West Ham 0-3 Chelsea: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Blues Cruise Their Way To London Bragging Rights?

Extending on their recent Premier League flurry, Chelsea stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against West Ham on Saturday lunchtime.

Getting off to a dream start here, Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in the first four minutes as the Senegal international slotted past Alphonse Areola.

In complete control throughout the early stages and with West Ham failing to lay any kind of blow, Enzo Maresca’s side quickly doubled their advantage as Jackson slotted home to grab his and Chelsea’s second in the 18th-minute.

Now collecting 10 points from their previous four Premier League appearances, the Blues once again came flying out of the traps when returning from the half-time break as England international Cole Palmer added a third.

Not really having to get out of third gear, Chelsea couldn’t have asked for a better Saturday lunchtime across the capital.

As for the Hammers, putting in a woeful performance here and with the home support making their feelings crystal clear, West Ham find increasing pressure on their shoulders.

On an afternoon when Chelsea claimed London bragging rights at a canter, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Chelsea lay down another marker

Although Chelsea might have opened up the new campaign with a routine 2-0 loss at home against defending champions Manchester City last month, the Blues have come roaring back in some style.

Marking their return from September’s international break with a dramatic late 1-0 victory away at Bournemouth last weekend, Saturday’s guests should find the mood in their camp at a real high.

With their sights firmly set on clinching a lucrative Champions League return this season, Maresca’s side have collected 10 points from their last four top-flight appearances and they have continued to receive plenty of praise.

Putting in what was a dominant performance here and more than deserving of maximum points away from Stamford Bridge, the former Leicester boss will take plenty of performances away from a rampant display.

Appearing to have found some much-welcomed defensive stability and laying down what was a heavyweight marker on Saturday afternoon, the Blues will be looking to keep up their recent momentum when they welcome Brighton to west London next weekend.

Jackson extends on his Premier League flurry

While many around Stamford Bridge might have been frustrated over the summer as Chelsea failed to bring in a new striking option, Jackson has enjoyed quite the free-scoring start to proceedings.

Bagging a classy first-half brace and cashing in on a West Ham defence that have rustically failed to find any kind of grit at the back, the former Villarreal marksmen has certainly underlined his status as Maresca’s leading man.

Putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal earlier in the month and cementing his spot as a real fan favourite around west London Jackson has now registered four Premier League strikes so far this season.

Running the Hammers’ defence ragged from the start on Saturday lunchtime, Maresca was quick to praise his number nine and reiterate just how much of an important role the 23-year-old has to play in Chelsea’s top-four charge.

Woeful West Ham

While West Ham might have got a new era underway this summer following the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability and there is rightfully mounting pressure on the ex-Wolves boss.

Although Saturday’s hosts might have really broken the bank during the summer transfer window, they have recorded just a single victory from any of their first five Premier League appearances and they have been nothing short of abysmal.

Despite snatching a last-gasp 1-1 stalemate away at London rivals Fulham last weekend, Lopetegui’s struggling squad have continued to gain quite the reputation for their glaring defensive struggles.

Completely blown away on home soil and with the London Stadium support making their feeling abundantly clear, West Ham have remarkably now registered just a single Premier League clean sheet since way back on January 2nd.

Met by a chorus of boos at the full-time whistle and drastically failing to show a new identity following David Moyes’ departure, Lopetegui has serious questions the need to be answered.

Match Report

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Rodriguez, Alvarez, Paqueta, Summerville, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Soucek, Soler, Creswell, Irving, Antonio

Chelsea: Sanchez, Cucurella, Colwell, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Fernandez, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson

Subs: Diasi, Neto, Felix, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall,

Goals: Jackson (4’, 18’), Palmer (47’)

Yellow Cards: West Ham: Kilman, Alvarez – Chelsea: Cucurella, Fofana

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Sam Barrott