Chelsea final three Premier League fixtures compared to Newcastle and Man United after West Ham
Chelsea followed up what Mauricio Pochettino described as the game that made him happiest since arriving with another performance just as pleasing. Coming off the back of beating Tottenham 2-0 on Thursday with 14 players out injured, it was another positive showing from the Blues on Sunday.
First-half goals from Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Conor Gallagher put West Ham out of sight before Nicolas Jackson added two after the break. David Moyes' side did hit the woodwork three times — Jarrod Bowen on each occasion — but those chances came largely in-between being split open by a rampant Chelsea attack.
It comes just two weeks after the Blues put six past Everton at Stamford Bridge as well, making it 29 goals in the last eight home games. They have now only been beaten once in the last 12 league games as well.
More importantly, it ramps up the pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United in the race for a top-six finish. It's now three teams fighting for just the one sport certain of getting Europa League football, and very little to split them.
Eddie Howe's men hammered Burnley 5-1 on Saturday to move above Manchester United, who play on Monday against Crystal Palace. Chelsea also ensured that Erik ten Hag's men would have to get a result in order to climb up the table.
With England missing out of the fifth Champions League place it means that the equation is simple. If Manchester City win the FA Cup then sixth place will qualify for the Europa League. However, if United were to drop out of the top six and then win the cup instead, sixth would only be enough for a Conference League spot.
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