Blues hammer West Ham 5-0 at the Bridge to keep Euro hopes alive

By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 5 v West Ham 0

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Chelsea’s nosebleed continues as they move up to seventh in the Premier League after thrashing West Ham 5-0 at the Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

A brace from Nicolas Jackson and hits from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni saw off their east London rivals, who hit the woodwork three times.

There is still a chance, with two games remaining for the west Londoners to edge into the minor European competition next season, but Manchester United could replace them if they win at Crystal Palace tomorrow.

West Ham have been running on fumes for a few weeks now and will welcome the end of the season when it comes later this month.

It was a cagy, inconsistent start by both side, the first effort on goal, fell to Nicolas Jackson on 10 minutes when a well worked free-kick saw the striker hit a smart shot from a tight angle, which Alphonse Areola did well to block for a corner.

But it did not take long for the Blues to be a tad more clinical,and it came from the left boot of Cole Palmer who struck a beauty past Areola on 14 minutes.

West Ham responded well and Jarrod Bowen was unlucky to see a clipped header from a corner three minutes later to rebound off the Chelsea crossbar.

It was number two on 30 minutes as the Blues were patient around the Hammers penalty area.

The ball was then sent through and ex-Blue Kurt Zouma inadvertently nicked the ball skywards after being challenged by Noni but not far enough way and Conor Gallagher took full advantage and volleyed home past Areola.

You wait ages for a No11 bus and three turn up at once, well the same happened with goals at the Bridge and Noni was on hand to steer a powerful Benoit Badiashile header home to put the Blues 3-0 clear on 35 minutes.

Gallagher then missed an open goal when a brilliant run on the right by Noni say the midfielder smack a simple left footer off the crossbar.

Bowen then rattled the Chelsea bar with seconds of the half remaining.

But it was the same for Chelsea – within two minutes of the restart a simple, long ball by Chalobah who fed Noni, who raced into the Hammers area.

He squared the ball to Nicolas Jackson who tapped in number four.

Emerson missed a golden opportunity to put some sort of respectability to the scoreline, when he found himself free on the left inside the Chelsea area.

But the ex-Blue skied his effort into row Z of the Shed.

James Ward-Prowse tried a trademark free kick on 55 minutes, but Djordje Petrovic was equal to the task and tipped the ball over his crossbar.

David Moyes brought on Danny Ings for Michail Antonio with 20 minutes left on the clock.

This was reciprocated by the inclusion of Christopher Nkunku and Cesare Casadei for Noni and Mudryk.

West Ham can can themselves mystified how they haven score a couple – Bowen clipped the Chelsea crossbar.

Jackson then went up the other end and latching onto a long ball before slotting home.

The linesman gave an offside, VAR had a look and decided he was onside after all.

That made it 5-0 on 80 minutes.

Chelsea could have done with a few VAR decisions going there way in recent week, but it appears luck is all on their side at present.

Thiago Silva was replaced by Axel Disasi while Chalobah came off for Malo Gusto.

Alfie Gilchrist had a couple of more minutes on the pitch at the expense of start man Palmer.

Teams: Chelsea: Petrovic, Cucurella, Badiashile, Silva, Mudryk, Noni, Chalobah, Jackson, Palmer, Gallagher, Caicedo

Subs: Bettinelli, Disasi, Sterling, Nkunku, Colwill, Gusto, Casadei, Deivid, Gilchrist

West Ham: Areola, Zouma, Coufal, Antonio, Paqueta, Kudus, Alvarez, Bowen, Ogbonna, Soucek, Emerson

Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Ward-Prowse, Cornet, Ings, Earthy, Casey, Mubama

Referee: Andrew Madley

 

Pictured top: Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson (left) scores his sides fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match against West Ham Picture: PA