Teamwork makes the dream work

Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth (Sep 14, 2024) Recreation Evaluation

11


Chelsea substitute Christopher Nkunku struck within the 86th minute to safe a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth in a recreation suffering from a Premier League document 14 yellow playing cards on Saturday.

Bournemouth twice struck the woodwork and Evanilson had a first-half penalty saved by Robert Sánchez.

However Chelsea completed the sport strongly and Nkunku, who got here on within the 79th minute, slotted dwelling from shut vary to make it two away wins out of two for the London facet.

Chelsea moved as much as seventh with seven factors from 4 video games, whereas Bournemouth are eleventh with 5 factors.

Christopher Nkunku got here off the bench to win the sport for Chelsea.

Michael Steele/Getty Photos


Whereas it was not a wholly convincing show by Enzo Maresca’s crew who rode their luck within the first half, there have been loads of positives to remove from the south coast.

They ended a run of 17 Premier League away video games with no clear sheet, gave a debut to on-loan Jadon Sancho who impressed as a second-half substitute and confirmed loads of resilience.

“First half we struggled, second half we had been miles higher,” Maresca stated. “We did not win many balls within the first half and also you want that in such a stadium in opposition to this crew.”

Bournemouth, nevertheless, paid dearly for failing to take their probabilities.

“We had extra every thing, extra photographs, extra corners, however on the finish what actually issues is to attain they usually did it on the finish,” stated Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

A recreation filled with probabilities and niggly fouls gave the impression to be heading for an unlikely stalemate till Sancho, on mortgage from Manchester United, threaded a ball in to Nkunku who confirmed nice power to show sharply and toe-poke a shot previous goalkeeper Mark Travers.

A recreation filled with probabilities and niggly fouls gave the impression to be heading for an unlikely stalemate till Sancho, on mortgage from Manchester United, threaded a ball in to Nkunku who confirmed nice power to show sharply and toe-poke a shot previous keeper Mark Travers.

Sancho’s position within the purpose capped an eye catching debut for the winger who obtained a runners-up medal from the Champions League closing whereas on mortgage at Borussia Dortmund final season.

“Jadon is an excellent participant and may also help us,” Maresca stated. “Now all of the noise round him, I do not care. With us he is very well mannered, coaching nicely on and off the ball.”

Bournemouth had the higher of the primary half with Marcus Tavernier thumping a long-range effort in opposition to the crossbar within the fourth minute.

Travers denied Nicolas Jackson on the different finish however Bournemouth appeared set to go in entrance when Brazilian Evanilson was bundled over by Chelsea keeper Sanchez within the thirty sixth minute.

Sanchez made amends although as he learn Evanilson’s spot kick nicely to maintain his facet on degree phrases.

Chelsea despatched on Sancho within the second half rather than Pedro Neto and he confirmed flashes of his greatest kind.

However Bournemouth nonetheless appeared the extra more likely to rating with Sanchez saving from Justin Kluivert earlier than Ryan Christie noticed his side-footed effort strike the skin of the publish.

Chelsea weathered the storm although and Nkunku despatched the visiting followers dwelling glad.

Whereas referee Anthony Taylor’s yellow card had a busy night time, many of the bookings had been for niggly fouls or for gamers back-chatting the official. Eight Chelsea gamers had been booked in all.

“It isn’t an issue for me with this quantity of yellow playing cards. It’s what it’s. Typically the sport calls for the best way it’s a must to behave,” Maresca stated.