Jackson hits a brace as shell-shocked Hammers lose 3-0 at home to rivals Chelsea
By Paul Lagan at The London Stadium
West Ham 0 v Chelsea 3
Nicolas Jackson hit a first half brace that stunned shell-shocked West Ham as the Hammers succumbed to a humbling 3-0 defeat, at home to their west London rivals.
Cole Palmer hit the third early in the second half to end the match as a contest.
Chelsea demonstrated high-quality clinical finishing, both Jackson efforts saw the strike remain cool and collected as he slotted the ball past Alphonse Areola.
The goal scorer then became goal-maker for Cole.
West Ham were lethargic for much of the game – Crysencio Summerville on the left flank and Mohammed Kudus on the right, the only real bright sparks in an otherwise dull 90 minutes for the Hammers, where the home side faithful booed their performance at the final whistle.
Chelsea shoot up to second in the Premier League but they will, drift down as the day progresses and other teams start their 3pm kick-offs.
But the table certainly looks good for now for the boys from SW6.
Chelsea started well, keeping possession without making much headroom going forward.
That was until four minutes in and with their first attack following a quickly taken free kick, Jackson picked up the ball, on the left and thought he would go for a run. No other Chelsea player was anywhere close, so he had no one to pass to. The West Ham defenders opted not to seriously bother chasing back and Jackson just kept on going. He then slotted the ball past Alphonse Areola and bis near post to surprisingly put the visitors ahead.
West Ham responded well and a wonderful right win cross by Kudus curled into the six yard box, but Summerville, who had beaten the offside trap, failed to get head to the ball and it zipped wide for a goal kick.
The Blues were inches away from making it number two when Cole Palmer screwed an edge of the area left-footer just wide of Areola's left post on 11 minutes.
Chelsea's goal of the season so far was scored on 18 minutes when after what seemed like an eternity of passing movement, Jackson was put through once more and he raced clear and again showed consummate composure before drifting the ball past Areola.
West Ham thought they had a clear penalty on 29 minutes when Summerville hit the deck, but referee Sam Barrott said no.
VAR decided to have a look and it appeared clear Summerville's shirt was pulled by Wesley Fofana
But they decided against overturning the referee's call.
Kudus thought he had pulled a goal back on 32 minutes. But the linesman ruled offside, VAR had a look and agreed.
West Ham made their first substitution, Guido Rodriguez was replaced by Tomas Soucek on 38 minutes.
Soucek's first touch, was a daisy-cutter, that, while on target, was straight at Robert Sanchez.
There were no changes by either side at half time, and that continued in terms of Chelsea's clinical finishing.
The visitors scored with the first attack of the half – Jackson, once again racing clear. This time Cole Palmer sprinted behind him, overtaking him on the left. Staying onside, Palmer received the perfect ball and took a couple of touches before smashing the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0.
On came Carlos Soler for Edson Alvarez. There were boos from the West Ham fans when Summerville was also replaced – this time by Michail Antonio – both on 54 minutes
Chelsea decided to take off Fofana and Jadon Sancho – on came Pedro Neto and Axel Disasi.
They were soon followed by Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku - off went Jackson and Palmer on 64 minutes.
Marc Cucurella was rightly yellow-carded for a late challenge on Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
A final round of substitutions saw West Ham bring on Andy Irving and Aaron Cresswell for Emerson and Lucas Paqueta, on 73 minutes.
Antonio had a back-heeler saved by Sanchez as the home side went in search of a consolation effort and the hope of a grandstand finish.
In fact it was Chelsea who should have scored a fourth on 76 minutes – a close-range header by Nkunku was cleared by Areola who managed to hook the ball off the goal line.
Chelsea brought on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for the final eight minutes, he replaced Enzo.
And that was that.
Teams: West Ham, Areola, Summerville, Paqueta, Kudus, Mavropanos, Alvarez, Bowen, Rodriguez, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka, Emerson
Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Soler, Coufal, Antonio, Ings, Todibo, Soucek, Irving
Chelsea: Sanchez, Cucurella, Tosin, Colwill, Enzo, Noni, Jackson, Sancho, Palmer, Caicedo, Fofana
Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Badiashile, Neto, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga
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