Evening all! It's the first Monday night football of the season and what a potential cracker we have in store! Chelsea host London rivals West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte will make his Premier League debut as manager and he faces an equally passionate Slaven Bilic in the opposing dugout.

Ambitions are high in both camps as Chelsea want to forget last season's 10th-place finish with a return to the top four and potentially the league title, while the Hammers will try to improve on seventh by challenging the European spots. There is added pressure on West Ham this season as it is their first in the Olympic Stadium and fans will want results that the historic ground demands!

Sky Sports will be broadcasting the match tonight and there is a familiar face in the studio. Gary Neville has returned to his punditry duties following a three-month spell at Valencia, which was his first attempt as manager. I think it's fair to say that it didn't go to plan, but he's back on comfortable ground as he joins Jamie Carragher and presenter David Jones for the match.

Anyway, back to the game at hand! Let's bring you the starting lineups for both Chelsea and West Ham...

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Kante; Willian, Matic, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Subs: Begovic, Aina, Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Pedro, Batshuayi

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Collins, Masuaku; Nordtveit; Ayew, Noble, Kouyate, Valencia; Carroll
Subs: Randolph, Byram, Ogbonna, Oxford, Obiang, Tore, Payet

The big news for Chelsea is that N'Golo Kante makes his official debut, while Cesc Fabregas has been left out of the lineup altogether! The Spaniard will have to settle for a spot on the bench, while Willian, Nemanja Matic, Oscar and Eden Hazard are handed spots in midfield. As expected, Thibaut Courtois takes his place in goal, with Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta in defence. Diego Costa leads the line up front. The Spaniard has been preferred to Michy Batshuayi, who is named among the substitutes.

As for West Ham, summer signings Andre Ayew and Arthur Masuaku have been handed starts. Adrian will take his place in goal, with Michail Antonio, Winston Reid, James Collins and Masuaku lining the defence. Harvard Nordtveit will hold the midfield, while Mark Noble, Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate and Antonio Valencia start behind lone striker Andy Carroll. Dimitri Payet starts on the bench, but is expected to play a role at some point in the game following his Euro 2016 exploits.

Everybody knows how Chelsea's season unfolded in the 2015-16 campaign. The first half was pretty much disastrous and there were even fears that they could suffer relegation. The poor results ended in Jose Mourinho's sacking as manager in December, but Guus Hiddink stepped in as interim boss and helped push the club up the table to 10th.

Conte is now the man in charge and while he has zero experience coaching English clubs and does not yet have the best grasp of the English language, he is expected to lead a top-four challenge, particularly as the Blues will not play any European football this season.

The 47-year-old took on the job following a two-year spell in charge of his national team Italy. He failed to clinch any silverware with the Azzurri, but he has had success at club level. Conte earned promotion to the top flight with Bari and Siena, and during his three years as Juventus boss, won three Serie A titles back to back, as well as two Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

Conte has not been hugely busy in the summer transfer window, but he has made two decent signings so far. Michy Batshuayi has arrived to challenge Diego Costa up front following a £33.2m move from Marseille, while N'Golo Kante left Premier League champions Leicester City to join the West London outfit. The midfielder was pivotal in the Foxes' shock title win last season, playing all but one of the team's league games.

The signing of Kante could prove to be vital to Chelsea's success. Well, former Leicester player Gary Lineker seems to think so. When the transfer was announced in July, Lineker backed Chelsea to win the title.

Let's not forget that the transfer window does not close until the end of the month, so there could be some more arrivals at the Bridge. In fact, the Daily Express recently reported that Conte wants to splurge £140m on Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Santos midfielder Thiago Maia.

The rumoured pursuit of Lukaku is an interesting one. Chelsea sold the striker to Everton in 2013 for £27m after failing to secure a regular spot in the first team under then-manager Jose Mourinho. It is believed that Lukaku wants to return to Stamford Bridge, but the Toffees have slapped a £50m price tag on the forward. We have a few weeks left to see whether or not Chelsea will get their man!

So, how are Chelsea shaping up for tonight's game? They had quite a busy pre-season schedule, playing six games, the majority of which were against high calibre opposition. Conte's first match in charge was against Rapid Vienna, but it was a disappointing result as the team suffered a 2-0 defeat. A comfortable 3-0 win over RZ Pellets followed and they overcame Premier League opposition Liverpool 1-0 in the United States.

