West Ham United 0-3 Chelsea. Chelsea grabbed the lead just four minutes in after West Ham’s defense failed to react to a quick free-kick, allowing Jadon Sancho to set up Jackson on the left. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, once again opting for a casual look in jeans on the sidelines—something his predecessor David Moyes wouldn’t have done—seemed to mirror his team’s laid-back performance.
From the start, West Ham’s lack of urgency was clear. Chelsea dominated possession in midfield, as the Hammers barely pressed or challenged them. The game’s atmosphere felt more like a relaxed pre-season match than the intensity expected in a London derby.
By the time West Ham showed any fight, they were already 2-0 down, with Jackson capitalizing on every chance. His precise finishing put Chelsea firmly in control, and by the 47th minute, the result was all but sealed.
Though it’s early in Lopetegui’s tenure, and he’s working on implementing a more attacking, possession-based approach, this third home defeat sets an unwanted record for the club: never before in West Ham’s 129-year history had they lost their first three home games of a season.
While defeats to Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Chelsea are far from humiliating, Lopetegui has plenty to address. There’s a lot of work ahead to get the team performing at the level expected.
Jackson’s move to Chelsea from Villarreal for £32 million in 2023 initially raised some eyebrows after his modest return of 13 goals in 48 games. However, after scoring 17 times in 44 appearances last season, the 23-year-old is already showing signs of a potentially prolific campaign. With four goals in five Premier League games so far, he’s proving a valuable asset.
Having just signed a contract extension through 2033, Jackson’s two-goal performance here helped justify Chelsea’s faith in him. His ability to sniff out scoring opportunities, coupled with his calm and precise finishing, suggests a bright future, especially in tough away fixtures where chances are limited.
Jackson’s stats in London derbies are impressive—10 goals in 12 appearances—showing he can rise to big occasions. West Ham’s defense struggled to handle his speed and agility, particularly as he regularly outpaced their last line of defense.
His partnership with Jadon Sancho, making his full debut under Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, also looked promising. The duo combined well for Chelsea’s opening goal and continued to link up effectively throughout the match.
Jackson demonstrated his quality again, leaving Edson Alvarez behind, cutting inside onto his right foot, and threading a shot through the legs of Alphonse Areola. Just 14 minutes later, he added a second, racing past Max Kilman to score with the outside of his boot, leaving Areola stranded once more.
Chelsea sealed the win shortly after halftime, with Jackson turning provider. A swift counterattack saw him play a clever reverse pass, allowing Cole Palmer to finish confidently past Areola.
West Ham had a few moments of frustration, particularly after VAR dismissed a strong penalty shout when Crysencio Summerville went down in the box following a challenge from Wesley Fofana. Mohammed Kudus briefly gave the home side hope with a goal just before halftime, but it was disallowed for offside, while Jarrod Bowen tested Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a close-range effort after the break.
Chelsea’s win moves them within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, while West Ham sit in the lower half of the table, just three points above the relegation zone.
