowen, who scored 14 goals for the Hammers last season, also reacted strongly to his team's dismal display.
At the end of the game he told reporters: "We need to take a look at ourselves. I'm fuming with the first couple of weeks.
"Football has always been about football. Keep the ball out of your net and score in the other net. It's basic."
Other fans discussed the future of current manager Graham Potter, saying "I'd get him out tonight to be honest."
Ex-Blues boss Graham Potter replaced Julien Lopetegui as manager in January and helped guide the Hammers away from relegation, but has since failed to push West Ham any further forward.
The club's only previous period of recent success occurred under previous manager David Moyes, who helped West Ham to their only ever European title in 2023.
He left at the end of the following season and was replaced by Lopetegui.
Many of the fans that spoke to JOE at the end of last night's game discussed the ill-fated decision to part company with Moyes.
One said: "I never wanted Moyes to go in the first place. People said 'Oh the football's not attractive.' But I like winning."
West Ham's woeful start, which included an opening day 3-0 loss to newly promoted Sunderland, has made the club into one of the favourites to get relegated this season.
Explore more on these topics:
150 is a great score in this Manchester United Champions League quiz
A whopper one! Manchester United are back in the Champions League, so it is only right that we celebrate it with a monster quiz. It is a big one, but don’t worry, you have 20 minutes to get as many names as you can. The task is a fairly straightforward one; name as many players […]
Football
2 days ago
Quiz: Name all 36 teams who have qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League
Anything over 20 is an elite score! As the Champions League makes its grand return to screens, we’ve set you the ultimate test on this season’s tournament. Alongside the continent’s superclubs, some pretty obscure teams are also in the running, having qualified for the competition’s opening league phase. Take your chances at naming them all, […]
Football
2 days ago
Football
Ireland’s top five greatest sports stars of all time
Football