Chelsea celebrated a 5-0 victory over West Ham, which lifted them to seventh place in the Premier League.
In comparison with the 2-0 victory over Tottenham last Tuesday, a recovered Thiago Silva returned to the starting line-up of the Blues, replacing Alfie Gilchrist.
The starting line-up of the Hammers did not change relative to 2-2 with Liverpool last weekend.
At the beginning of the match, the teams played without a goal, which, however, did not prevent the hosts from opening the scoring in the 15th minute. Nicholas Jackson’s shot from the center of the penalty area after passing from the flank was blocked by Kurt Zuma, but the ball bounced comfortably to Cole Palmer, who immediately shot 1-0.
In the 16th minute, the guests responded. Jarrod Bowen easily outpaced Mark Cucurella and smashed his head into the crossbar.
After opening the scoring, Chelsea gained confidence and doubled their advantage around the half-hour mark. Zuma did not allow Jackson to tame the ball in the penalty area, but it jumped into the air, and Conor Gallagher shot into touch from the fly — 2-0.
In the 36th minute, West Ham conceded again. Mikhail Mudrik hung from a corner to the far post, Silva made a discount on Noni Madueke, and he nodded his head at the goal — 3-0.
The Hammers didn’t look good at all. In the 38th minute, only the crossbar saved the visitors after Gallagher’s shot from close range.
At the end of the first half, West Ham could have soaked the score, but Bowen was again prevented from scoring by the crossbar of George Petrovic’s goal.
The second half began with Trevo Chalobah launching Madueke into a break from his half of the field, who entered the penalty area and generously allowed Jackson to hit an empty net — 4-0.
The Blues did not settle for four goals, continuing to regularly strain the Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areol.
In the 79th minute, the visitors snapped back with Bowen’s third hit of the match, and then conceded the fifth goal. Moises Caicedo from the central circle launched Jackson forward, who realized a one—on-one exit – 5-0. Initially, the referee did not want to count the goal, but the VAR system found out that Nicholas avoided offside.
Chelsea played an almost flawless match, one of their best of the season. The Blues finally began to obey Mauricio Pochettino, but West Ham, it seems, are already looking forward to parting with David Moyes.
Chelsea vs West Ham. Match Report