West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui calls his team ‘soft’ in a BRUTAL verdict in London derby

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui described his side as “soft” while Jarrod Bowen admitted they made it easy for Chelsea after suffering a third consecutive home defeat.

   Two goals from Nicolas Jackson and a goal from Cole Palmer ensured the Blues won comfortably, but Lopetegui bemoaned his side’s defending in all three.

   The Hammers boss was also booed loudly by the home fans after opting to replace Crysenia Summerville early in the second half.


   “Obviously today is a bad day for all of us and we have to look forward, work hard and think about the future,” Lopetegui said.

   “We are very, very disappointed. The loss was very soft. We scored two early goals, we can and must do better. We had more chances and more ball, but that is not important.

   West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui described his side as “soft” in the brutal demolition.

   The Hammers lost their third game in a row at home and won once this season


   Two goals from Nicolas Jackson and a goal from Cole Palmer helped Chelsea win

   “We can defend a lot better. When you score the first goal, the rest of the game is more difficult, but then after the second goal it’s the same.

   “This group of players will improve. They should have time to give the fans their best. They deserve it. We feel their support, their ambition.”

   TNT sports pundit Joe Cole described West Ham’s performance as “poor from start to finish”, while captain Bowen also criticized the goals conceded by his side.

   “I don’t think we were ever really in the game,” Bowen said.

   “The goals they scored were very easy from our side. You have to be in every moment. They punished us with the first goal. The second goal was easy to beat.

   “I thought we gave them too much respect in the end.

   “Having lost 3-0 at home to your local rivals, you want to put on a show for the fans. Now it’s about coming together as a group.”

   Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were in the stands to see Enzo Maresca win his third consecutive away game since taking charge of the Blues.

   West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen felt his side made it easy for Chelsea to take control

   The Hammers captain felt his side were giving Chelsea too much respect at their home ground

   “It’s always good when we win for them, especially since they were both here,” Maresca said.

   “They were in the dressing room [after the match], everyone was happy. The result and the points are always important. The main goal is to see how we develop as a team. We are improving a lot, although we can attack and defend better. Sometimes we have to manage the game better.

   “I think we’re on the right track, going in the right direction. But it’s a long way.

   “Since we won today, we are in a good moment, it seems that everything is fine. But everything is not fine. We could attack better, we could defend better. It’s just a matter of time.”