Diego Costa’s 89th-minute strike ensured that Antonio Conte began his Premier League career as Chelsea manager with a victory.
The Blues sealed a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening, with Eden Hazard netting from the penalty spot.
James Collins gave West Ham hope with a 77th-minute goal after a lacklustre display, but Chelsea were eventually rewarded for their dominance when Costa nabbed the winner.
Conte’s side dominated the ball in the opening 45 minutes, while the Hammers created only a handful of opportunities, one of which came from Mark Noble, who launched a low shot from the edge of the box, but scuffed it, which resulted in the ball bobbling into the hands of Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea continued to charge on the frontfoot after having the penalty denied, and a surging run from Hazard almost created an opening as he unleashed a shot from the corner of the box, but it curled just past the far post.
After the break, the Blues were awarded a penalty when Michail Antonio brought down Cesar Azpilicuta with no complaints.
Hazard stepped up and sent the ball down the middle and into the roof of the net to give Conte his first league goal since taking over as manager.
Payet, who came on as a substitute, looked slightly rusty when he failed to pull out a trademark free kick – instead sending the ball into the Chelsea wall.
The resulting corner, though, was beneficial for the Hammers as it eventually fell to Collins, who smashed home from just inside the box to give his side an equaliser out of nowhere.
The match looked destined for a draw as the clock ticked down, but Chelsea’s persistence paid off as Costa drilled the ball past Adrian and into the far post with one minute of normal time remaining.