Chelsea Dominates West Ham 5-0 in London Derby to Keep European Hopes Alive

Chelsea dominated (5-0) at home against West Ham in the London derby to keep their chances of next season’s European competitions alive, this Sunday in a matchday clash 36 of the Premier League.

The evening was perfect for the team coached by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino as it also saw the return of their French striker Christopher Nkunku, who had been out since the end of February.

With 54 points, Chelsea are in seventh place and two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle. They are currently ahead of Manchester United (8th, 54 points), who visit Crystal Palace on Monday (14th).

Sixth place qualifies for the next Conference League or even for the Europa League if Manchester City wins the FA Cup final on May 25 against neighbors Manchester United.

In this Sunday’s game, Chelsea got off to a good start, with three goals before the 40th minute, thanks to Cole Palmer (15), Conor Gallagher (30) and Noni Madueke (36).

In the second half the ‘little hand’ completed a double from Senegalese Nicolas Jackson (48, 80).

For Palmer it was his 21st Premier League goal, on the eve of his 22nd birthday.

He has been decisive this season for Chelsea, for whom he has also provided nine assists in this league.

Chelsea, the European champions in 2012 and 2021, have three games left in this Premier League, against Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth.

Nkunku came on in the 77th minute He had not played since Chelsea’s League Cup final loss to Liverpool on February 25.

For their part, Brighton (11th) surprised Aston Villa (4th) 1-0, who have forgotten a week. Last Thursday they lost 4-2 at home against Olympiacos in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they must look for a good comeback on Thursday next week. Greece.

Brazilian Joao Pedro scored for Brighton in the 87th minute, with a header after missing a penalty.

Aston Villa, who settled in the Champions League, still have good momentum over fifth place Tottenham, who are seven points behind the Birmingham team before they close the games this Sunday with a visit to Liverpool (3rd).