Marc: We are still hot without Cole

DEFENDER Marc Cucurella believes Chelsea have shown they don’t have to solely rely on Cole Palmer — but warned it’s too early to call themselves title contenders.

- By Patrick Austen-Hardy

Enzo Maresca’s side suffered a setback when England star Palmer pulled up injured minutes before kickoff, but they still cruised to victory at the London Stadium.

The Blues fell behind through Lucas Paqueta’s swirling strike, but goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez put the west Londoners in control.

Hammers’ fans booed Graham Potter’s side at the break, before Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah’s second-half goals triggered a mass exodus of home supporters.

After the game, Cucurella (below) said: “We have a big squad with a lot of players. I think all of us now and during the season, we are all important.”