Nicolas Jackson registered three goal contributions to fire Chelsea to a dominant 3-0 win over West Ham United, piling the pressure on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui.
Jackson took advantage of West Ham's sluggish start to give Enzo Maresca's side a fourth-minute lead at the London Stadium.
Just 14 minutes later, the Chelsea forward was celebrating his and the visitors' second, picking out the bottom corner with the outside of his right boot to net Chelsea's earliest Premier League brace since Didier Drogba scored two in the opening 17 minutes against Middlesbrough in January 2005.
The Hammers attempted to work their way back into the contest before the break as Crysencio Summerville saw a penalty appeal waved off before Mohammed Kudus had a left-footed strike chalked off for offside.
West Ham's hopes of mounting a comeback were extinguished by Cole Palmer, who scored his second goal of the season after being set up by Jackson.
The visitors ultimately coasted through the remainder of the contest to claim a second straight victory without conceding.
Chelsea move onto 10 points and up to second spot for the time being, while the Hammers are down in 14th spot after losing their first three home league games of the season for the very first time.
WEST HAM VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Jackson goal vs. West Ham (4th min, West Ham 0-1 Chelsea)
Nico Jackson gets Chelsea off to a brilliant start at the London Stadium 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QqHJZ6koXt
West Ham switch off and Chelsea take full advantage to grab an early goal. The Blues take a free kick inside their own half before Jackson and Sancho link up to send the former racing down the left flank. The strike drives into the box and slots the ball through the legs of Alphonse Areola at the near post.
Jackson goal vs. West Ham (18th min, West Ham 0-2 Chelsea)
Nico Jackson gets Chelsea off to a brilliant start at the London Stadium 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QqHJZ6koXt
Jackson grabs another to put Chelsea in complete control. Moises Caicedo spots a sizeable gap between the two West Ham centre-backs and picks out the pass to send Jackson through on goal. The Senegal international races into the box before using the outside of his right foot to find the bottom corner.
Palmer goal vs. West Ham (47th min, West Ham 0-3 Chelsea)
Goalscorer turns assist maker 🙌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
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
West Ham's hopes of salvaging a positive result are effectively quashed within two minutes of the restart. Jackson waits until the opportunity moment to feed Palmer, who drills the ball home off the inside of the near post.
MAN OF THE MATCH - NICOLAS JACKSON
© Imago
Jackson was the standout performer at the London Stadium, showcasing his goalscoring instincts with two neat finishes to put Chelsea in complete control.
Impressively, those goals came from Jackson's only two shots on target, demonstrating his efficiency in front of goal.
The former Villarreal striker then played a key role in the third goal, waiting for the right moment to play the pass for Palmer to get on the scoresheet.
WEST HAM VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: West Ham 52%-48% Chelsea
Shots: West Ham 15-12 Chelsea
Shots on target: West Ham 7-5 Chelsea
Corners: West Ham 6-5 Chelsea
Fouls: West Ham 17-10 Chelsea
BEST STATS
Jadon Sancho created more chances than any other player on the pitch in the first half against West Ham 🪄 pic.twitter.com/MFLaiUWLJo
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 21, 2024
2 - Nicolas Jackson's brace after 18 minutes is the quickest by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Didier Drogba v Middlesbrough in January 2005 (17 minutes). Finisher. pic.twitter.com/a5eJcr4Len
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
11 - Cole Palmer has been directly involved in 11 goals in 11 away games in the Premier League in 2024 (three goals, eight assists); only Kevin De Bruyne (12) has been involved in more this year. Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/WA29faxQDd
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
3 & 5 - Enzo Maresca is the first manager to win each of his first three away Premier League games since Pep Guardiola in September 2016, while Chelsea have won five consecutive away top-flight matches for the first time since December 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. Travels. pic.twitter.com/RsNZnwsPJW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
After dispatching West Ham with minimum fuss, Chelsea will now turn their focus to Tuesday's EFL Cup clash against League Two Barrow.
As for the Hammers, they will have to improve an improved display if they are to trouble Liverpool in Wednesday's EFL Cup tie.
No Data Analysis info
