Jackson scores twice as Chelsea routs West Ham 5-0
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson scores his side’s fifth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea routed West Ham 5-0 in the Premier League on Sunday to boost its chances of qualifying for Europe next season.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice at Stamford Bridge as Mauricio Pochettino’s team moved up to seventh in the standings and two points behind sixth-place Newcastle.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, right, and Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
The win maintained Chelsea’s impressive recent scoring run at home, taking its total to 22 goals in the last six league games in front of its own fans.
“It’s true last season was tough for everyone here and to turn the feelings and performance this season is difficult,” Pochettino said. “We needed time for everyone to trust in the process and we have recovered good feelings at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s fifth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Chelsea was 3-0 up at halftime after Cole Palmer scored his 26th goal of the season in all competitions in the 15th minute. Conor Gallagher volleyed in a second in the 30th and Noni Madueke headed in the third six minutes later.
Jackson scored in the 48th and 80th minutes to take his season’s tally to 16 and three in his last two games.
The victory meant Chelsea recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time since January.
The loss for West Ham means it is likely to miss out on Europe, with the result leaving David Moyes’ team in ninth, five points behind Chelsea, with only two games remaining this season.
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Chelsea players celebrate after Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson scored his side’s fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, right, celebrates with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke after scoring his side’s fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
West Ham’s manager David Moyes reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)