Chelsea vs West Ham - LIVE!

Chelsea made it two London derby wins in the space of a few days as they hammered West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson netting a brace. After easing past Tottenham on Thursday night, the Blues enjoyed an even more comfortable afternoon in west London this time, with victory effectively wrapped up inside the opening 45 minutes.

Cole Palmer opened the scoring with his 21st Premier League goal of the season, before captain Conor Gallagher doubled the lead with a sharp volley into the bottom corner. The lead was three before half-time, as Thiago Silva, back from injury, nodded the ball back across goal from a corner, and Noni Madueke was on hand to turn it home. Chelsea picked up from where they left off after the break, as Madueke squared the ball to leave Jackson a tap-in within three minutes of the restart.

The rest of the match was largely played at walking pace, with Jarrod Bowen West Ham’s only hope of a consolation goal. He hit the bar twice in the first-half and made it a hat-trick in front of the away fans that were left, when his deflected strike looped up against the woodwork. Jackson added his second, and Chelsea’s fifth, with ten minutes remaining, having initially been denied by an offside flag. He was played through by Moises Caicedo and beat Alphonse Areola with a finish that eventually stood as a goal, after VAR found Kurt Zouma had been playing him on.

Chelsea vs West Ham latest news

• GOAL! Jackson extends rout after restart

• GOAL! Madueke adds third before half-time

• GOAL! Gallagher volleys into bottom corner

• GOAL! Palmer fires Chelsea into early lead

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16:30 , Matt Verri

Chelsea are now playing their best football of the season, and the question is whether this will strengthen Mauricio Pochettino’s position as manager.

After the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal, the Argentine faced renewed conversations about his long-term suitability for the role at Stamford Bridge.

But since then, a 5-0 win at home to West Ham represents redemption after a dominant 2-0 victory against Tottenham on Thursday night.

Goals from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and two from Nicolas Jackson have boosted Pochettino’s authority and Chelsea’s hopes of European qualification.

Click here for the full story!

Chelsea ratings

16:08 , Matt Verri

Moises Caicedo – 8

One half of Chelsea’s current preferred double pivot, and working neatly in tandem with skipper Conor Gallagher. The Ecuador star’s calmness on the ball and positional sense has proved a feature of Chelsea’s two derby wins this week.

Conor Gallagher – 8

The other half of that deep-lying axis with Caicedo, that has added both steel and fluency to Chelsea’s approach. Maybe Pochettino finally has a framework from which to build in west London. Blasted a captain’s goal too with a well-weighted volley.

Cole Palmer - 9

Becoming just the third 21-year-old to pass 30 goal involvements in a Premier League season speaks volumes on his immediate talismanic status. Set this rout rolling with another fine finish in an exceptional campaign and was excellent throughout.

Read the ratings in full here!

FT: Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:55 , Matt Verri

That will do it at Stamford Bridge.

Another derby win for Chelsea, who swat West Ham aside to move up to seventh in the table.

The Blues are finally clicking into gear!

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:53 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Both sides want this match done now.

Chelsea haven’t been particularly ruthless this half - could probably have had seven or eight - but Pochettino won’t be too bothered.

A superb performance from his side.

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:50 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Five minutes added on.

West Ham can be grateful, should probably be seven or eight with the stoppages we’ve had.

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:49 , Matt Verri

89 mins: One final Chelsea change.

Palmer is off, having strolled around for the last hour or so. Only surprise is that he’s only scored once.

Gilchrist on for the final few minutes.

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:45 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Kudus onto his left foot, drills a low effort towards the bottom corner. Petrovic turns it behind.

Good to keep him awake.

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

15:42 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Disasi makes his return from injury, as Silva gets a huge ovation.

Gusto on too, replacing Diasi.

GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 West Ham | Nicolas Jackson 81'

15:40 , Matt Verri

GIVEN!

Jackson played on by Zouma and he has his second.

GOOO... OFFSIDE!

15:40 , Matt Verri

Jackson thinks he has made it 5-0, but the flag is up.

