Jackson’s goals punished the ‘sleepers’ of the Hammers in the Premier League

Nicolas Jackson scored his 20th and 21st Chelsea goals in his 50th appearance for the club as the Blues led 2-0 after 18 minutes against West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

In his perfect performance for Chelsea, Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho skipped past striker Jackson outside the West Ham defense on the left, got into the penalty area and beat Alphonse Areola with a low shot into the far corner of the net from a tight spot.

Senegal’s Jackson started the move with a quick free-kick from the center of his own half to start the move that ended in his third goal of the season.

Nico Jackson went to paper ✈️

The Chelsea striker doubles his side’s lead with another fine finish 🔥

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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballantnt) September 21, 2024

Jackson goals: West Ham ‘to panic’

“The free-kick was taken quickly; it’s Jackson’s quick thinking, which started,” former Leeds striker Lucy Ward told TNT Sports.

“West Ham fell asleep, really. The crowd can’t believe this – it’s been a theme of West Ham’s season where they’ve let the ball go in certain areas.

“You see everyone relaxing and Jackson is watching, thinking ‘we can go here’. What an ending. This place is shocking. West Ham are struggling to get back but he has really shown up [Areola] angle and pass through his legs.”

Jackson stepped into the penalty area and scored the second without the boot to double Chelsea’s lead 14 minutes later.

Moises Caicedo looked up on the halfway line and saw enough space to pass the onrushing Jackson, helping Chelsea become the only team other than Manchester City to reach double figures so far.

The goal also meant that Jackson has seven Premier League goals since May 1 – the highest tally in that period apart from Erling Haaland, who has 15.

Nico Jackson started well for Chelsea at the London Stadium 🤩

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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballantnt) September 21, 2024

Chelsea: Jackson ‘really confident’

Ward described Chelsea’s second goal as “very easy”. “Jackson is really confident – you can see how confident he is from the second end,” he added.

West Ham are yet to avoid defeat at home in the top flight under new manager Julen Lopetegui, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa and 3-1 to Manchester City.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s first game in the Premier League, former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole called the match a deserved win for the Hammers.

Lopetegui guided home victory, beating Bournemouth 1–0 with Jarrod Bowen’s 88th-minute winner in the second round of the Carabao Cup on August 28.