Premier League

NICOLAS JACKSON stole the show with a brilliant double to sink West Ham in a Chelsea performance with only one negative.The striker was clinical in front of goal and opened the scoring after just four minutes at London Stadium.Nicolas Jackson was the man of the match with two well-taken goalsCredit: PAThe striker showed superb composure to bend in his second with the outside of his footCredit: PACole Palmer celebrated in trademark style after adding a thirdCredit: GettyCaicedo pulled the strings in midfield and had a big hand in two goalsCredit: EPAWest Ham fans left early as Chelsea sealed a comfortable three pointsHe linked well with Jadon Sancho who again looked lively and caused the opposition problems with his trickery.Jackson also showed a good understanding with Moises Caicedo as the pair twice linked up for goals.Caicedo looked more like his £115million price tag and his one-two with Jackson sparked the counter-attack that resulted in Chelsea’s third goal.Jackson got the assist as he found Palmer, who finished clinically past Areola.READ MORE ON CHELSEAChelsea were a threat on the counter throughout and came close to adding a fourth through Nkunku, while their organised defence kept Jarrod Bowen quiet and stopped West Ham from finding a way back into the contest.Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Chelsea display.Robert Sanchez – 6Made a few saves but they were all ones he would be expected to make.One hairy moment in the first half he got away with after missing the ball with an attempted catch.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWesley Fofana – 4Was caught out a couple of times and was fortunate not to concede a first half penalty when he appeared to pull back Crysencio Summerville.The West Ham winger caused him a few problems before both were substituted before the hour mark.Chelsea boss Maresca aims cheeky dig at Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho makes dazzling debut after Man Utd transferTosin Adarabioyo – 8Looked very assured on the floor and in the air, marshalling the backline well alongside Colwill.Booked for a foul on Summerville shortly before half-time.Levi Colwill – 8So commanding on and off the ball and tried to start off attacking moves from the back.Looks at home in the Chelsea defence and could make the left-side centre-back position his own this campaign.Marc Cucurella – 7Calm on the ball and did well against a tricky customer in Mohammed Kudus, although the winger did get in behind on a couple of occasions.Booked for a cynical foul on Kudus as he attempted to counter-attack.Moises Caicedo – 8Produced the assist for Jackson’s second goal with a beautifully weighted through ball and linked well with the striker in the build-up to Chelsea’s third.Rarely gave the ball away and kept things ticking over while protecting the backline.Enzo Fernandez – 6A quiet match which was mostly spent trying to keep West Ham at bay after Chelsea took an early lead.Did not do a lot wrong but Caicedo was definitely the better of the two in the middle.Noni Madueke – 6Glimpses of quality but was a little quiet as Chelsea did not see too much of the ball except on the break, until the closing stages.Had one effort on goal which was well saved at the near post.Cole Palmer – 8Was quiet in the first half although did flash a chance inches wide. That allowed him to get his sights in as with his next chance he fired in off the post to make the score 3-0.Jadon Sancho – 7Looked lively once again with another assist and some clever touches in the opposition box which helped him set up a few shooting chances for team-mates.Nicolas Jackson – 10A clinical display from the Blues frontman with two well-taken goals early on to put his side in the ascendency.Was superb again for Chelsea’s third as he orchestrated a counter-attack before slipping in Palmer to score.SubsPedro Neto (for Sancho, 57 mins) – 6Some nice touches to create chances, which helped keep the Blues on top.Axel Disasi (for Fofana, 57 mins) – 7Shored up the Chelsea right-hand side and West Ham lost a lot of impetus once he came on.Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson, 64mins) – 6Should have scored with a header but in fairness Areola produced a brilliant stop to keep it out.READ MORE SUN STORIESJoao Felix (for Palmer, 64 mins) – 6Had one effort on goal that hit the side netting but was otherwise not involved enough.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (for Fernandez, 84 mins) – 6Kept the ball but came on with the game fading as West Ham had given up. More

NICOLAS JACKSON enjoyed a Thriller with a starring role in Chelsea’s rout of West Ham.Striker Jacko celebrated his goals with a Michael Jackson-style dance as the Blues danced all over the abject Hammers.Nicolas Jackson fired Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over West Ham at the London StadiumCredit: GettyThe Blues striker scored twice during the opening 18 minutes in East LondonCredit: PACole Palmer added a third for the visitors just minutes into the second halfCredit: ReutersThe thumping win – Chelsea’s first since 2021 in East London – lifted them into second place in the Premier League table as the first top flight game of the weekend.Even warring Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were smiling as they were pictured together for the first time since news emerged of a boardroom split.The chairman and co-controlling owner are trying to remain on good terms as they try to buy each other out following a breakdown in their professional relationship.On the pitch, Jackson’s imitation of his Pop idol namesake was a poor one.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut there was nothing second rate about his finishes as West Ham were blown away before half time and condemned to a third successive home defeat under new boss Julen Lopetegui.Jackson struck first after less than four minutes following a quick one-two with new signing Jadon Sancho on the left flank.He then left West Ham’s defence for dead as he raced towards goal and planted a shot through the legs of keeper Alphonse Areola.The £32 million forward made it two on 18 minutes when again he was given too much space by sluggish defending to race through and prod a shot into the bottom of the net.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe now has four goals in two games against their hopeless London neighbours and while Chelsea are celebrating back-to-back away wins under new boss Enzo Maresca, things are looking grim for West Ham.They have played five Premier League games and won only one, conceding eight goals in three matches on their own patch in the process. I was a paramedic before falling into football while backpacking – now I’m about to face ex-Chelsea star Hernan CrespoJackson was involved in all three of Chelsea’s goals as he ran the show for the visitorsCredit: ReutersThis time last season they had ten points under unpopular boss David Moyes, compared to four this term.And Lopetegui was forced to admit a tactical error in his gameplan by substituting midfielder Guido Rodriguez after only 37 minutes with his side under the cosh.Even then Cole Palmer ended any hopes of a home side comeback following the reshuffle when he thumped in Chelsea’s third from a breakaway just three minutes into the second half.Hammers keeper Areola had to make a one-handed save to stop the game becoming a rout with a one handed save from sub Chris Nkunku 15 minutes from time.Former West Ham assistant manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Manuel Pellegrini in 2018, could not have asked for a warmer welcome back to his old club.Palmer’s second goal of the season killed the game off for ChelseaCredit: Reuters More

