Chelsea made it two London derby wins in the space of a few days as they hammered West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson netting a brace. After easing past Tottenham on Thursday night, the Blues enjoyed an even more comfortable afternoon in west London this time, with victory effectively wrapped up inside the opening 45 minutes.
Cole Palmer opened the scoring with his 21st Premier League goal of the season, before captain Conor Gallagher doubled the lead with a sharp volley into the bottom corner. The lead was three before half-time, as Thiago Silva, back from injury, nodded the ball back across goal from a corner, and Noni Madueke was on hand to turn it home. Chelsea picked up from where they left off after the break, as Madueke squared the ball to leave Jackson a tap-in within three minutes of the restart.
The rest of the match was largely played at walking pace, with Jarrod Bowen West Ham’s only hope of a consolation goal. He hit the bar twice in the first-half and made it a hat-trick in front of the away fans that were left, when his deflected strike looped up against the woodwork. Jackson added his second, and Chelsea’s fifth, with ten minutes remaining, having initially been denied by an offside flag. He was played through by Moises Caicedo and beat Alphonse Areola with a finish that eventually stood as a goal, after VAR found Kurt Zouma had been playing him on.
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Chelsea are now playing their best football of the season, and the question is whether this will strengthen Mauricio Pochettino’s position as manager.
After the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal, the Argentine faced renewed conversations about his long-term suitability for the role at Stamford Bridge.
But since then, a 5-0 win at home to West Ham represents redemption after a dominant 2-0 victory against Tottenham on Thursday night.
Goals from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and two from Nicolas Jackson have boosted Pochettino’s authority and Chelsea’s hopes of European qualification.
Chelsea ratings
Moises Caicedo – 8
One half of Chelsea’s current preferred double pivot, and working neatly in tandem with skipper Conor Gallagher. The Ecuador star’s calmness on the ball and positional sense has proved a feature of Chelsea’s two derby wins this week.
Conor Gallagher – 8
The other half of that deep-lying axis with Caicedo, that has added both steel and fluency to Chelsea’s approach. Maybe Pochettino finally has a framework from which to build in west London. Blasted a captain’s goal too with a well-weighted volley.
Cole Palmer - 9
Becoming just the third 21-year-old to pass 30 goal involvements in a Premier League season speaks volumes on his immediate talismanic status. Set this rout rolling with another fine finish in an exceptional campaign and was excellent throughout.
FT: Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
That will do it at Stamford Bridge.
Another derby win for Chelsea, who swat West Ham aside to move up to seventh in the table.
The Blues are finally clicking into gear!
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
90+3 mins: Both sides want this match done now.
Chelsea haven’t been particularly ruthless this half - could probably have had seven or eight - but Pochettino won’t be too bothered.
A superb performance from his side.
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
90 mins: Five minutes added on.
West Ham can be grateful, should probably be seven or eight with the stoppages we’ve had.
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
89 mins: One final Chelsea change.
Palmer is off, having strolled around for the last hour or so. Only surprise is that he’s only scored once.
Gilchrist on for the final few minutes.
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
85 mins: Kudus onto his left foot, drills a low effort towards the bottom corner. Petrovic turns it behind.
Good to keep him awake.
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
82 mins: Disasi makes his return from injury, as Silva gets a huge ovation.
Gusto on too, replacing Diasi.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 West Ham | Nicolas Jackson 81'
GIVEN!
Jackson played on by Zouma and he has his second.
GOOO... OFFSIDE!
Jackson thinks he has made it 5-0, but the flag is up.
Caicedo played the pass through, with Jackson finishing well. Very tight.