Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson was in prime form on Saturday as Chelsea sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium in a derby between the West and East London rivals.
The 23-year-old scored twice and assisted Cole Palmer for Chelsea’s third as the Blues made it three straight away wins in the Premier League this season, following previous victories at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth.
A third successive away win for @ChelseaFC 💪#WHUCHE pic.twitter.com/LC385R4SAw
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 21, 2024
Jackson, who was making his 50th appearance for Chelsea, opened the scoring for Enzo Maresca’s men inside the first four minutes. The former Villarreal man got the ball off Jadon Sancho before running at the Hammers’ defence and slotting the ball between Alphonso Areola’s legs and into the back of the net.
The Senegal international made it two soon after with another sublime finish in the 18th minute. After a period of controlled possession for the visitors, Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo picked out Jackson, who was in acres of space and was allowed to run at the West Ham defence before beating the goalkeeper once again.
The hosts felt they should have had a penalty when Crysencio Summerville was dragged down by French defender Wesley Fofana. However, referee Samuel Barrott’s decision not to award the spot-kick was upheld by Stuart Attwell, in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
On came the second half, and Chelsea were quick to get another goal, this time through Palmer, who got his second league goal of the season. The Blues broke away swiftly from an initial West Ham attack, and Caicedo found Jackson, who then played Palmer in before the former Manchester City man finished confidently past Areola.
The goal wrapped up all three points for the Blues as they moved into second place in the league standings with ten points after five games, while Maresca became the first manager since his former boss Pep Guardiola in 2016 to win his first three away matches in the league.
A strong start to life on the road for Enzo Maresca at @ChelseaFC 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/AUJwW1U0RA
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 21, 2024
Jackson, on the other hand, took his season tally to four goals and two assists in the Premier League, with his first half brace after 18 minutes being the fastest of any Chelsea player since club legend Didier Drogba did the same in 17 minutes in January 2005.
2 – Nicolas Jackson’s brace after 18 minutes is the quickest by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Didier Drogba v Middlesbrough in January 2005 (17 minutes). Finisher. pic.twitter.com/a5eJcr4Len
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
The Blues will be in action on Tuesday, at home to Barrow in the EFL Cup, before welcoming Brighton and Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge next Saturday in the Premier League.
West Ham, however, have their work cut out for them as they have lost their first three home matches in a Premier League season for the first time ever. Julien Lopetegui’s side are on the road in their next two games—first is an EFL Cup tie against Liverpool and then league action at the Gtech Community Stadium against Brentford.
