Nicolas Jackson scored twice and Cole Palmer struck his second goal of the season as Chelsea capitalised on a porous defensive display to thrash West Ham and move third in the Premier League before the afternoon matches on Saturday.
On his 50th Chelsea appearance, Jackson collected Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho’s pass as part of a quickly-taken free-kick inside the visitors’ half before entering the penalty area from the left and beating Alphonse Areola with a low shot into the far corner of the net from a tight angle.
The susceptibility of West Ham’s backline was in evidence again when Jackson surged onto Moises Caicedo’s threaded pass and prodded in with the outside of a boot to double Chelsea’s advantage 14 minutes later.
Nico Jackson is off to a flyer ✈️
The Chelsea striker doubles his side’s lead with another brilliant finish 🔥
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Palmer goal vs West Ham
Palmer fired in from Jackson’s pass as his side became the first in the Premier League to reach double figures for goals aside from leaders Manchester City.
The England forward’s 39 goal contributions since his Premier League debut for Chelsea in September 2023 are the most of any player for a top-flight team during that period, with City’s Erling Haaland on 38 and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins producing 33.
West Ham are yet to avoid defeat at home in the top flight under new manager Julen Lopetegui, having previously lost 2-1 to Aston Villa and 3-1 to Manchester City.
Areola produced a superb save from Christopher Nkunku as West Ham lost their first three league home games of the season for the first time in their history.
Nico Jackson gets Chelsea off to a brilliant start at the London Stadium 🤩
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
West Ham vs Chelsea VAR
Lopetegui remonstrated with officials after Crysencio Summerville was adjudged not have had his arm held long enough to warrant a penalty during a challenge by Wesley Fofana.
Their afternoon could have worsened had Areola not also kept out Joao Felix’s fierce strike, although Lopetegui was enraged by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision with his side 2-0 down.
Should West Ham have received something here for this challenge…? 🤔
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
“It’s a really poor performance all over the park from West Ham,” former Hammers and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole told TNT Sports.
“I thought there’d be some short-term pain for long-term gain. There’s going to be a painful transition period, I believe. The players have to stick together.
Goalscorer turns assist maker 🙌
An incredible start to the second half as Nico Jackson sets up Cole Palmer to fire home Chelsea’s third 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/29vOB6WV4w
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
“You have to give the manager time to implement his beliefs and how he wants to play. That’s a must. They can’t turn back on it. It was a fantastic performance from Chelsea but West Ham will be kicking themselves.”
Chelsea fixtures
Chelsea host fourth-tier side Barrow in the FA Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm BST), a day before West Ham visit Liverpool in the competition (8pm).
Both teams are in action at 3pm on September 28, when West Ham travel to Brentford and Chelsea are at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
