West Ham relieved the pressure on boss Manuel Pellegrini as they ended their seven-game winless run with a first victory at Chelsea for 17 years.
Aaron Cresswell scored the winner three minutes after the break as he cut inside and fired low past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea had plenty of chances early on as Christian Pulisic missed the target from a few yards out. The American also wasted a great opportunity late on.
But Pellegrini was rewarded for picking David Martin in goal instead of Roberto as his side held firm under late pressure.
It proved an inspired choice as Martin, whose father Alvin is a West Ham legend, made several good saves to keep a clean sheet on his West Ham and Premier League debut.
The Hammers also thought they had gone 2-0 up after 71 minutes, but Michail Antonio’s goal was ruled out for handball.
The victory lifted West Ham six points clear of the relegation zone while Chelsea failed to close the three-point gap to second-placed Manchester City and Leicester City in third.
However, the day belonged to Martin, who was close to tears at the end of the game and ran into the stands to greet his father, who played in the West Ham defence for 20 years.
It was a performance, the elder Martin would have been proud of.
Third-choice keeper Martin came into the side after a woeful run of form by Roberto, who had shipped nine goals in his previous three Premier League games.
A lack of confidence in the Spaniard seemed to be affecting the team, who had not kept a clean sheet since their last Premier League win against Manchester United on 22 September.
Since then, the Hammers have slipped down the table, adding more pressure to Pellegrini, who according to some reports had two games to save his job prior to this victory.
But former Milwall and MK Dons keeper Martin seemed to lift his defence as the likes of Fabian Balbuena were in fine form.
The 33-year-old admitted afterwards he had struggled to eat once he knew he was set to play.
The nerves did not show, though, as he made a fantastic double stop to deny Mateo Kovacic and Oliver Giroud.
He was roundly cheered by the West Ham fans, who had booed Roberto during the 3-2 defeat by Tottenham last Saturday.
And his Hammers team-mates ran to congratulate him afterwards for a Premier League debut to remember.
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Source – BBC
