'Super player': Glenn Hoddle hails Chelsea star after win over West Ham today

05/05/2024 17:15

Chelsea are finally starting to make their dominance count after they thrashed West Ham United on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino has watched his team outplay many teams this season, but with no end result.

Well, days after Chelsea's win over Tottenham, they are now starting to motor after they put five goals past the helpless Hammers and earn another London derby victory.

Surprise, surprise. Cole Palmer was the man who opened the scoring, with Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson (2) also joining the party. 

It certainly eases the pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino as his team keep their European hopes alive.

There is also still a chance that Chelsea can finish in the top six – months ago, it looked like they were heading towards another bottom-half finish.

One man to thank for that is Palmer after he scored goal number 21 of the campaign at Stamford Bridge – his 16th on home soil.

Only Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland has scored more, with Glenn Hoddle labelling Palmer as a 'super player', as he told Premier League Productions (05/05/24 at 2:55 pm).

The West Ham defending was beyond shocking, but their London rivals could only finish off what was in front of them.

Cole Palmer's Premier League goals

"He is a super player, he really is," said Hoddle. "Chelsea have totally dominated and they haven't got out of second gear, let's be fair.

"If you leave this lad (Palmer) in this position unopposed, then he is going to punish you. Look at this defending! Alvarez is worried about Marc Cucurella going into the midfield area when he should be goal side on Palmer. No-one near him. You can't leave this lad. Lovely technique. He goes with his side foot."

Chelsea's top six hunt

Only two points separate Chelsea in seventh and Newcastle United in sixth. Newcastle beat Burnley 4-1 on Saturday.

Next up for Chelsea, an away trip to the Midlands to take on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

READ MORE:Chelsea eye swap deal for £77m striker who has scored 16 goals this season

Before Brighton and Bournemouth will finish off their season. All winnable games and still providing the team with the chance to end the season on a high. 

It’s progress on last season, but it’s still not enough in terms of where Chelsea want to get to.