Caicedo played the pass through, with Jackson finishing well. Very tight.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:39 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Off the bar... again!

A hat-trick of sorts for Bowen, who sees his deflected strike bobble up and hit the woodwork.

He throws his arms up in disgust.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:38 , Matt Verri

78 mins: West Ham seeing more of the ball now, mainly because Chelsea are letting it happen.

The Blues have been able to completely take their foot off the gas in the second half.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

15:36 , Matt Verri

Christopher Nkunku is about to mark his return for Chelsea. He has been out for over two months and comes on for Noni Madueke.

Lucas Paqueta comes off injured for Aaron Cresswell to compound West Ham's misery. From bad to worse for David Moyes.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:35 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Paqueta has decided he’s fed up of watching Chelsea walk around him, gone down off the ball.

The Blues turn to the bench - Nkunku is back! He replaces Mudryk, with Casadei also on. Madueke off.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:32 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Should be 5-0!

Glorious pass from Palmer, sets Mudryk in on goal but he blasts an effort straight at Areola.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:31 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Kudus continues his solo mission to make something happen, this time fouled 30 yards out by Caicedo.

Ward-Prowse tries his luck, whipped wide.

West Ham make another change - Antonio off, Ings on. Best of lucky, Danny.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:28 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Nice footwork from Kudus to beat a couple of Chelsea players, but his cross is then clipped straight to Petrovic.

And now we’re back to the walking football.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:26 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Everything going down the right for Madueke.

He is beating Emerson at will, this time going on the inside and forcing Areola into a decent save. Corner Chelsea.

Palmer takes it short, then clips it in. A mess in the middle, before Paqueta eventually hacks it clear.

And now West Ham break, Antonio takes a big old swipe at the ball. Deflected behind.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:24 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Madueke strolls past Emerson, past Ward-Prowse and lays it off to Palmer.

He’s unmarked on the edge of the area, tries to find the bottom corner but it’s comfortable for Areola.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:22 , Matt Verri

62 mins: It feels like about five minutes since West Ham last had a touch.

Madueke with a couple of blocked efforts, before he lays it off to Jackson.

Ogbonna deflects that effort behind. West Ham have given up.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

15:20 , Matt Verri

This has become a real non-event.

It's almost like watching Manchester City dominate lesser opposition, such is Chelsea's comfort when retaining possession and their security over keeping their lead.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:19 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Long, long spell of Chelsea possession. West Ham just walking around.

Blues could keep the ball for the rest of the match if they wanted to.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Ironic cheers greeting every West Ham pass. Chelsea have dropped off a bit, it’s been so easy for them it was inevitable.

Ward-Prowse brought down just outside the area. Can be sure he will take this.

Goes for goal, finally a shot on target. Petrovic tips it over.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:13 , Matt Verri

53 mins: And that sums it up.

Emerson clean through, only Petrovic to beat, six yards out... can’t hit the target.

Blasted over the bar.

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:12 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Long-throw from Coufal, very much lacking in the long department. Gallagher clears.

West Ham enjoying a slightly better spell. That is the lowest of low bars, though.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

15:10 , Matt Verri

Noni Madueke puts that penalty row with Nicolas Jackson firmly to bed by squaring him the ball to tap in from two yards out.

They have both reacted impressively to criticism of those embarrassing scenes.

West Ham supporters are chanting "we're f***ing sh**".”

Chelsea 4-0 West Ham

15:09 , Matt Verri

49 mins: It is crazy how bad West Ham look at the back.

Mudryk the latest to stroll through the defence, shot from the edge of the area is well saved by Areola.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

15:08 , Matt Verri

West Ham look absolutely gone. We're firmly in ‘could be anything’ territory and there's still pretty much a whole half of football to be played.

The away end has half-emptied.

GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 West Ham | Nicolas Jackson 48'

15:08 , Matt Verri

And it’s four!

West Ham are not going to improve, it would appear.

