Mohammed Kudus has expressed admiration for one of Chelsea’s standout players following the Blues’ dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham United. In a match where Chelsea’s attacking prowess was on full display, Nicolas Jackson emerged as a key figure, opening the scoring in the early stages of the game. West Ham’s defense, which was sharply criticized by pundit Michael Dawson on *Soccer Saturday* as being “criminal,” allowed Jackson to slip through with ease. After a quick exchange of passes with Jadon Sancho, Jackson surged forward, unchallenged, and beat West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from a tight angle to put Chelsea in front.
West Ham’s defensive frailties were further exposed shortly afterward. Julen Lopetegui’s side switched off once again, giving Moises Caicedo the space to send a perfectly timed ball through to Jackson, who raced toward goal with confidence. Jackson, calm under pressure, slotted home a well-taken second goal, leaving West Ham in disarray. The Hammers attempted to respond, but their efforts were in vain. A controversial moment unfolded when VAR denied them what seemed to be a clear penalty after Wesley Fofana’s tug on Crysencio Summerville. The decision not to award a penalty left West Ham frustrated, as the incident was deemed to lack “sustained holding.”
Any lingering hopes West Ham had of mounting a comeback were quickly dashed after the break. Chelsea’s ruthless counter-attacking play sliced through West Ham’s defense once again, with Jackson turning provider this time. In a blistering move, Jackson set up Cole Palmer, who hammered home a powerful finish to seal the victory. Chelsea’s relentless pace and precision on the counter-attack left West Ham with little room to breathe, as the Blues dominated every aspect of the match.
Despite West Ham’s defeat, Mohammed Kudus, who was undoubtedly West Ham’s best performer on the day, made a candid admission after the game, specifically praising Chelsea’s left-back Marc Cucurella. Kudus found himself locked in a constant battle with Cucurella throughout the match, and the Ghanaian international was quick to acknowledge his opponent’s strength and tenacity. In an interview after the game, Kudus remarked on Cucurella’s impressive performance, particularly how difficult he found it to get past the Spaniard.
“He plays well; it’s difficult to defeat him one-on-one. He was all on me for the entire game,” Kudus explained, as quoted by *Chelsea247*. He went on to describe how the two had numerous intense clashes on the field, with one tackle in the second half standing out as a particularly tough moment. Kudus’ honest appraisal of Cucurella highlights the Chelsea defender’s determination and resilience, showcasing the level of competition in the Premier League, where even in defeat, opponents recognize the quality of their adversaries.
Kudus’ praise for Cucurella further emphasizes the defensive stability that Chelsea has been working to build under their current management. While Chelsea’s attack often grabs the headlines, performances like Cucurella’s illustrate that their success is also grounded in solid defensive work. For Kudus, facing such a formidable opponent in Cucurella was a challenging experience, but his ability to hold his own despite West Ham’s struggles was a testament to his individual talent.
Ultimately, Chelsea’s commanding performance against West Ham, from Jackson’s clinical finishing to Cucurella’s relentless defensive work, painted a picture of a team growing in confidence and cohesion. For West Ham, while the result was disappointing, the match offered moments of individual brilliance from players like Kudus, who, despite the defeat, can take pride in his personal performance and the respect he earned from a tough Chelsea side.