Nicolas Jackson ends drought as Chelsea boost top 5 push

LONDON – Chelsea boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League, as Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-game goal drought to seal a crucial 1-0 English Premier League win against Everton on April 26.

Jackson struck in the first half at Stamford Bridge to get back on the score sheet for the first time since December.

The much-maligned Senegal forward’s 10th goal of the season was enough to lift Enzo Maresca’s side into fifth place in the standings with 60 points, just a point behind Manchester City in fourth.

Newcastle United climbed to third following a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town, which meant that the Tractor Boys will be relegated.

Jackson’s winner, which sealed a second consecutive win for the Blues, ensured that they remain in the hunt to return to the Champions League with four games left.

“For the players, for the fans, everybody, that’s (making the Champions League) our dream. I’ve never played in it, so hopefully next year we play it. It’s not done yet, but now we move to the next one,” said the match-winner.

Defender Marc Cucurella added: “We know now every game is a final. Today we ran together and we felt like a team and we deserved this win.”

Despite the much-needed result, it was another nervous afternoon for Maresca, who insisted this week that his first season at Chelsea has not been a failure after criticism of the Italian’s conservative tactics.

He barely celebrated last weekend’s 2-1 win at Fulham, leaving the pitch immediately after the final whistle in a move that was interpreted as a response to mounting abuse from frustrated supporters.

The former Leicester City manager’s cautious game plans have irked fans, who have jeered Maresca and his players several times this season. But he is adamant he deserves respect