Nicolas Jackson double fires Chelsea to victory at woeful West Ham

LONDON – Nicolas Jackson is growing in confidence, and he demonstrated that by firing Chelsea to a 3-0 English Premier League win against West Ham United on Sept 21 with a decisive double at the London Stadium.

The Senegal striker struck twice in the first half, before Cole Palmer wrapped up the Blues’ third win in five league games under new manager Enzo Maresca.

It was a well-timed brace from Jackson, who was Chelsea’s first-choice striker for the day, despite Christopher Nkunku’s match-winning impact against Bournemouth last weekend.

“Growing higher with my teammates, they help me a lot and they have confidence in me,” he told TNT Sport.

“I have been injured for two months, I come back fresh and I hope to get more. I am trying to work hard and do more than last year.”

Maresca added: “The performance from Nicolas and Cole was top; not only because they scored but... the way they work off the ball has been top. If we understand that we need that and with the desire, we can probably build something important.”

Although he signed a contract extension earlier in September that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033, there were calls for Nkunku to start after the French forward came off the bench to net in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

Jackson scored 17 goals in an inconsistent debut season with the Blues but was guilty of missing a number of big chances. The 23-year-old has been in fine form at the start of this season and already has four goals and two assists in six games in all competitions.

Chelsea have won all three away league games this season, losing only once, against champions Manchester City, in their five top-flight matches.

Despite a reported power struggle between Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali behind the scenes, former Leicester City boss Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the close-season, has made a strong impression.

After disappointing sixth and 12th-place finishes in the last two seasons, there are encouraging signs that the Italian could be the manager to turn Chelsea’s expensively assembled squad of underachievers into top-four contenders.

Meanwhile, the Hammers’ dismal start to the season has already put new boss Julen Lopetegui under pressure, with the Spaniard jeered by the few frustrated fans who had not left the ground well before the final whistle.

West Ham have won just one of their five Premier League games this term, losing three in a row at home to start a league campaign for the first time.

“We were never in the game, which is an awful thing to say,” said captain Jarrod Bowen.

“The goals that they scored were easy on our part – two gifts. You have to be switched on in every moment. On the pitch, it felt quite easy to play through (us), a disappointing day all round.”

Chelsea made a flying start after just four minutes when Jackson cut into the penalty area and slipped the ball between goalkeeper Alphonse Areola’s legs.

It was the Blues’ earliest goal in a Premier League London derby since Daniel Sturridge netted against Queens Park Rangers in 2012.

Chelsea’s pressure was relentless and there was a sense of inevitability about their second goal in the 18th minute. At the climax of a free-flowing move, Moises Caicedo produced a deft pass that pierced the West Ham defence, allowing Jackson to guide a composed finish past Areola.

Lopetegui was furious with West Ham’s lethargy and responded by hauling off Argentina midfielder Guido Rodríguez before half-time. But replacement Tomas Soucek hardy improved his manager’s mood when he wastefully fired straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Palmer then killed off West Ham in the 47th minute as the England forward picked up Jackson’s pass and slotted past Areola from a tight angle. AFP