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Chelsea’s dominant 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium highlighted their offensive capabilities, with Nicolas Jackson at the forefront. The Senegalese striker netted twice, taking advantage of West Ham’s defensive lapses. His second goal, struck with the outside of his boot, underscored his ability and potential to become a key player for Chelsea this season.
Cole Palmer also added to the scoreline, continuing his strong form since joining Chelsea. Impressively, he has surpassed Erling Haaland in Premier League goal contributions during this period. Palmer’s goal resulted from a swift counter-attack, as Chelsea consistently exploited the weaknesses in West Ham’s defense.
Criticism of West Ham’s Defending
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha criticized West Ham’s defensive efforts, particularly concerning Jackson’s second goal. Speaking on BBC’s *Final Score*, Onuoha expressed surprise at the lack of pressure on Jackson, noting that West Ham’s defenders failed to challenge the striker. He suggested that West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui would likely have harsh words for his team at halftime for allowing Chelsea’s forwards so much freedom.
Jackson’s Pressure and Response
Before the match, Jackson had been under scrutiny after Christopher Nkunku’s impressive game-winning display off the bench against Bournemouth the previous weekend. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had a difficult decision, but he chose to start Jackson, and that choice was quickly rewarded when Jackson opened the scoring just four minutes into the game.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel had previously called for Jackson to improve his finishing, and the striker responded by delivering two well-taken goals. Jackson’s sharp finishing will be crucial for Chelsea as they progress through the season, especially with competition from Nkunku for a starting spot. His brace not only secured the win but also moved him past Olivier Giroud’s Premier League goal tally for Chelsea.
With this standout performance, Jackson has alleviated some of the pressure surrounding his place in the team and will look to maintain his level of clinical finishing as the season continues.