Nicolas Jackson scored the first hat-trick of his career against Spurs (Photo: Getty)
Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson still has plenty of room for improvement after netting a hat-trick against Tottenham.
The Blues came from behind to beat nine-man Spurs 4-1 on Monday night in an epic and carnage-filled London derby.
It was a much needed win for Chelsea, who have moved into the top-half of the Premier League table, and a much needed confidence boost for Jackson.
The forward scored a tap in to give his side the lead in the 75th minute after being teed up selflessly by Raheem Sterling, before bagging two more similar goals in stoppage time to ensure the victory.
The Senegal international had a lively night, managing 10 touches in the opposition box, completing all but one of his passes, and having six shots, five on target, and was named player of the match.
Arriving from Villarreal over the summer, Jackson has received criticism for missing many big chances, but the 22-year-old showed his class against Spurs, much to his manager’s delight.
‘I think it is about building his confidence. We know when a striker is young and arrives at a club like Chelsea it is massive,’ Pochettino said post-match.
‘He is so young and came from Spain, different league and he needs to improve. I hope this hat-trick can allow him top play more relaxed and find the confidence he needs.
‘I am happy for him because we know that when strikers don’t score, they suffer. So that is for people to think. He is really young, arrived to the club this summer, and it’s not easy to play for Chelsea. It’s the history, about winning, lifting trophies.
‘That’s why as a coaching staff we need to provide the tools and be calm with the way we assess things. The confidence is there and I am so happy for him because he deserves the boost.’
‘I am very happy and it has been a difficult time for everybody in the team,’ Jackson said after the win.
‘We are coming back really slowly and happy to have scored three goals. It’s my first hat-trick, so I am happy to have done it with the biggest club in England and everywhere.
‘I need to always improve and work harder. We continue working. Tottenham have an amazing stadium and amazing fans, so we needed to fight and win the game.
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‘We have quality players to give us the ball and we won. We were dreaming about winning the big games and the confidence within the team is coming really slowly.’
Jackson has now scored six goals in 13 games across all competitions for Chelsea and will have the chance to add to continue his good form against league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
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‘He needs to improve!’