Ball straight over the top, Madueke is clean through. Squares it for Jackson, who is left with a tap-in.

Back underway!

15:05 , Matt Verri

Up and running for the second-half.

A West Ham change at the break - Ward-Prowse is on for Alvarez.

First-half stats

14:57 , Matt Verri

Chelsea have had 15 shots, seven on target. Could easily have scored four or five already.

West Ham yet to have a single effort on target, in what has been a fairly miserable showing.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:53 , Matt Verri

What a half from Chelsea. They've blown West Ham away.

It's weirdly coming together in the final stages of the Premier League season.

Jarrod Bowen aside, West Ham seem on the beach and ready for a new manager.

HT: Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:50 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Chelsea utterly dominant, in total control thanks to goals from Palmer, Gallagher and Madueke.

West Ham have twice been denied by the woodwork, but they have been a shambles defensively.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:49 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: That’s... not particularly subtle.

Chelsea look to break, Paqueta rugby tackles Cucurella and at the same time kicks him. Yellow card.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:47 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Emerson booked, after bringing down Madueke just outside the area. Palmer very, very interested in this - perfect position for him.

For once, it’s bang average. Straight into the wall.

Three minutes added on.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:46 , Matt Verri

44 mins: The Hammers hit the bar for a second time.

Coufal stands up a cross, Petrovic completely flaps at it. Drops for Bowen, smacks a volley off the woodwork.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:44 , Matt Verri

43 mins: A West Ham attack!

Soucek bundles his way to the edge of the box, where he then gets a shot away. Silva blocks.

Paqueta tries to keep the visitors on the attack, plays the ball straight out of play.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:43 , Matt Verri

It was Mauricio Pochettino who said of his Chelsea team a few weeks back that when they're bad, they're really bad.

But you could say the same about West Ham.

Over the course of the last two seasons, there've been a worrying number of games like this when they've not just been beaten but been absolutely battered.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:41 , Matt Verri

39 mins: And now Palmer pounces on a loose pass, Chelsea are away again.

Slides in Gallagher, takes too long to do anything and then flops to the ground in the area. No chance of getting a penalty for that.

Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

14:40 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Off the bar - what a miss!

This is ridiculously bad from West Ham. Palmer skips away from Emerson, fires the ball across the face of goal and Gallagher, from about two yards out, volleys against the bar.

Had to score.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:38 , Matt Verri

Stamford Bridge are up on their feet in unison chanting after the third goal.

It's almost a response to suddenly realising that something has clicked for Mauricio Pochettino's team.

Could it be that Chelsea are actually now good?

GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 West Ham | Noni Madueke 36'

14:37 , Matt Verri

Madueke’s strike from distance deflects, just wide. Corner.

Swung to the back post, Silva with a free header and he nods across goal, where Madueke turns it in from close range.

Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

14:36 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Jackson turns Ogbonna, West Ham man just drags him back. Yellow card.

The Hammers playing like a side that need half-time. And full-time. And the end of the season.

Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

14:34 , Matt Verri

33 mins: It’s all so, so easy for Chelsea. West Ham a mile off it.

Palmer again has the middle of the pitch to himself, slides a pass out to Madueke. Onto his left foot, tame effort saved by Areola.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:33 , Matt Verri

Conor Gallagher impressively adds a second with a first-time volley from a second ball in shades of Frank Lampard.

Those goals are very un-Chelsea but they will be delighted to add another dimension to their attack.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:33 , Matt Verri

Not a dissimilar goal to the opener from a defensive point of view.

Again, a loose ball after Zouma's attempted challenge that a Chelsea player has pounced on unopposed. Cracking finish, mind.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 West Ham | Conor Gallagher 30'

14:31 , Matt Verri

And there is the second!

Palmer fires a pass into the path of Madueke, it bobbles up for Gallagher in the box and he volleys low into the far corner.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:30 , Matt Verri

28 mins: West Ham are just walking around out of possession, not a care in the world.

No interest in closing down Palmer, who has space to try his luck from 25 yards out. Wild effort in the end, well over the bar.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:29 , Matt Verri

David Moyes is having kittens here.

