This game simply has to improve in the second half. It cannot be worse. Or can it?

Yes, Ward-Prowse’s goal was from a free-kick. Of course it was.

Burnley and Wolves are goalless at the break. This means that as things stand the home side will move above Everton and out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

But you do feel they really need a win to pile the pressure on Everton ahead of the Merseyside derby later today.

Elsewhere, a Mohammed Salisu own goal gave Brighton a two-goal lead before Saints pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.

Half-time: Well, that’s 45 minutes I’ll never get back. Eyebrows were raised when this match was chosen over Burnley’s huge clash with Wolves and there will be even more angry Clarets supporters now after this showing.

A sedated display from Chelsea against a much-changed West Ham team who have defended well but also offered little in the final third.

Very little to talk about. Here’s hoping it improves in the second period.

45+1 mins: Havertz fairly pushed off the ball by Masuaku. Alonso then tries to hook one over the West Ham defense but there isn’t even a Chelsea player in the same postcode.

44 mins: Kante floats yet another cross towards the back post but Fabianski can easily claim above Havertz.

West Ham then work their way into the Chelsea half and Silva is guilty of another sloppy foul as he shoves Yarmolenko over on the left touchline.

Cresswell sends the free-kick into the penalty area which Havertz heads clear before the ball ends up in Mendy’s hands.

42 mins: Havertz tries to beat Soucek down the right-hand side but he slips and let’s the ball roll out of play for a West Ham goal kick.

Tuchel does not look very happy with his team’s performance. This has been another sluggish display from the European champions so far.

40 mins: Kante looking lively as he recovers possession yet again on the edge of the West Ham area. He lays it off to Mount and he finds Loftus-Cheek in a wide area. The Englishman sends a low cross past a host of bodies before Fabianski gathers.

Fornals is then needlessly fouled by Silva and West Ham can regroup once more.

38 mins: Coufal delivers the free-kick but fails to beat the first man. Been that kind of attacking display from both sides so far.

Benrahma delivers another ball into the box but Soucek fouls Chalobah while trying to rise and meet the cross.

Chelsea break as Kante nicks the ball on the edge of the West Ham box but can’t pick out the right pass and Johnson can clear.