Souček: West Ham Must Manage Games After Chelsea Collapse

Key Points

• Tomáš Souček, West Ham United midfielder, stated that the team must improve game management to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
• West Ham surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
• This marks the fourth Premier League match this season where West Ham have lost after scoring first.
• The Hammers dominated the first half and nearly scored a third goal early in the second half.
• João Pedro scored for Chelsea just before the 60th minute, after which West Ham shifted to a defensive stance.
• Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández then scored to secure a 3-2 victory for Chelsea.
• Souček reflected post-match: “We wanted to keep our momentum and that’s what we did in the first half, but in the second half it’s so hard for us, because we know how close we were to three points, and then at the end we lost this game.”
• Souček added: “We had even chances in the second half, but we couldn’t concede three goals. We conceded so many goals, and we have to stop it.”
• He further noted: “They played much better, but we have to manage it much better, even because we know we were 2-0 up, and we just need to win this game.”
• Souček emphasised: “We have to go for counter-attacks again as to score a third goal would be important, but we can’t concede three goals, because it’s sometimes too easy.”
• On mentality, Souček said: “That’s the mentality we should have [to score a third goal], because the best defence is to attack, so that’s what we want, but sometimes when we are winning, we go too much to defence, and then they create the chances and we didn’t manage that.”
• West Ham remain in the relegation zone, six points from safety.

London (East London Times) February 2, 2026 – West Ham United midfielder Tomáš Souček has urged his team-mates to master the art of managing games better following a disheartening 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where the Hammers squandered a commanding 2-0 half-time lead. This loss represents the fourth occasion this season in the Premier League that West Ham have relinquished an advantage after scoring first, leaving them mired in the relegation zone and six points adrift of safety. Souček’s candid post-match reflections highlighted a recurring tactical frailty that threatens the club’s top-flight status.

What Happened During the Chelsea Match?

West Ham delivered an outstanding performance in the first half at Stamford Bridge, establishing a 2-0 lead through clinical finishing and solid defending. They even went close to extending their advantage to 3-0 at the outset of the second half, showcasing their attacking intent. However, the momentum shifted dramatically just before the hour mark when João Pedro netted for Chelsea, pulling one back and exposing West Ham’s vulnerability.

As reported in the original coverage, after conceding Pedro’s goal, the Irons retreated into a defensive shell, a decision that proved costly. Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández capitalised on the spaces left behind, scoring in quick succession to turn the game on its head and hand Chelsea all three points. Souček, reflecting on the collapse, said:

“We wanted to keep our momentum and that’s what we did in the first half, but in the second half it’s so hard for us, because we know how close we were to three points, and then at the end we lost this game.”

This sequence of events underscores a pattern of second-half disintegration that has plagued West Ham throughout the campaign.

Why Is Game Management a Concern for West Ham?

Tomáš Souček pinpointed game management as the critical area for improvement, stressing the need to balance defence and attack when in a winning position.

“We had even chances in the second half, but we couldn’t concede three goals. We conceded so many goals, and we have to stop it,”

Souček stated directly after the match. He acknowledged Chelsea’s improved play post-interval but insisted:

“They played much better, but we have to manage it much better, even because we know we were 2-0 up, and we just need to win this game.”

The Czech international advocated for a proactive approach, suggesting counter-attacks to kill games off.

“We have to go for counter-attacks again as to score a third goal would be important, but we can’t concede three goals, because it’s sometimes too easy,”

he explained. Souček’s comments reveal a frustration with the team’s tendency to become overly defensive when ahead, allowing opponents to dominate possession and create chances. This tactical shift, he argued, undermines their efforts and turns potential victories into defeats.

What Mentality Does Souček Want from West Ham?

Souček called for a bolder mindset, encapsulated in his belief that “the best defence is to attack.” He elaborated:

“That’s the mentality we should have [to score a third goal], because the best defence is to attack, so that’s what we want, but sometimes when we are winning, we go too much to defence, and then they create the chances and we didn’t manage that.”

This philosophy contrasts with the conservative approach adopted against Chelsea, where West Ham’s retreat invited pressure and led to their downfall.

The midfielder’s words carry weight given his leadership on the pitch, often deployed in a defensive midfield role. His plea for sustained aggression aligns with West Ham’s strengths in transition play, evident in their first-half dominance. By prioritising a third goal over mere preservation of the lead, Souček envisions a mentality that keeps opponents on the back foot, reducing the risk of late comebacks.

How Serious Is West Ham’s Relegation Fight?

West Ham’s position remains precarious, with the team still rooted in the relegation zone and six points from the safety mark. This Chelsea defeat compounds a troubling trend: four Premier League losses after taking the lead this season alone. The Hammers’ inability to close out games has eroded confidence and piled pressure on manager David Moyes—or his successor, depending on recent developments—as the season progresses into its crucial phase.

Souček’s assessment implicitly ties game management to survival. Without addressing this flaw, West Ham risk extending their stay in the bottom three. The six-point deficit, while surmountable, demands immediate rectification, especially with a congested fixture list ahead. Fans and pundits alike will scrutinise upcoming matches for signs of improved composure under pressure.

Who Is Tomáš Souček and His Role at West Ham?

Tomáš Souček, the towering Czech Republic international, has been a mainstay in West Ham’s midfield since joining from Slavia Prague. Known for his aerial prowess, work rate, and goal-scoring threat from set-pieces, Souček often anchors the team defensively while contributing offensively. In this match, his post-match interview, as captured in the primary reporting, positioned him as a voice of reason amid the disappointment.

His statements reflect not just personal frustration but a collective call to action. Souček’s experience—over 100 Premier League appearances—lends credibility to his analysis. As a leader, he embodies the resilience West Ham need, but his words also spotlight systemic issues within the squad’s approach.

What Patterns Emerge from West Ham’s Season?

This Chelsea loss is no isolated incident. West Ham have now lost four Premier League games after scoring first this term, a statistic that alarms supporters.

The pattern is clear: strong starts undone by second-half lapses. Against Chelsea, the first half showcased their potential—outstanding football, near-misses for a third goal—yet the response to Pedro’s strike exposed frailties.

Souček’s reflection on conceding “so many goals” highlights a porous defence when leading. The ease with which Cucurella and Fernández scored suggests lapses in concentration and organisation. Addressing this requires tactical drills, personnel changes, or a mindset shift, all of which Souček implicitly endorses through his counter-attacking advocacy.

Could West Ham’s Tactics Change Post-Chelsea?

The midfielder’s blueprint—pursue a third goal via counters while avoiding defensive over-reliance—offers a potential pivot. “We have to go for counter-attacks again,” Souček urged, recognising that killing games offensively neutralises opponents. This approach suits West Ham’s personnel, including pacey forwards and Souček’s box-crashing runs.

Implementing it demands discipline: attack smartly without exposure. Souček’s admission that concessions feel “too easy” points to individual errors compounding tactical choices. Training ground focus on scenarios like 2-0 leads could instil the management he craves.

What Lies Ahead for West Ham?

With the relegation battle intensifying, Souček’s message resonates beyond Stamford Bridge. West Ham face a defining run of fixtures, where game management will determine survival. Six points from safety is a gap they must close swiftly, starting with a reaction in the next outing.

The club hierarchy, players, and fans share Souček’s urgency. His leadership in articulating the issues positions him as a rallying point. If West Ham heed his words—balancing attack and defence—they can arrest the slide. Failure to do so risks a perilous drop.