The match: 0-3
Chelsea are decidedly irresistible away from home this season. After winning at Wolverhampton (6-2) and Bournemouth (1-0), Enzo Maresca’s team have now secured a third away win, dominating West Ham (3-0) at the London Stadium this Saturday afternoon, as part of the 5th day of the Premier League.
In the scorching heat, the Blues quickly stunned the Hammers and their supporters, thanks to a double from Nicolas Jackson. On a free-kick quickly taken in midfield, launched on the left side by Jadon Sancho behind Edson Alvarez, the Senegalese striker cut back into the centre and slipped the ball with his right foot between the legs of Alphonse Areola (4th). He doubled the lead less than a quarter of an hour later: launched straight down the centre by Moises Caicedo, impeccably in midfield, Jackson, forgotten by the tortured Alvarez, won his one-on-one with the French keeper with a subtle outside of his right foot (18th).
At the restart, on a textbook counterattack, Chelsea nipped in the bud the Hammers’ comeback ambitions: well served by Jackson, Cole Palmer deceived Areola with a heavy left-footed shot, with the help of the incoming post (47th). The former PSG goalkeeper prevented the defeat from taking on the appearance of a debacle, by interposing himself in front of Noni Madueke (63rd) then firmly pushing away a point-blank header from Christopher Nkunku (75th).
Thanks to this success, Chelsea temporarily climbs to second place, two lengths behind the leader Manchester City, who will host Arsenal on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). West Ham, who are suffering a third defeat in a row on their home turf, remain stuck in 14th place, with 4 points.
Match Fact: West Ham Forgot Penalty
Weighed down by their disastrous start, the Hammers were not helped by the refereeing. They probably should have been awarded a penalty in the 28th minute when Wesley Fofana, caught out by speed, held back Crysencio Summerville with his arm in the Chelsea area.
But referee Samuel Barrott was unmoved. VAR found no fault, ruling that the contact was too fleeting to be punished, much to the dismay of West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, who was booked for dissent.
7
Last season, Chelsea waited until the 7th day to sign their first away victory in the Premier League, at Fulham (2-0).