West Ham just pushed Ogbonna forward for a long-throw, then took it short and made a meal of it and almost conceded on the break.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:27 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Antonio lines up to take a long throw, goes short instead and immediately loses it.

Chelsea break, Madueke picks out Jackson. Moves into the box, fires an effort straight at Areola from a tight angle.

Some season for Palmer!

14:26 , Matt Verri

This is one signing that certainly has worked out for the Blues.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:25 , Matt Verri

One-way traffic at the Bridge at the moment.

West Ham can't get any sort of foothold in the midfield - another day when their lack of a proper controlling, ball-player in there who can take possession under pressure is telling.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:25 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Palmer very nearly picks out Jackson in the middle, Zouma does well to flick it away. Corner Chelsea.

Mudryk takes it, comes back out to Palmer and his ball in is headed behind for another corner by Soucek.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:23 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Chelsea look really sharp now, one-touch passing is opening West Ham up.

Silva drifts forward, plays a cross to the back post and Jackson can’t quite direct his header.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:21 , Matt Verri

19 mins: End-to-end feel to this match.

Madueke’s deflected effort flies over the bar, and Chalobah is then denied from the resulting corner.

A miracle if this finishes 1-0.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:19 , Matt Verri

Cole Palmer becomes only the seventh player to score or assist against 14 different Premier League teams in a season.

That’s his 21st league goal and his eighth match-opening goal for Chelsea.

Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

14:18 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Off the bar!

West Ham nearly level. Corner swung in, Bowen gets across Cucurella and his header thumps back off the woodwork.

Chelsea very fortunate.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:17 , Matt Verri

West Ham's defensive frailties surface again. Ogbonna slips, Zouma isn't strong enough against Jackson and no one reacts as decisively as Cole Palmer.

Now 16 games without a clean sheet in the league for the Hammers.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 West Ham | Cole Palmer 15'

14:16 , Matt Verri

Of course!

Ball into the middle, Jackson is crowded out as he tries to volley in, but it drops for Palmer and he guides a first-time finish past Areola.

Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

14:12 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Chelsea take a clever free-kick, Jackson makes the run down the side of the West Ham defence. Ball into the middle is turned behind for a corner by Areola.

Palmer swings it in, Zouma up in his own six-yard box to head clear. Blues haven’t really got going in attack yet.

Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

14:10 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Cucurella tucking into midfield, he plays it out to Madueke.

West Ham leave him one-on-one with Emerson, Chelsea man runs straight at him but the left-back is up to the task. Well defended.

Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

14:07 , Matt Verri

6 mins: First sign of West Ham getting forward, lovely reverse pass from Paqueta and Kudus is in behind. Silva can only concede a corner.

Bowen to the near post, Chelsea just about clear. Comes back to Bowen, Jackson of all people out to rob him of the ball.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:06 , Matt Verri

West Ham fans are also singing “a billion pounds and you've won f**k all'” at Chelsea.

Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge

14:06 , Matt Verri

There's a flag in the away end that reads "Moysie, thank you 3 years in Europe and champions".

Not brilliantly phrased, but nice sentiment.

Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

14:05 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Driving run from Caicedo, really powerful and he slides a pass through to Jackson. Can’t take it in his path, otherwise he would have been in.

Alvarez then gets across to slide in and halt Mudryk’s progress.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:04 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino just celebrated a Benoit Badiashile front-footed tackle with a fist pump.

He wants his team to "compete" better. There were some positive signs versus Tottenham.

Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

14:03 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Fairly low-key opening couple of minutes. Chelsea dominating the ball, West Ham happy to sit off and let them have it.

Visitors will carry a real threat on the counter, as ever.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

14:01 , Matt Verri

Big cheers for Thiago Silva ahead of kick-off as Chelsea announcer Lee Parker pays special tribute following the news that the Brazilian is leaving the club.

KICK-OFF!

14:00 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running!

