Nicolas Jackson ends drought as Chelsea boost top-5 push

LONDON – Chelsea boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League, as Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-game goal drought to seal a crucial 1-0 English Premier League win against Everton on April 26.

Jackson struck in the first half at Stamford Bridge to get back on the score sheet for the first time since December.

The much-maligned Senegal forward’s 10th goal of the season was enough to lift Enzo Maresca’s side into fifth place in the standings with 60 points, just a point behind Manchester City in fourth.

Newcastle United climbed to third following a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town, which meant that the Tractor Boys will be relegated.

Jackson’s winner, which sealed a second consecutive win for the Blues, ensured that they remain in the hunt to return to the Champions League with four games left.

“For the players, for the fans, everybody, that’s (making the Champions League) our dream. I’ve never played in it, so hopefully next year we play it. It’s not done yet, but now we move to the next one,” said the match-winner.

Defender Marc Cucurella added: “We know now every game is a final. Today we ran together and we felt like a team and we deserved this win.”

Despite the much-needed result, it was another nervous afternoon for Maresca, who insisted this week that his first season at Chelsea has not been a failure after criticism of the Italian’s conservative tactics.

He barely celebrated last weekend’s 2-1 win at Fulham, leaving the pitch immediately after the final whistle in a move that was interpreted as a response to mounting abuse from frustrated supporters.

The former Leicester City manager’s cautious game plans have irked fans, who have jeered Maresca and his players several times this season. But he is adamant he deserves respect for his work at Chelsea, who finished sixth under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino last term.

Maresca was not in the dugout for this match as he was suspended.

Chelsea are still not firing on all cylinders, but an uplifting climax is within reach as they aim to seal a place in the Champions League and also win the Conference League.

The Blues threatened an early goal when Noni Madueke cut inside for a low curler that forced a fine save from Jordan Pickford. That near-miss set the stage for Chelsea to seize control in the 27th minute with a well-crafted opener.

Everton striker Beto was dispossessed near the halfway line and Enzo Fernandez caressed a precise pass to Jackson, who turned in a flash and drilled a superb strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

In the midst of a difficult season marred by a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury, it was a sweet moment of redemption for the striker.

Everton were winless in their previous 61 away league games when trailing at half-time since a victory at West Bromwich Albion in 2015.

Beto carried Everton’s biggest threat in the second half and he went close with a low blast from Jack Harrison’s pass, forcing Robert Sanchez to save at full stretch.

In stoppage time, Carlos Alcaraz’s cross reached Dwight McNeil in the area, but Sanchez made another agile save.

Everton’s profligacy proved decisive as Chelsea held on, to Maresca’s intense relief.

“The first half we weren’t good, it was a mistake from Beto for the goal,” said Pickford.

“In second half we dominated as Chelsea sat in and took the 1-0. Robert Sanchez made a few good saves so credit to him. We just need to be better in the final third.” AFP