CHELSEA fans have demanded Nicolas Jackson “explain” his hilarious goal celebration in their 3-0 win over West Ham.The Blues striker opened the scoring after just four minutes at the London Stadium.Chelsea fans have called for Nicolas Jackson to explain his hilarious goal celebrationCredit: Premier LeagueJackson opened the scoring against West Ham after just four minutesCredit: RexJackson raced clear down the left before forcing his way into the box and slipping the ball between Alphonse Areola’s legs.After being mobbed by his Chelsea team-mates, the Senegal international faced the camera to reveal his new dance routine.Channelling his inner Michael Jackson, he raised his arms and moved side to side with his own ‘Thriller’ dance.The King of Pop first showed off the iconic routine in the music video for his 1983 hit of the same name.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSeen by many as the greatest music video of all-time, it features the singer turning into a zombie and dancing with a horde of the creatures.Fans were left stunned on social media, with one commenting: “Jackson has to explain that celebration.”Another added: “Jackson doing the ‘Thriller’ celebration for his goal. I love this guy.”A third supporter even called for it to be added to EA FC25, writing: “Jackson calmly dropping that ‘Thriller’ celebration. @EA better take notes.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMeanwhile, one more also asked: “Nicolas Jackson just bagged again for Chelsea and dropped the ‘Thriller’ celebration… Is it time to have a conversation?”Jackson’s opener was his third of the season following strikes against Wolves and Crystal Palace already this term. I was a paramedic before falling into football while backpacking – now I’m about to face ex-Chelsea star Hernan CrespoMichael Jackson immortalised the Thriller dance in the music video for his 1983 singleCredit: YouTube / Michael JacksonHis afternoon got even better inside the first 20 minutes as he beat Areola once again to double Chelsea’s lead.The strike put him within touching distance of his second hat-trick for the club.He previously promised to recreate Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration next time he scored a treble for the Blues.Jackson emulated the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after clinching the match ball against Tottenham in November last year.The 23-year-old also had a hand in his side’s third goal as he set up Cole Palmer to add to the scoring in the second half.Jackson doubled Chelsea’s lead with his second goal of the matchCredit: PA More

GARY NEVILLE has handed Arsenal a brutal warning ahead of their trip to Manchester City.The former Manchester United defender has told the Gunners what they must do to avoid being “dismissed as nearly men”.Gary Neville has warned Arsenal what they must do to avoid being ‘dismissed as nearly men’Credit: GettyMikel Arteta’s side are at risk of being forgotten about, according to NevilleCredit: RexMikel Arteta’s side have established themselves as title challengers across the last two seasons.His team have pushed City all the way in successive campaigns with back-to-back second place finishes.However, Arsenal have not won a trophy since their FA Cup victory in 2020.The Gunners face an early test of their credentials this season away to the champions on Sunday.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSAhead of the match, Neville has explained what they must do to avoid being forgotten.Writing in his Overlap newsletter, he said: “If this superb Arsenal team doesn’t win the Premier League or the Champions League then they can forget about going down in history.”That’s harsh but the reality of elite sport. No one will fondly recall the magnificence of William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, the brilliance of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, David Raya’s extraordinary saves or the incision of Bukayo Saka up front.”There will be no Netflix documentaries. They will never be feted or admired. They will be dismissed as nearly men.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”History is unforgiving of those who fall just short. And that’s why, for all the excellent work they’ve done in the past two years, there is still a step to take.”We’re too early in the season to describe Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad as a title decider.Mikel Arteta leaves fans in shock as he speaks fluently in new language despite never having lived or worked in countryThe Gunners narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City again last seasonCredit: AFP”Yet Arsenal need a statement win because they need to damage Manchester City and to demonstrate to themselves that they are the team of the moment.”Arsenal go into Sunday’s meeting unbeaten in three against City, a run which dates back to April 2023.It also includes a home win and their Community Shield triumph last term.Arteta will also be boosted by the return of Declan Rice to his side from suspension.However, he remains without captain Martin Odegaard and summer signing Mikel Merino through injury.Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three meetings with City across all competitionsCredit: Sunday Times More