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

13:57 , Matt Verri

Hammers eyeing a double over Chelsea!

Here we go...

13:55 , Matt Verri

Teams will be in the tunnel any minute.

Perfect afternoon in west London, two teams who really need to win to keep up their hopes of European qualification.

Bring on the goals.

Moyes looks to break duck

13:51 , Matt Verri

This is David Moyes’ 19th trip to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League manager.

He’s drawn seven of them, lost 11. The maths geniuses among you will have worked out that means he has never won at this ground.

Now would be a pretty good time to get off the mark.

Golden Boot race over?

13:43 , Matt Verri

There was talk about Cole Palmer potentially winning the Golden Boot, but Erling Haaland decided enough was enough yesterday.

The Man City striker scored four against Wolves, taking his tally for the season in the Premier League to 25.

Cole Palmer sits alongside Alexander Isak on 20 - the Chelsea man needs a big afternoon to get back within touching distance!

Pochettino calls for Chelsea focus

13:34 , Matt Verri

Chelsea's run-in is against clubs sitting below them in the table.

After today’s clash with West Ham, Chelsea face Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth to finish their season.

Mauricio Pochettino has warned his players to keep total focus, warning they cannot afford to drop from the level of performance produce against Tottenham.

"These are the most dangerous games, because now it's about keeping the same mentality," the Chelsea boss said.

Head-to-head record...

13:27 , Matt Verri

West Ham won 3-1 when these sides met back in August at the London Stadium, with David Moyes’ side enjoying plenty of success against Chelsea on home soil.

Less positive news at Stamford Bridge though. where the Hammers have won once since 2002.

Contract decisions on hold

13:18 , Matt Verri

Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna are yet to be offered new West Ham deals as the club wait to resolve their uncertain managerial situation.

The veteran defenders are each due to be out of contract this summer but it is thought that both would be open to the offer of an extension.

Whether that arrives, however, will depend on who is in the dugout, with David Moyes’s own deal set to expire at the end of the campaign.

No final decision has yet been made over the Scot’s future but the hunt for a potential successor is already underway amid a growing expectation he will leave the club this summer.

Cresswell is West Ham’s longest serving player having joined from Ipswich almost a decade ago.

There have been recent suggestions that the 34-year-old has already turned down a new 12-month deal but Standard Sport understands that is not the case.

Read more on that here!

Hammers without defensive duo

13:12 , Matt Verri

West Ham are without Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos this afternoon.

No real surprises in that side though. Jarrod Bowen again fit to start, with Michail Antonio leading the line.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

13:07 , Matt Verri

Chelsea welcome Thiago Silva back to the starting line up in a major boost as the injury crisis significantly eases.

Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling return to the bench.

That injury list goes down from 14 players to eight.

West Ham team news

13:03 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna. Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio

Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Ward-Prowse, Cornet, Ings, Earthy, Casey, Mubama

Chelsea team news

13:03 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Petrovic; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson

Subs: Bettinelli, Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Gilchrist, Casadei, Sterling, Nkunku, Deivid

Chelsea in the building!

12:56 , Matt Verri

The Blues have arrived at Stamford Bridge.

All the team news coming up in the next five minutes or so. Stand by.

Moyes explains Steidten decision

12:49 , Matt Verri

David Moyes insists there has been no falling out between him and West Ham technical director Tim Steidten, but warned: ‘Every manager has their boundaries'.

Steidten has been asked to stay away from Moyes and his first-team squad for the rest of the season while he leads the search for a potential successor.

“We don’t want any distractions, we keep our eye on the ball,” Moyes said. “Tim’s got his job to do, I’ve got my job to do. We’ve got three games to play and we want to keep focused on those.

“We’re just going about our jobs. My job is to win the games and I’ll do everything I can to do that.”

The German has been a visible presence around the club on match days this season but when asked whether there had been friction between the pair Moyes added: “No, not at all.

“I’ve said before that Tim has his job to do but managers have their boundaries and I have my boundaries.”

