Chelsea smash five past woeful West Ham to maintain push for European spot

Chelsea produced a five-star performance to smash a woeful West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the Blues continued their push for a European spot.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were three up at half-time thanks to goals from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke, while a double from Nicolas Jackson after the break completed a 5-0 London derby battering.

The victory came just three days after Chelsea had dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in another capital clash at home and their latest win moved them above Manchester United on goal difference and up to seventh in the Premier League.

They are also now just two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United with three games left to play to this season – against Nottingham Forest and Brighton away, followed by Bournemouth at home on the final day of the campaign.

“I'm so happy for the players and staff,” said Pochettino, who has admitted the decision on whether he remains in charge next season is out of his hands. “After the victory against Tottenham and to come back again after a few days is very good.

“It was a brilliant game, it was amazing. They reacted in the right way. I was so happy how we competed on Thursday and we have talented players to create chances and score goals.

“I wasn't relaxed in the dugout, I wanted to keep a clean sheet. West Ham are a powerful team on set-pieces and we needed some luck. It was important not just to win the game but also get the clean sheet.”

30 - One day before his 22nd birthday, Cole Palmer has become only the third player in Premier League history to reach 30+ goal involvements in a single season while aged 21 or younger (21 goals, 9 assists), after Robbie Fowler (94-95 & 95-96) and Chris Sutton (93-94). Prodigy.