The Blues faced a tough task against Real Madrid and it was a five-goal thriller, with the Spanish side coming out on top 3-2, but they ended their pre-season schedule on a high with a 3-1 triumph over AC Milan and a 4-2 win over Werder Bremen.

Ahead of this game, Conte told reporters that he wants his players to match the spirit of champions Leicester. He said: "When you watch Leicester's games you understand this great feeling between the players.

"Every player is ready to help his team-mate because he knows in another situation his team-mate will help him. It's important to have this if you want to win. It's important to have talented, fantastic players, but it's important as well to create the right spirit."

Chelsea will be favourites heading into this game as they are at home, but they are in danger of recording six home games without a win for the first time since a 12-match run in the 1994-95 season. On the flip side, they have picked up more points than any other Premier League team on the opening weekend of a season (51).

DID YOU KNOW? Conte has not suffered a league defeat at home as a club manager in 28 successive matches since January 2013. In that time he has won 26 and drawn two.

Right, let's turn our attention to West Ham, shall we? A lot of talk throughout the summer has been about the future of Dimitri Payet. The playmaker impressed for France at Euro 2016, which sparked rumours that he could be lured away from the Hammers. However, it seems as though Slaven Bilic has convinced the midfielder to remain with the club for the season.

Poyet's stay is a huge boost for the Hammers, and they have also been busy in the transfer market. Harvard Nordtveit, Ashley Fletcher and Sofiane Feghouli are among the new arrivals and featured in pre-season. Andre Ayew became a club-record signing for West Ham when he joined from Swansea City for £20m. He could prove to be an important signing as he has already played with star man Payet when the two were at Marseille.

A major development for West Ham happened earlier this summer when the club moved into their new home - the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Many questioned whether they would be able to fill it, but they have sold out tickets for the season. With that comes extra pressure, though, as the team will be required to produce results that a stadium of that size deserves. In the last couple of seasons, West Ham have pushed up the table towards the European spots and they will have Europa League football this time around, but it remains to be seen whether they can sustain that.

The Hammers had a busy pre-season schedule and it was a poor start as they were beaten 3-0 by Seattle Sounders in a friendly and then recorded 2-2 draws with Carolina RailHawks and FC Slovacko. In between defeats to Rubin Kazan and Juventus, West Ham played a Europa League qualifier against NK Domzale. The first leg ended in a 2-1 defeat, but they managed to seal a 3-0 win in the return leg at the Olympic Stadium.

STATS! The Hammers did well in London derbies last season, accumulating 15 points in total, which was more than any other club. Chelsea picked up 12 points in their clashes against local sides. West Ham fans may have moments of celebration tonight as they have scored at least one goal in their last 13 league matches.

Ahead of the game, Bilic told reporters: "We are excited about the first game. We have had a good pre-season and have a good squad. We are expecting the new signings to improve us. We expect a tough game against Chelsea on Monday.

"Antonio Conte is a great manager and wants to change the way they approach the game and the principles. I rate him very highly. I am sure he will do a good job there. But we beat the big teams away last season and it was a good experience for us."

HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea have a good record against the Hammers having gone unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League meetings at home. They won seven of those and drew three. West Ham's last win at Stamford Bridge was a 3-2 triumph in September 2002.

Right, both players are out on the pitch and we are nearing kickoff!

KICKOFF! Chelsea get us underway at the Bridge to a huge roar from the crowd!

Costa tries to break through West Ham's defence as he aims for the corner of the box, but he's brought down by Collins and Chelsea get a free kick. Willian looks as though he's going to deliver this one into the box...

...Willian does just that, but Carroll jumps high and cuts it out.

BOOKING! A very early yellow card for new boy Kante. The midfielder is cautioned for bringing down Carroll from behind while the striker led a counter-attack.

West Ham now have a chance to cause problems with a free kick in a dangerous area. Cahill concedes the set piece after jumping on Carroll's back. He can't have too many complaints there.

