Chelsea kept their dreams of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Club Champions League alive with a convincing win over fellow Londoners West Ham United.
Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Hammers in the 36th round of the 2023-2024 English Premier League at Stamford Bridge in London, England, on Friday (Aug. 5), thanks to relay goals from Cole Palmer, Connor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Nicola Jackson (two).
The win was Chelsea’s second straight, following a 2-0 home win over Tottenham three days earlier. With 15 wins, nine draws and 11 losses (54 points), Chelsea moved into seventh place in the standings, ahead of Manchester United (54 points), who have yet to play 36 rounds. The gap to fifth-place Tottenham (60 points), which qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, is now two games. Newcastle United (56 points), who have also played one game less, are two points behind.
Chelsea have three games remaining this season against Nottingham, Brighton, and Bournemouth, all of which are winnable.
In the Premier League, the fifth-place team qualifies for the Europa League and the sixth-place team qualifies for the UEFA Conference League. With the loss, West Ham remained in ninth place with 13 wins, 10 draws, and 13 losses (49 points).
Against the Hammers, Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. With goalkeeper Jorge Petrovic as the gatekeeper, the back four consisted of Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiassil, Thiago Silva, and Trevor Chalobah.
The double volante consisted of Moises Caicedo and Gallagher. The second line was Madueke, Palmer, and Mikhailo Mudrique. Jackson played up front.
West Ham, managed by David Moyes, also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Alfonso Areola was in goal, while the back four was Emerson, Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma, and Vladimir Koufal.
Tomas Sucek and Edson Alvarez started in central midfield. The back three consisted of Mohamed Cudus, Lucas Paqueta, and Jared Boyne. Mikhail Antonio started up top.
The game was tilted early as Chelsea scored three goals in the first half. Chelsea opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Chalobah’s cross from the right flank was deflected back to Jackson at the edge of the penalty area, where Palmer slotted home with his left foot.
The goal gave Palmer 21 goals and nine assists on the season, taking him to 30 offensive points. He moved into sole possession of second place in the Premier League in goals, behind Elling Holland, who scored 25 against Wolverhampton the previous day.
Chelsea took the lead in the 30th minute. Palmer’s quick left-footed pass 토토 from just inside the halfway line was trapped by Jackson and, as the ball was cleared off the line, Gallagher pounced on it and slotted home a right-footed volley to make it 2-0.
Then, in the 36th minute, Mourinho’s corner kick was headed across the face of goal by Silva from the right side of the penalty area, where Madueke headed a deflected shot into the back of the net.
Chelsea added a fourth goal early in the second half to cement the victory. Chalobah’s long ball forward was met by Madueke, who beat two defenders to the ball at the edge of the penalty area before cutting in on the left to Jackson.
Jackson slotted the ball home with his left foot for his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
Jackson earned his first multi-goal game of the season in the 35th minute when he headed home a pass from Caicedo that was initially ruled offside but was later ruled a goal after video assistant referee (VAR) review. Chelsea introduced striker Christopher N’Kunku, who was the top scorer in the German Bundesliga last season but has been sidelined with a series of injuries since joining Chelsea last summer, as a midway point of the second half.
The Hammers brought on James Ward-Prowse, a free-kick taker, late on in search of an equalizer, but were unsuccessful.
West Ham striker Boyne was unlucky to see three of his shots on the day hit the post.
