Nicolas Jackson was the star of the show in east London as the striker netted twice and provided an assist during Chelsea’s demolition job against West Ham.
The Senegal international only needed four minutes to open his account for the afternoon, when he burst in behind the West Ham defence and finished confidently through the legs of Alphonse Areola.
One quickly became two, this time Moises Caicedo slipping Jackson in behind a West Ham backline that was looking vulnerable with each passing attack.
The Hammers might’ve been handed a route back into the game when Crysencio Summerville appeared to be dragged down by Wesley Fofana in the penalty area, but despite a lengthy VAR check, the on-field decision stayed the same.
It gave Chelsea a second-half platform to pile the misery on their London rivals, with Cole Palmer continuing his stellar start to the campaign with yet another goal.
Express Sport details everything we learned from Chelsea’s thumping win at the London Stadium…
Nicolas Jackson shines as Chelsea owners watch on
With Chelsea chiefs Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali watching on from the stands, Jackson’s timely performance might’ve just persuaded the big-spending owners to keep their wallet in their trousers when the January transfer window opens.
On the back of his MOTM showing against West Ham, Jackson now has four goals and two assists to his name for the 2024/25 season, as he continues to repay the trust manager Enzo Marescsa has placed in him.
Causing an albeit shaky West Ham defence problems all afternoon, Jackson’s tormenting presence at the tip of attack not only suits his own style of play, but also gets the most out of Chelsea’s technical wingers too.
Todd Bohely theory vindicated by Jadon Sancho performance
Speaking of which, Sancho looks as if he’s already proved Bohely and co. right to make a move for him late on in the summer window with yet another assist for the Blues.
Having provided the pass for Christopher Nkunku’s winner against Bournemouth last time out, Sancho was once again a hub of creativity for Chelsea this weekend, as he continues to play himself back into form following a dismal spell with Manchester United.
Granted, the majority of the work for the assist was done by goalscorer Jackson, but it’s still a positive sign from Sancho, who, if he keeps this form up, could be in contention to make it into Lee Carsley’s England side for the October internationals.
£115m ace starting to settle in Chelsea midfield
As the most expensive transfer in Premier League history, Chelsea fans might’ve expected a little more from Moises Caicedo after he joined the club from Brighton as part of a £115m deal.
It’s been a struggle for Caicedo at times, but the Ecuadorian looked every bit worth the transfer fee Chelsea paid for him in the heart of their midfield against West Ham.
Sweeping up West Ham attacks, dictating play with his passing and even popping up with an assist, Caicedo was among the MOTM contenders at the London Stadium.
Glimpse to VAR future with West Ham non-penalty
It could’ve been so much different had the hosts been given a penalty for Fofana’s tug on Summerville at 2-0 down.
That’s what the despondent West Ham fans will be muttering to themselves as they make their way home. But, perhaps they have a point.
In most other seasons the clear pull on Summerville’s arm would’ve been punished by the video assistant, but as the PGMOL chiefs look to improve VAR’s usage in the Premier League, a higher bar for intervention has been implemented.
Grass not necessarily greener for dismal West Ham
A third successive home defeat to begin the season – the first time that’s ever happened for West Ham – wasn’t how the Hammers faithful envisaged the campaign starting.
From minute one they were never in the contest, with West Ham allowing Chelsea time and space to play the game at their own speed. Death by 1,000 passes.
Julen Lopetegui will need time and patience to work his magic, but following a dismal start to the season, some West Ham fans might begin wondering whether the grass is actually greener after getting rid of David Moyes in the summer.
