Chelsea made it four home wins on the bounce in the Premier League as they smashed sorry West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead, then Conor Gallagher made it 2-0 before Noni Madueke added a third before half time. Nicolas Jackson scored twice in the second half to put further gloss on the scoreline, as West Ham hit the crossbar three times through Jarrod Bowen as David Moyes’ men put in a torrid defensive display.
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The win puts Chelsea on to 54 points as they sit in seventh place with three games to go and are in the hunt for European qualification. West Ham are on 49 points after three defeats in their last four and their hopes of reaching Europe are all but over.
Pochettino will be very positive about next season
[ MORE: Pochettino’s long speech on what’s changing at Chelsea ]
It looks like Chelsea could finish in the European spots after all and given everything they have been through this season that would be a remarkable achievement. Chelsea won’t spend much this summer and they probably don’t need to. Defensively they will have key players back and that is the main area where Chelsea can improve, as even in this mauling they gave up big chances and had the crossbar to thank on three occasions for not conceding. Going forward and in midfield they look pretty set as the quartet of Madueke, Palmer, Jackson and Gallagher have clicked in attack. Not having to bed in new players and introduce your philosophy during preseason will be a huge help to Pochettino, and the finish to this season will have bought him more time as things are clearly heading in the right direction at Chelsea. With Liverpool having a new manager, Spurs’ project under Postecoglou stalling, Manchester United struggling on and Aston Villa unlikely to maintain their upward trend with Champions League football likely, Chelsea will have a legitimate chance of finishing in the top four next season.
Chelsea vs West Ham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Nicolas Jackson had a fine day up top as he dragged West Ham’s defense all over the place. Gallagher, Palmer and Madueke were excellent too as they have clicked as a unit and Caicedo was superb in midfield. Kudus and Bowen played well for West Ham and the latter was so unlucky as he hit the crossbar three times.
What’s next?
Chelsea head to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, May 11. West Ham host Luton on the same day.
How to watch Chelsea vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9 am ET, Sunday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Chelsea vs West Ham score: 5-0
Palmer 15', Gallagher 30', Madueke 36', Jackson 48', 80'
Chelsea vs West Ham live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
Chelsea were clinical and West Ham were woeful at the back. The Hammers had chances but hit the bar three times but in truth Chelsea were by far the better team and look very slick throughout.
Caicedo plays in Jackson who slots home - Chelsea 5-0 West Ham (80th minute)
Brilliant midfield play by Caicedo who goes forward and plays in Jackson to slot home.
Bowen hits the crossbar, again
Bowen’s effort deflects off Badiashille’s arm and pings off bar. That is three times Bowen has hit the bar today.
Madueke’s shot is saved by Areola
Madueke cuts inside and his low shot is saved by Areola. Chelsea pushing for a fifth.
Ward-Prowse curls a free kick that Petrovic tips over
Great save from the Chelsea goalkeeper as Ward-Prowse’s free kick is a beauty and heading to the top corner but Petrovic tips over.
Emerson should score for West Ham
Paqueta plays a lovely ball through to Emerson and he is clean through. He should score but the left back fires over.
Jackson taps home - Chelsea 4-0 West Ham (48th minute)
Madueke is played in over the top and he’s onside and plays in Jackson who taps home. This could get very embarrassing for West Ham.
Half time: Chelsea 3-0 West Ham
Dominant display from Chelsea who could have scored four or five. West Ham have hit the bar twice through Bowen with their only two efforts and the Hammers have been woeful.
Bowen hits the bar again
A cross sees Petrovic come for it but he doesn’t get anywhere near it. The ball drops to Bowen and his lovely twisting volley smacks the bar and comes back out. Bowen has hit the bar twice in the first half and he can’t believe it.
Gallagher hits the bar, then almost gets in
A cross from the right from the brilliant Palmer finds Gallagher a few yards out and he reacts quickly but puts his shot against the crossbar. He should score. Moments later Gallagher is in but he goes down under pressure in the box. No penalty.
Chelsea 3-0 up and they've been excellent in the first half, but West Ham have been so poor. Total lack of energy, grit and organization. Not something you would ever associate with a David Moyes team. #CFC 3-0 #WHUFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 5, 2024
Madueke’s shot deflects wide, then he heads home! - Chelsea 3-0 West Ham (36th minute)
It is all Chelsea and Pochettino is applauding his players. This time Madueke cuts in on his left foot and curls just wide from outside the box. It took a deflection and is a Chelsea corner. From that corner Thiago Silva heads back across goal and Madueke heads home. West Ham are absolutely all over the place and the marking was so poor.
Brilliant finish as Gallagher volleys home - Chelsea 2-0 West Ham (30th minute)
Palmer plays it in to Madueke, the ball loops up off Zouma and falls straight to Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher who volleys home. Chelsea deservedly double their lead.
Madueke’s effort deflects over, then Chalobah should score with a header
Mudryk surges forward down the left and cuts it back for the onrushing Madueke. His shot is on target but Soucek gets the block in and the ball deflects over the bar and out for a corner. From the corner Trevoh Chalobah has a free header but nods it right at Areola.
Bowen hits the bar!
A corner from the left is whipped in and Jarrod Bowen thumps a header against the crossbar. Almost an immediate response to that Chelsea goal from the Hammers with their first real effort of the game.
Chelsea lead! Palmer slots home - Chelsea 1-0 West Ham (15th minute)
Noni Madueke does well on the right and his cross is flicked down by Jackson and falls perfectly for Cole Palmer who slots home. Cool as you like, as always, from Palmer.
Hosts pushing for the opener
Thiago Silva pulls the ball back from the byline and Areola has to save down low at his near post. After a slow start, Chelsea are building some momentum.
Chelsea lineup
Petrovic; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
West Ham lineup
Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
Chelsea focus, team news
OUT: Enzo Fernandez (groin), Reece James (thigh), Malo Gusto (knee), Romeo Lavia (hamstring - out for season), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL - out for season), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Robert Sanchez (illness), Malo Gusto (knee), Thiago Silva (hip), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Levi Colwill (foot), Ben Chilwell (knee), Raheem Sterling (back), Axel Disasi (knock), Christopher Nkunku (thigh)
West Ham focus, team news
QUESTIONABLE: Konstantinos Mavropanos (knock), George Earthy (concussion), Nayef Aguerd (foot)
