Chelsea cruised past West Ham with a 3-0 win at London Stadium on Saturday, as the Blues continue to progress under Enzo Maresca.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice early and Cole Palmer added a third early in the second half as West Ham got their pressing all wrong and Chelsea were excellent on the counter.
The Blues have now won three of their opening five games and have 10 points on the board, while West Ham have lost three of their opening five games and Julen Lopetegui was fuming as his side put in an extremely poor defensive display as they were out of shape so often in midfield.
Chelsea’s wealth of attackers thriving on the counter
The way Chelsea dismantled West Ham on the counter with just a couple of passes time and time again showcased how they plan to unleash their incredible attacking talent under Maresca. He did this a lot at Leicester last season. Everybody is fixated on their possession-based style, which is important, but like Leicester this Chelsea side is full of pace and direct runners on the counter. Jackson, Sancho, Palmer and Madueke tore West Ham apart with a lovely mix of speed, quick thinking and direct passing. They then had Nkunku, Felix and Neto to bring off the bench to continue that theme as every time West Ham gave the ball away or Chelsea connected a couple of passes in midfield they had so many options on the counter. In their wins at Wolves, Bournemouth and now West Ham they have thrived on the break and even if there are questions about their defensive solidity, their fluidity and directness in attack more than makes up for it.
West Ham vs Chelsea player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Chelsea’s entire attacking unit had a lovely time with Jackson sensational stretching West Ham and Palmer, Sancho and Madueke all buzzing around on the counter. Caicedo was excellent in central midfield.
What’s next?
West Ham head to Brentford next Saturday, September 28. Chelsea head to Brighton on the same day.
How to watch West Ham vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: London Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
West Ham vs Chelsea final score: 0-3
Jackson 4', 18', Palmer 47'
West Ham vs Chelsea live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Felix smashes just wide
Chelsea are creating chances galore late on at a nearly empty London Stadium, as most of the home fans left a long time ago.
Areola denies Nkunku
Chelsea are really piling on the pressure now and Nkunku’s header from close range is clawed away by Areola. Really good stop.
Felix, Nkunku, Neto come on
What a triple sub that is for Chelsea as Palmer, Jackson and Sancho are off with Felix, Nkunku and Neto on. Disasi is on for Fofana too. Chelsea go close to scoring a fourth as Neto smashes one into the side-netting.
Madueke should do better on the counter
This time Madueke is clean through and he has Neto and Palmer to slot in to finish. But the English winger drills a shot straight at Areola and didn’t even get his head up. Chelsea could grab another two or three goals here.
Soler, Antonio on
West Ham bring on Antonio and Soler for Summerville and Alvarez, and there are loud boos from the home fans when Summerville is replace. The Dutch winger has played well. West Ham still look so vulnerable defensively on the counter. It’s so easy for Chelsea.
Palmer smashes home on the counter - West Ham 0-3 Chelsea
Jackson combines with Caicedo and leads a counter. He then plays it to Palmer who has so much to do, but he spanks the ball home off the near post. Wow.
Half time: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
The damage was done early by Chelsea as Nicolas Jackson was clinical, as the Blues made the most of some very sloppy positioning and pressing from West Ham. The hosts have improved and could have had a penalty kick, but Chelsea cruising at the interval.
Guido Rodriguez is off and Tomas Soucek is on
Something had to change for West Ham in midfield and Guido Rodriguez is hooked off before half time. Chelsea have been cutting through the West Ham midfield so easily, and Soucek will add some extra physicality and play a little higher to try and pin Chelsea’s central midfielders back.
Kudus scores, but he’s offside
Great build-up play from West Ham and that leads to Kudus being played in and he finishes. But VAR checks the offside decision and he was off by half a yard. So much better from West Ham.
VAR check for a penalty kick for West Ham
Fofana could be in trouble here. He holds back Summerville as he surged into the box but after a VAR check, no penalty kick is given as there was no ‘sustained holding’ from Fofana. VAR stands with the on-pitch decision. The Hammers are playing really well now. They’ve pinned Chelsea in and Paqueta, Summerville, Kudus and Bowen are picking gaps.
#WHUCHE – 28’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 21, 2024
The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Fofana on Summerville is checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that this was not sustained holding.
Jackson finishes clinically again! - West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
My word, this is so easy for Chelsea. West Ham are all over the place in midfield and defense and Julen Loopetegui is livid. Brilliant quick passing from Chelsea and Caicedo has all the time in the world to pick out Jackson, who is clean through and finishes with the outside of his boot. Chelsea cruising inside the first 20 minutes. West Ham have to change this style up. They aren’t pressing well enough and the timing is off.
So close to a second for Chelsea
Jackson once again is free down the left and he cuts it back to Cole Palmer who sweeps the ball towards the far corner but he just scuffed it a little and it squirms wide. Chelsea should be 2-0 up.
What a start for Chelsea as Jackson puts the them ahead! - West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
After an early chance for West Ham’s Kudus, it’s Chelsea who take the lead. A quick free kick from Jackson sees the ball played to Sancho who plays Jackson in-behind down the left. He still has a lot to do but cuts inside and nutmegs Areola at his near post to put Chelsea ahead. Brilliant quick thinking from Jackson, but that is woeful defending from West Ham. They totally switched off.
West Ham lineup
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
West Ham focus, team news
Jarrod Bowen is leading from the front with a goal and an assist, while Max Kilman has delivered the goods at the back for a solid early return on his big purchase from Wolves. Michail Antonio looks set to get another chance to impress at center forward, as Niclas Fullkrug is less than 100%.
QUESTIONABLE: Niclas Fullkrug (thigh), Emerson Palmieri (knee).
Chelsea focus, team news
Will Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall recover from a midweek illness in time to feature? There’s uncertainty in the midfield at the moment as Romeo Lavia is also injured, so Renato Veiga could again be in for a start alongside Moises Caicedo.
OUT: Reece James (thigh), Omari Kellyman (thigh), Malo Gusto (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (thigh), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (illness), Enzo Fernandez (illness)
West Ham vs Chelsea prediction
Should be cagey, right? Cole Palmer feels due for a goal sooner rather than later, and Chelsea’s attacking depth gives it a chance to find a breakthrough at any point in the game. West Ham 1-2 Chelsea.
West Ham vs Chelsea preview
The visitors are unbeaten in three Premier League matches since they started the Maresca era with a 2-0 loss vs champions Manchester City in Week 1. They beat Bournemouth in Week 4 with the help of a solid debut from Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho off the bench. So far, there have been few surprises in West Ham’s start to the season. The Irons beat Crystal Palace, suffered a narrow defeat to Aston Villa, lost 3-1 to Man City, and drew Fulham 1-1.
There’s a sense, however, that Lopetegui’s side are meant for bigger things and a win here at home would send a loud message to the Premier League.
