“He’s very hard to handle” – BBC Sport pundit claims West Ham didn’t get anywhere near £32m Chelsea player
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium showcased their attacking prowess, with Nicolas Jackson leading the charge. The Senegalese striker scored twice, exploiting the space given by a West Ham defense that struggled to contain Chelsea’s forwards. Jackson’s clinical finishing, especially his second goal with the outside of his boot, highlighted his potential to become a key figure for the Blues this season.
Cole Palmer also got on the scoresheet, continuing his impressive form since joining Chelsea and surpassing Erling Haaland for goal contributions in the Premier League during that period. Palmer’s goal came from a quick counter-attack, as Chelsea continually exposed the gaps in West Ham’s defense.
Criticism of West Ham’s Defending
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha criticized West Ham’s defensive effort, particularly for Jackson’s second goal. Speaking on BBC’s Final Score, Onuoha was baffled by the lack of pressure on Jackson, who wasn’t challenged by the Hammers’ defense. He pointed out that Julen Lopetegui, West Ham’s manager, would likely have stern words for his players at halftime due to their failure to close down Chelsea’s attackers.
Jackson’s Pressure and Improvement
Heading into the match, Jackson had been under some pressure following Christopher Nkunku’s game-winning performance off the bench against Bournemouth last weekend. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had a tough decision to make, but he opted to start Jackson, and that decision was validated after just four minutes when Jackson scored the opener.
Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel had previously called for Jackson to improve his finishing, and the striker responded in fine style with two well-taken goals. His consistent finishing will be crucial for Chelsea moving forward, especially as he competes with Nkunku for a place in the starting lineup. Jackson’s brace not only helped his team secure the win but also saw him surpass Olivier Giroud’s Premier League goal tally for Chelsea.
With this performance, Jackson has eased some of the pressure surrounding his spot in the team and will be aiming to maintain this level of clinical finishing throughout the season.