Pochettino: No more stupid rumours

12:41 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino admitted he remains in the dark on his future at Chelsea.

The Argentine insisted no news must be interpreted as good news on revealing no one from Chelsea's board has spoken to him about plans for next term and hit out at "stupid rumours" that the hierarchy is yet to decide whether to back him to remain at the helm.

The 52-year-old's contract runs until next summer and he revealed his assumption that he has the backing to carry on in the Blues hotseat. But he also conceded he is yet to be updated by Chelsea chiefs on next season's plans, even though he believes he has done enough to carry on.

"If I have one more year on my contract here and no one says anything, then I suppose that I am going to be here," said Pochettino. "If there's a decision and someone says to me 'ciao', okay. But because we don't know at the moment, then I suppose that I will be here.

"But enough of these stupid rumours. You need to ask the club, whether the club wants me to keep going or not. And stop writing things that make no sense."

Silva set to seal Fluminense return

12:34 , Matt Verri

Thiago Silva appears to be heading to Fluminense, writes Nizaar Kinsella.

There's caution about announcing the deal on the Brazilian side given some final details of the contract, and they want to show respect to Chelsea.

But there is a belief that Silva will re-join his boyhood club when he leaves Stamford Bridge this summer.

Gilchrist living out Chelsea 'dream'

12:25 , Matt Verri

Alfie Gilchrist says Mauricio Pochettino gives youngsters like him the belief they need to make it at Chelsea.

The 20-year-old has gone from sitting in the East Stand upper tier as a fan to helping beat Tottenham 2-0 in his first home Premier League start at Stamford Bridge.

The homegrown star’s rise has captured the imagination of supporters, who chanted “he’s one of our own” on Thursday night.

Having also signed a new contract until 2026 last month and earned praise for his "unbelievable attitude" from club legend John Terry, Gilchrist said while pointing: “I sat up in the East Stand upper. I wanted to be down here playing whenever I was up there.

“That’s what I am doing now. If you told me this would happen before the season, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, but it is a dream come true.

“I hope to keep ticking off these achievements. I feel I have taken my chance tonight. These games will only help me and I will keep improving when I keep testing myself against the best players. My family say keep going and believe in your ability.”

He added: “I feel like [Pochettino believed in me] after I came on after my debut at Palace. He started pushing me even more. I got my first start and built a good relationship with him from there.”

Lopetegui leading West Ham race

12:17 , Matt Verri

Julen Lopetegui is now the frontrunner to replace David Moyes at West Ham, with the Spaniard close to agreeing a deal.

Moyes is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and both he and the club insist there will be no decision over his future until talks following the final game of the season.

However, there is strong expectation that the Scot will leave the London Stadium this summer and the search for a potential successor has been underway for weeks.

Talks with Lopetegui have progressed well, though no firm agreement in principle has yet been reached and Sporting boss Ruben Amorim remains a live contender for the post.

The fact that former Lopetegui is not currently in a job, meaning West Ham would not have to pay a release clause, is thought to be attractive to co-chairman David Sullivan.

Lille coach Paulo Fonseca and former Bayern Munich boss Hans Flick have also been considered.

How it stands...

12:09 , Matt Verri

End of the Premier League season is fast approaching.

Chelsea sit eighth in the table, but a win here will see them go above above Manchester United and within two points of Newcastle in sixth.

Erik ten Hag’s side will have the chance to respond tomorrow night when they face Crystal Palace.

West Ham, ninth in the table, can move above Chelsea if they win this afternoon, but the Blues have a game in hand. The Hammers need plenty of favours if they are to secure European football next season.

Pochettino addresses Gallagher future

12:02 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino has insisted Chelsea’s board must act to keep Conor Gallagher at Stamford Bridge.

Gallagher could leave Chelsea this summer, with the Blues’ owners understood to be weighing whether to sell the England midfielder.

Chelsea fans made their feelings on homegrown talent Gallagher clear before the Blues’ 2-0 derby win over rivals Tottenham, unfurling a banner in support of the 24-year-old.

