Raheem Sterling admits that Chelsea weren’t ruthless enough in defeat to West Ham as Ashley Cole reveals he thinks Mauricio Pochettino’s side will have a problem with scoring goals

Raheem Sterling feels that Chelsea were made to pay for not taking their chances in their 3-1 defeat away to West Ham.

Chelsea had 17 attempts at London Stadium but scored just once, through Carney Chukwuemeka, and have only taken one point from their first two games.

Sterling, who produced an impressive performance, admitted that Chelsea were left dejected after Michail Antonio made it 2-1 to West Ham. 

Even though West Ham subsequently had Nayef Aguerd sent off, it was West Ham who prevailed.  

Speaking on Sky Sports, Sterling said: ‘It is a difficult one to take, the chances we created and dominating at an away ground.

‘They took their chances and they deserve it in the end.

‘Dominating a game at a ground like West Ham’s you have got to take your chances, this is the Premier League and it will come back to haunt you.

‘When that second goal went in it was a downer, as we have not taken our chances and they took theirs.

‘It is stepping stones, we dominated the game and physically we are better, we just need to cut out some of the sloppy play.’

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole admitted that he’s concerned that Mauricio Pochettino’s team will have a problem with regards to scoring goals.

Cole stressed that the absence of new arrival Christopher Nkunku, who is out with a knee injury, is a significant blow. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Cole said: ‘I really feel there’s going to be a problem in terms of goals. Whether Nkunku comes back quicker than we think I don’t know, for me he’s a big loss.

‘You’re looking at other players around, Mudryk sometimes is a little bit too far away from the game, is he arriving in the box enough? That’s what you want, penetration, runs in behind, causes defences problems. Raheem I thought was brilliant as well as Jackson, but it’s where the goals are going to come from.’ 

Nicolas Jackson, who joined from Villarreal, demonstrated impressive linkup play against West Ham, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to provide a clinical threat in front of goal. 

Summer arrival Nicolas Jackson produced a lively performance but couldn’t find the net

Ashley Cole admitted that he feels that Chelsea will have a problem in terms of scoring goals