LATEST NEWS: “Hard to evade!” Mohammed Kudus praises exceptional Chelsea player as the most challenging to escape following West Ham United loss.
Mohammed Kudus praises Chelsea star after West Ham’s 3-0 defeat
Mohammed Kudus has openly commended one of Chelsea’s top performers following their commanding 3-0 win over West Ham United. Chelsea showcased their attacking flair throughout the match, with Nicolas Jackson standing out as a pivotal player. Jackson wasted no time in making an impact, scoring the opening goal early in the game. West Ham’s defense, harshly criticized by pundit Michael Dawson on *Soccer Saturday* as “criminal,” allowed Jackson to break through with little resistance. After a swift passing exchange with Jadon Sancho, Jackson burst forward and, from a difficult angle, outmaneuvered West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to give Chelsea the lead.
West Ham’s defensive struggles continued soon after, as their backline failed to track Jackson’s movements. Julen Lopetegui’s team momentarily lost focus, leaving Moises Caicedo the opportunity to deliver a perfectly timed through ball to Jackson. Jackson, composed under pressure, confidently slotted home his second goal, further deepening West Ham’s woes. The Hammers made efforts to respond but were left frustrated when VAR declined to award a penalty after Wesley Fofana appeared to tug on Crysencio Summerville’s shirt. The decision, based on the lack of “sustained holding,” left West Ham bitterly disappointed.
Chelsea’s dominance only intensified after halftime. Any chance of a West Ham comeback was crushed when Chelsea’s quick counter-attacking play again sliced through their defense. This time, Jackson turned provider, setting up Cole Palmer for a powerful finish that sealed the 3-0 victory. Chelsea’s relentless speed and precision in their counter-attacks left West Ham struggling to regain control of the match, as the Blues outplayed them in every department.
Despite West Ham’s defeat, Mohammed Kudus, who was arguably the standout player for his team, offered a sincere post-match reflection. He singled out Chelsea’s left-back Marc Cucurella for special praise. Throughout the game, Kudus found himself repeatedly dueling with Cucurella, and he couldn’t help but admire the Spaniard’s resilience and strength. Speaking in a post-match interview, Kudus highlighted Cucurella’s impressive ability to stifle his efforts on the wing.
“He played really well; it was tough to beat him one-on-one. He marked me closely the entire match,” Kudus admitted, as quoted by *Chelsea247*. He went on to describe several intense clashes with Cucurella, particularly pointing to a tackle in the second half that stood out as a significant moment. Kudus’ praise for Cucurella underscores the Chelsea defender’s determination and grit, reflecting the competitive nature of Premier League football, where even in defeat, players acknowledge the skill and quality of their opponents.
Kudus’ recognition of Cucurella’s performance highlights the defensive foundation Chelsea is building under their current management. While Chelsea’s attacking plays often grab headlines, players like Cucurella prove that their success is equally rooted in solid defensive work. For Kudus, coming up against such a formidable defender in Cucurella proved to be a challenging experience, but his ability to hold his own despite West Ham’s struggles demonstrated his individual talent.
In the end, Chelsea’s comprehensive win against West Ham, marked by Jackson’s clinical finishing and Cucurella’s relentless defending, showcased a team growing in confidence and unity. For West Ham, although the loss was disappointing, moments of individual brilliance from players like Kudus offered a silver lining. His strong personal performance earned respect, even in the face of a tough Chelsea side.