Cole Palmer has scored 10 goals in his last five appearances at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea strengthened their chances of securing European football next season, cruising to victory against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
It took just 15 minutes for Chelsea to get their noses in front with Cole Palmer reacting quickest to meet a loose ball in the West Ham box.
West Ham almost hit back immediately when Jarrod Bowen's header crashed back off the crossbar, but it was one-way traffic from then on.
Chelsea doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through Conor Gallagher before Noni Madueke headed in the third six minutes later.
Nicolas Jackson struck twice in the second half to round off a wholly positive afternoon for the Blues.
With just three games left to play, Chelsea's season seems to be heading for a strong finish as they have climbed up to seventh and sit just two points shy of sixth-placed Newcastle, while West Ham, who have two games remaining, stay ninth.
Moyes 'really sorry' for West Ham display at Chelsea
How did you rate Chelsea's performance? Have your say here
What did you make of West Ham's display? Send us your views here
Follow live text coverage of Sunday's Premier League action
This video can not be played
Chelsea must 'keep this momentum and belief going' – Pochettino
After a rocky first season under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea are starting to click and European football could still be on the agenda for next season if they keep up this momentum.
The Blues have won nine of their past 11 home Premier League outings and they are now on a four-game winning streak at Stamford Bridge, having beaten Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and now West Ham.
They seem to be playing with greater confidence and it bodes well for the next term.
An assured finish into the the bottom right corner from Palmer set Chelsea on their way, taking his tally in the league to 21.
Captain Gallagher's strike was equally as impressive as he volleyed emphatically across the target to leave Alphonse Areola rooted to the spot.
The game was pretty much over as a contest by the 36th-minute when Madueke found space in the six-yard box to turn in Thiago Silva's knockdown.
Jackson further tightened Chelsea's grip on all three points shortly after half-time and he showed great composure when rolling in the fifth after beating the offside trap late on.
Chelsea were not asked too many questions defensively but Pochettino will also be pleased to see his side record back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time since February 2023.
This video can not be played
West Ham "did a lot of things wrong" at Chelsea – Moyes
West Ham's confidence looks shot as their season draws to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
The Hammers have won just one of their past 10 games across all competitions, losing five, and are on course to miss out on a fourth successive season in Europe.
They have conceded 70 goals this season, including shipping five goals on four separate occasions, with only bottom three clubs Burnley (74), Luton (78) and Sheffield United (100) with a worse defensive record.
Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui held talks with West Ham about replacing David Moyes this week and a second successive heavy defeat on the road, having lost 5-2 at Crystal Palace on 21 April, leaves the Scot in an even more precarious position.
Bowen was the only positive for West Ham on a miserable day for the visitors, hitting the crossbar on three occasions.
Despite conceding early in the second period, West Ham did pose slightly more threat after the restart with Emerson firing over the bar and half-time substitute James Ward-Prowse forcing a save out of Djordje Petrovic.
The result extends Moyes' terrible record when visiting Chelsea as a manager, failing to win any of his 19 trips – losing 12 and drawing seven.
Premier League official site
Comments can not be loaded
To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser
Euro 2025 qualifier: England face France in Saint-Etienne – live text
French Open: Alcaraz v Tsitsipas for place in semi-finals – live text
Injured Djokovic withdraws from French Open
Twelve days that changed Wayne Rooney’s life forever
The star footballer reflects on the highs and lows of the career-defining 2004 Euro tournament
One of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders
Viv Graham's death continues to cast a long shadow over the family he left behind
What could have happened to the Cryptoqueen?
Panorama investigates the theories behind Dr Ruja Ignatova's mysterious disappearance
Discovering the importance of having compassion
Learn research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life
Ronaldo? Mbappe? McTominay? Who will be Euro 2024 top scorer?
Southgate 'spinning plates' before Euros selection
Scotland's Jones smashes solar panel with huge six. Video
How ex-Arsenal defender Sylvinho became Albanian hero
Watch the goals as Thomas-inspired Scotland hammer Israel. Video
'A next step to the elite' – inside Maresca's move to Chelsea
'It was almost sheer disbelief we did it with him on the bag'
'Beacon of hope' – Sinfield's tribute to friend Burrow
'Tennis finishing at 3am is unhealthy'
England's Welsh Mancunian brought up in Barbados
Southgate's 'secret weapon'? – Palmer's rise to England hopeful
Real Madrid high-wire act brings Champions League glory again
'We want to bring our culture' – Uganda prepare for World Cup debut
American Dream puts the world into World Cup
GB's Hudson-Smith smashes European 400m record in Oslo. Video
Madrid, Mbappe and a mission of a lifetime
Italy's oldest club, where tradition meets ambition
'We have Pele here' – when Wenger tried to sign Mbappe. Video
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
20
add a comment