Valencia sends the ball into the area and it gets deflected before getting punched clear by Courtois. It wasn't a clean punch, but the Blues are awarded a free kick for a foul on the keeper.

Some positive play by West Ham as they try to weave their way through the Chelsea back line. The ball eventually falls to Noble, who tries a shot from the edge of the box, but he scuffs it and the ball bobbles to Courtois.

At the other end, Costa drives towards the danger area, but he overhits the ball slightly and it gets nicked off him. West Ham look the livelier of the two sides, but Costa has shown glimpses of a threat in these early stages.

Chelsea put West Ham under some pressure as they work the ball around the box. It's dragged out wide to Azpilicueta, who crosses high into the area, but it's headed away.

SAVE! A decent spell from Chelsea ends in Ivanovic darting into he box before pulling away from Masuaku and drilling a low shot towards the near post, but Adrian manages to make a stop.

Hazard, who found form towards the end of last season, goes for glory from the edge of the area with a half volley, but the ball lifts high over the crossbar.

Willian has the ball close to the right byline. He cuts it back to Ivanovic, who has space, but instead of going for goal, aims low for Costa in the centre of the box, but Antonio reads it and cuts it out. Chelsea are starting to get on top now.

Ayew shows some pace as he looks to play in Antonio with a reverse pass on the right wing, but he overhits it slightly and the ball bobbles out of touch.

PENALTY DENIED! Chelsea and all of their fans yell for a penalty after Oscar goes down in the area, but referee says no! Oscar managed to dispossess Noble just a few yards from the edge of the box. As he darts into the area, Reid puts his arms out and makes contact with the Brazilian as he goes down. Oscar hit the floor rather theatrically, but contact was made.

BOOKING! Costa makes his feelings known to the referee and as a result gets a yellow card.

BOOKING! Costa is involved again, but this time he's the one fouled. Collins receives a caution for bringing down the Chelsea striker.

Chelsea are in complete control at the moment as they have had 80% possession in the last 10 minutes, but it remains goalless for the time being. Neither goalkeeper has really been tested as yet.

Hazard plays a one-two with Costa, but the latter's return flick bobbles and fails to reach the Belgian. West Ham get the ball but not for long as Chelsea attack again.

Oscar plays a diagonal pass to Hazard, who darts around the edge of the area, but is eventually muscled off the ball. Kante latches on and manages to force a throw-in for his side.

Hazard is involved again as he delivers a cross across the face of goal. It has plenty of pace on it, but none of his teammates are there to get on the end of it.

Willian's flick plays in Ivanovic, who storms to the right byline before delivering a cross into the box, but the ball is easily caught by Adrian.

CHANCE! A great run from Hazard as he charges away from his marker before unleashing a shot from the corner of the box. It's low as he tries to curl the ball past the keeper, but it just drifts past the post.

Oh dear, it looks like bad news for West Ham as new signing Ayew goes to ground. It looked like he pulled up while trying to match Hazard's run earlier. A forgettable debut for the club-record signing as he prepares to come off.

WEST HAM SUB: Here's the change - Ayew limps off with a grimace on his face and is replaced by Tore.

CHANCE! Hazard creates a goalscoring chance for Costa by sending a short pass to the striker on the edge of the area. The Spain international cuts inside and goes for glory, but his effort glides over the bar.

Chelsea snatch possession back from West Ham and go on the counter-attack, but the move breaks down with Oscar, whose pass out wide towards Willian goes behind the Brazilian and the ball bobbles out for a West Ham throw.

Hazard has looked much better in these 45 minutes than he did for the majority of last season. He's involved in almost all of Chelsea's attacking moves and interestingly, it looks as though Ivanovic has been ordered to get forward as much as possible.

Carroll gives away a cheap corner and its delivered short to Oscar from Willian. West Ham nervously try to clear as the ball bobbles around the box, but they concede a free kick on the right side of the area.

Willian takes it and it's initially cleared by the Hammers, but not very convincingly. Chelsea come again, but the visitors eventually snuff out the danger.

Another free kick for Chelsea as Reid brings down Costa 25 yards from goal. Can the Blues nab the lead in the dying seconds of the first half...?

SAVE! It's close from Willian as he lifts the ball over the wall, but Adriab gets fingertips on it to nudge it over the bar.

