Nicolas Jackson's brace helps Chelsea secure a convincing win over struggling West Ham

Nicolas Jackson's confidence continues to soar as he showcased his skills by scoring two crucial goals to lead Chelsea to a dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham United in the English Premier League on September 21st at the London Stadium.

The Senegal striker struck twice in the first half before Cole Palmer wrapped up the Blues’ third win in five league games under new manager Enzo Maresca.

It was a well-timed brace from Jackson, who was Chelsea’s first-choice striker on the day despite Christopher Nkunku’s match-winning impact against Bournemouth last weekend.

“Growing higher with my teammates, they help me a lot and they have confidence in me,” he told TNT Sport.

“I have been injured for two months, I come back fresh and I hope to get more. I am trying to work hard and do more than last year.

“We keep going. This one is finished and next week we go onto another one. The most important thing is for the team to win. I am happy to play always. To fight for the team and the team to win is the most important thing.

Although he signed a contract extension earlier in September that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033, there were calls for Nkunku to start after the French forward came off the bench to net in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

Jackson scored 17 goals in an inconsistent debut season with the Blues and was guilty of missing a number of big chances. But the 23-year-old has been in fine form at the start of this season and already has four goals in six games in all competitions.

Chelsea have won all three away league games this season, losing only once, against champions Manchester City, in their five top-flight matches.

Despite a reported power struggle between Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali behind the scenes, former Leicester boss Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the close-season, has made a strong impression.

After disappointing sixth and 12th-place finishes in the last two seasons, there are encouraging signs that the Italian could be the manager to turn Chelsea’s expensively assembled squad of underachievers into top-four contenders.

Meanwhile, the Hammers’ dismal start to the season has already put new boss Julen Lopetegui under pressure, with the Spaniard jeered by the few frustrated fans who had not left the ground well before the final whistle.

West Ham have won just one of their five Premier League games this term, losing three in a row at home to start a league campaign for the first time.

“We were never in the game which is an awful thing to say,” said captain Jarrod Bowen.

“The goals that they scored were easy on our part – two gifts. You have to be switched on in every moment. On the pitch it felt quite easy to play through (us), a disappointing day all-round.”