Chelsea enhanced their prospects of qualifying for European football next season by easily defeating West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
It only took 15 minutes for Chelsea to take the lead, with Cole Palmer being the quickest to react to a loose ball in the West Ham penalty area.
West Ham came close to equalizing immediately when Jarrod Bowen’s header hit the crossbar, but Chelsea dominated the game from that point onwards.
Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s lead after half an hour, followed by Noni Madueke scoring the third goal just six minutes later.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice in the second half, sealing a very positive afternoon for Chelsea.
With only three games left in the season, Chelsea seems to be on track for a strong finish, having climbed to seventh place and being just two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle. Meanwhile, West Ham, with two games left, remain in ninth place.
Chelsea’s first season under Mauricio Pochettino was challenging, but they have now found their rhythm and are showing promising signs for European football next season. Their recent home form has been impressive, winning nine out of their last 11 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.
Victories against Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, and West Ham have contributed to their current four-game winning streak. The team appears to be playing with increased confidence, which is a positive sign for the future.
/Nicolas_Jackson_second_for_Chelsea_vs_West_Ham.jpg "Crushing West Ham, Chelsea continues to raise hopes of getting a ticket to the European Cup 4")
Palmer’s well-executed finish into the bottom right corner added to his impressive tally of 21 league goals. Captain Gallagher’s emphatic volley across the target showcased the team’s quality.
By the 36th minute, the game was effectively over as Madueke found space in the six-yard box to convert Thiago Silva’s knockdown. Jackson further solidified Chelsea’s dominance by calmly rolling in the fifth goal after beating the offside trap.
While Chelsea’s defense wasn’t heavily tested, Pochettino will be pleased to see his side achieve back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time since February 2023.