'Perfect day' - Jackson after challenging his inner Drogba

Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game during the Premier League match at the London Stadium. Picture date: Saturday September 21, 2024.

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Sep 22, 2024. 15:00

Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson described scoring twice in Saturday’s London Derby clash between West Ham United and Chelsea FC as a ‘perfect day.’

The 23-year-old’s brace after 18 minutes became the quickest by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Ivorian legend Didier Drogba against Middlesbrough in January 2005 (17 minutes) according to Opta Joe.

“I like playing against any opponent when I’m helping the team,” Jackson said on Chelsea’s website.

“That’s the most important thing for me, contributing to the team and as long as I’m doing that then it doesn’t matter about who we are playing against. It was a perfect day for me really. Scoring two goals and helping the team win a big London derby, I’m very happy.”

Jackson, who has now scored four goals in five Premier League matches this season, revealed after the game that becoming more lethal in the final third is something he is working on.

“I think everybody thought I would pass to Cole [Palmer] or Noni [Madueke] who were both in good positions but I saw that the space was opening up for me, so I drove at goal and managed to score,” he explained.

“I was happy with that goal but also the timing of it. Being so early in the game, it meant we could control things and I think we did that. The finish was something I was happy with too.

“I saw the goalkeeper come towards me and I made the decision to put it through his legs and luckily for me, it came off perfectly. I’ve been working hard on that aspect of my game so I’m happy to score two goals and help the team,” he added.

“That gave me confidence for the second goal and I feel stronger with each game after overcoming injury from last season. I feel strong and I’m happy with my performance, but also the performance of the team as a whole.”

Wrapping off a memorable day for the forward was his assist for Palmer, who put the seal on our victory with our third goal.

As soon as he slipped the ball into Palmer, Jackson said he ‘knew instantly’ that last season’s Player of the Year would find the back of the net.

“Yes, I was happy to assist Cole too. I knew he would score once I found him because it’s Cole and we know he’s very ‘cold’ in front of goal,” he concluded.