On a crisp afternoon at the London Stadium, Chelsea showcased their growing confidence under the guidance of Enzo Maresca in the Premier League. West Ham, eager to bounce back from a poor run of form, found themselves outpaced and outclassed by a relentless Chelsea side.
At the heart of this commanding performance was Nicolas Jackson, the Senegalese forward who delivered a masterclass in finishing and creativity.
Early Spark: Jackson Strikes Twice
It took just four minutes for Chelsea to stamp their authority on the match. A quick-thinking free-kick caught West Ham's defence napping, and Nicolas Jackson was more than ready to pounce.
Released down the left by Sancho, Jackson left Edson Alvarez chasing shadows as he cut inside and calmly slotted the ball through Alphonse Areola’s legs, giving Chelsea an early lead.
But Jackson was far from done. Just 14 minutes later, he was at it again. This time, Moises Caicedo, given far too much time on the ball, threaded a perfect low pass to Jackson. The striker's lightning pace saw him leave Max Kilman in the dust before he applied a delicate finish with the outside of his boot, leaving Areola stranded. The Hammers were stunned, and Jackson had his brace.
The Finishing Blow: Jackson Turns Provider
If West Ham had hopes of a second-half comeback, Jackson quickly dashed them. Just two minutes after the break, Chelsea launched a swift counterattack, with Jackson once again at the centre of the action.
This time, he turned provider, outsmarting the retreating West Ham defence with a clever reverse pass that found Cole Palmer. Palmer did the rest, firing past Areola and off the goal post to effectively seal the win.
West Ham's Frustration: Missed Opportunities and VAR Drama
West Ham had their moments, but it was one of those days where nothing seemed to go their way. Their strongest penalty appeal came when Crysencio Summerville went to ground after a tussle with Wesley Fofana, but VAR was unmoved.
Mohammed Kudus thought he had pulled one back before halftime, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. Aaron Bowen also came close, forcing a good save from Robert Sanchez, but it was too little, too late.
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