(Video): Nicolas Jackson fires in near post finish from Cucurella assist to put Chelsea ahead | OneFootball

Chelsea lead 1-0 at Stamford Bridge!

The first 10 minutes have mostly been spent working out this new formation, but with our first significant attack of the game we’ve scored. Marc Cucurella raced to a Villa clearance and won it by putting his body on the line.

He then exchanged a 1-2 with Jadon Sancho while overlapping his teammate, showing just what we expected from this shape. Cucurella got the ball back as he raced into the box and fired a cross in to Nicolas Jackson who was attacking the near post.

Jackson is on fire right now, and his finish crashed in off the near post, beating Emi Martinez. His confidence is high and it shows. His form is superb and the crowd are loving him. The movement, the confidence, the finish – top work, Nico.

You can see the goal in the clips embedded here:

[Footage from Sky Sports]

[Footage from NBC Sport]

[Footage from NBC Sport]

Nicolas Jackson chases a loose ball. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Jackson’s improvement continues to astound

Jackson’s development continues at a ridiculous pace. This sort of instinctive near post run and finish wasn’t in his locker a year ago – it is now.

This takes him to 34 goal involvements in 58 Chelsea appearances. 11 in 13 games this season. 18 G/A in his last 21 appearances. That is ridiculous.

He’s one the most effective strikers in the league both in terms of stats and by the eye test – and that doesn’t even take into account his defensive work. The clamour to sign a top striker has faded fast – in fact it probably won’t be long before it flips and we hear about Real Madrid wanting to sign Jackson.

This game isn’t won yet – we’re facing a dangerous team and need a second goal. But it’s the perfect start and confidence is high.