It's goalless at the break, but Antonio Conte will probably be the happier manager of the two as his side have controlled the majority of play. Slaven Bilic's side were lucky not to concede a penalty when Winston Reid brought down Oscar in the box, but they were dealt a blow when club-record signing Andre Ayew limped off the field with an injury. At the moment, Chelsea and West Ham will share the points, but let's see what happens in the second half. We'll return for the rest of the action shortly!

RESTART! West Ham get the second half underway! Will there be a goal or are we destined for a stalemate? Let's find out! There have not been any changes at the break.

CHELSEA PENALTY! The Blues missed out on a penalty in the first half, but they get this one! Antonio concedes it by fouling Azpilicueta.

Perfect start to the second half for Chelsea as Hazard converts from the penalty spot! His strike goes straight down the middle and into the roof of the net.

Prior to the penalty being awarded, Adrian made a save from Costa, who hit a shot from close range. Chelsea have certainly jumped out the blocks!

Chelsea go on the attack again by capitalising on Nordtveit's poor pass. Willian charges down the right flank before sending the ball to Costa in the middle. The striker takes a touch, but then has the ball taken from him.

WEST HAM SUB: Antonio, who is on a yellow card after giving away the penalty, makes way for Byram.

West Ham have plenty of work to do here. They may only be trailing by a single goal, but they do not look close to getting back into this game at the moment. Lots of frustration out there, particularly for Carroll, who is isolated up front.

The Blues knock the ball around the danger area and Oscar forces a corner. Willian takes the set piece, but it's cleared by West Ham and hoofed down field.

Oscar shows some strength by tackling Noble and then sliding in to stop Collins from clearing the ball. Good work from the Brazilian.

Costa storms towards West Ham's defenders before attempting a through ball for Willian, but Masuaku cuts out the pass.

SAVE! Great play from Chelsea as Willian darts into the box before drilling a low shot towards the far post, but Adrian gets a hand on it to direct its path away from the net.

CHANCE! The resulting corner from Willian finds Terry, who leaps above his markers, but heads the ball just over the bar.

WEST HAM SUB: Another change for the Hammers as Nordtveit is replaced with Payet.

Oh dear, almost a blunder from Adrian! The keeper messes up his clearance as tries to move the ball with his feet. Costa comes in to nick it off him, but it's late and he catches the keeper. The Hammers want another yellow card for the striker, but the referee lets him off.

West Ham get some joy with a free kick on the left side of the final third. Payet delivers it into the box, but Ivanovic gets there first to head clear.

Now Chelsea have a free kick just outside the area after Oscar was brought down by Noble. Oscar takes it, but he drives the ball straight into the West Ham wall.

Chelsea are convinced that they should have had another penalty after Oscar's free kick struck the arm of Byram.

West Ham get a free kick on the edge of the penalty area following a high leg from Azplicueta on Carroll. The Spaniard gets booked and the Hammers have an opportunity here...

Payet takes it, but his attempt goes into the wall and deflects behind for a corner...

Wow, West Ham are back in this game! They've barely had the ball but they convert from their first shot on target! They claim for a handball off the corner, but the move is still alive. It drops to Collins, who smashes it home from just inside the box.

CHELSEA SUB: Conte makes a change as Willian makes way for Pedro.

Will we see a late winner? Chelsea have been taken aback by that equaliser and are losing some their composure.

CHELSEA SUBS: Two changes for Chelsea as Batshuayi makes his debut and Moses comes on. Oscar and Hazard are the ones to be hauled off.

CHANCE! Moses delivers the ball into the box and finds Pedro, who goes for goal on the volley, but it goes across the face of goal and wide.

Costa has surely nabbed the winner for Chelsea! The striker drills a low shot into the far corner. Conte goes wild on the touchline!

It's end to end here but it looks as though Chelsea will see out the victory!

So there we have it! Chelsea beat West Ham 2-1 on home turf following a dramatic end to the match. Eden Hazard scored from the penalty spot, but James Collins put West Ham back in the game with an equaliser. The Blues dominated the majority of the match and they were rewarded when Diego Costa scored in the 89th minute. Antonio Conte begins his career as Chelsea manager with a win! Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!