The Shed End Tifo read “Conor Gallagher, Chelsea since birth”, in a pointed call to the Blues’ bosses to keep their home favourite in west London.

Asked about Gallagher’s wider situation, Pochettino replied: “I am not involved, I know nothing, I cannot tell you.

“I think you can see in my starting XI I think, the whole season, was strong with him. He’s an important player of course.

“But I’m not involved in the decision, it’s the club and Conor. I’m not involved, that’s a situation that they need to fix between the club and the player.”

West Ham were 'close' to Palmer deal

11:54 , Matt Verri

David Moyes has revealed just how close he came to signing Cole Palmer last summer - and hinted that the collapse of Lucas Paqueta’s move to Manchester City played a part in West Ham missing out on the England star.

West Ham were in talks to sign Palmer when it became clear he was on his way out of City during last year’s window, but eventually missed out to Chelsea, where the 21-year-old has since excelled, scoring 20 Premier League goals this term.

Around the same time, City were closing on an £80million deal for Paqueta, only to pull out when news broke that the FA were investigating the midfielder over potential betting breaches.

“[We were] close, close,” Moyes said at his press conference on Friday. “You can probably imagine the other part of it, where there was a possibility of somebody leaving here which might have made that work.

“I was in regular contact with his agent and we were well on the road with it but it just changed at the end and we couldn’t do it.”

Standard Sport prediction

11:45 , Matt Verri

Chelsea were so impressive with limited options on Thursday, and there are growing signs that things are starting to finally click.

That has already been said many times this season, but they should have enough to beat a West Ham side stumbling towards the end of the season.

Chelsea to win, 2-1.

Stage is set!

11:37 , Matt Verri

It’s a glorious afternoon in west London...

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

11:30 , Matt Verri

Midfielders Jimi Tauriainen and Leo Castledine were both substitutes in the 2-0 win over Tottenham on Thursday night.

However, they've both since suffered injuries in Chelsea Under-21s win over Brighton.

They will likely be out today but Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill could return to take their places on the bench.

West Ham team news

11:22 , Matt Verri

Konstantinos Mavropanos is pushing to be available for West Ham.

Mavropanos has been on the sidelines for the last three matches after limping off during last month’s damaging defeat to Fulham.

The Greek defender’s absence has coincided with an injury to Nayef Aguerd, meaning David Moyes has been left with Kurt Zouma and veteran Angelo Ogbonna as his only two fit centre-backs in recent weeks.

Aguerd suffered an ankle injury in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and Moyes confirmed that the Moroccan will not be fit to face Chelsea, but was more positive on Mavropanos’s chances.

“Dinos is making some progress, Aguerd isn’t available,” the Scot said.

Predicted West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio

Chelsea team news

11:14 , Matt Verri

Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill are in contention to provide Chelsea with a much-needed double boost.

Nkunku, 26, has started only two matches for Chelsea since joining last summer, having endured an injury-ravaged debut Premier League campaign. Colwill is also expected back from a toe injury.

Their returns will ease the Blues’ mammoth injury list which still totals an alarming 12 players.

Reece James, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez and Wesley Fofana are all set to be out injured.

Chelsea's only available midfield duo, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher, will continue as a double pivot. They are set to start behind an attacking front four of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson

Why isn't Chelsea vs West Ham on TV?

11:08 , Matt Verri

TV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast on in the UK as it was originally scheduled for a Saturday 3pm kick-off, which would have taken place during the TV blackout imposed across English football.

As a result of the postponement, it cannot be shown live in the UK.

Highlights: Fans will be able watch free highlights, however, when Match of the Day 2 airs at 10.30pm BST on BBC One on Sunday.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action LIVE with us, featuring expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella and Malik Ouzia at the ground.

Good morning!

11:03 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs West Ham!

Another London derby for the Blues, just a few days after they proved too good for Tottenham. West Ham the visitors this afternoon, with both sides needing points in the race for European football.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm BST from Stamford Bridge.