Chelsea player ratings vs West Ham: Europe beckons for the Blues! Cole Palmer puts Irons to the sword as Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson also impress to keep top-six hopes alive

Cole Palmer played a pivotal role as Chelsea significantly bolstered their chances of qualifying for European competition next season with a dominant 5-0 victory over a lackluster West Ham on Sunday. This win at Stamford Bridge comes as welcome news for manager Mauricio Pochettino, showcasing several standout performances from his team.

Palmer not only started the scoring in this West London clash but also made Premier League history by becoming only the third player aged 21 or younger to record over 30 goal involvements in a single season—achieving 21 goals and nine assists. Following his opener, Conor Gallagher impressed with a beautifully executed strike to double Chelsea’s lead. The energy continued with Noni Madueke scoring the third goal just 35 minutes into the match, setting the tone for a commanding performance.

West Ham, on the other hand, found little to celebrate, with Jarrod Bowen hitting the woodwork twice in the first half. Despite these efforts, David Moyes’ team was significantly outplayed, and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson added insult to injury with two goals after halftime, propelling Chelsea to seventh in the league standings, just two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle.

The player ratings from the match highlight several strong individual performances:

**Goalkeeper & Defense**
– **Djordje Petrovic (6/10)**: Although he narrowly avoided conceding a goal after a handling error, he redeemed himself with a notable save from a free-kick.
– **Trevoh Chalobah (7/10)**: Solid defensively and more offensive than his peers, notably assisting in Madueke’s goal.
– **Thiago Silva (8/10)**: His reliable passing and defensive leaps continue to impress, contributing significantly just before halftime.
– **Benoit Badiashile (6/10)**: Showed good defensive awareness, though occasionally loose with possession.
– **Marc Cucurella (6/10)**: Proactive in attack but penalized for a tactical foul.

**Midfield**
– **Moises Caicedo (7/10)**: Demonstrated strong ball retention and provided a rare assist.
– **Conor Gallagher (8/10)**: Scored a spectacular volley, his season’s best, and was a continuous threat throughout the game, making a strong case against any potential summer transfer.

**Attack**
– **Noni Madueke (8/10)**: Had one of his most impactful games, scoring and assisting, applauded warmly on his substitution.
– **Cole Palmer (8/10)**: His early goal marked an outstanding debut season, proving crucial for Chelsea’s European ambitions.
– **Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10)**: Struggled to make a significant impact, eventually substituted.
– **Nicolas Jackson (8/10)**: After an initial save on his shot, he played a part in the opening goal and added two more in the second half.

**Subs & Manager**
– **Mauricio Pochettino (8/10)**: Despite a delayed team cohesion, Pochettino’s management is showing signs of progress, with strong offensive play moving Chelsea closer to a European spot.

Chelsea’s comprehensive win, marked by impressive individual performances and tactical acumen from Pochettino, signals a promising shift as they aim for European qualification.