Chelsea’s supporters sang Jadon Sancho’s name after their newest signing changed the complexion of a contest that, until his half-time introduction, appeared to be going Bournemouth's way if anyone’s.
Enzo Maresca’s men had looked as united as their boardroom. There were team-mates bickering amongst one another, 50-50s surrendered, balls lost, their intensity levels nowhere near that of Andoni Iraola’s side.
But it was in the 86th minute when, for a brief moment, Maresca forgot about all that. Chelsea’s head coach could not help bursting out of his technical box in celebration, having seen Sancho play in his fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku so that he could bag the winner.
Nkunku did well as he turned, squeezed between Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi, and beat Mark Travers. While the drama between Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will continue off the field, Chelsea can at least lessen the noise about this being a club at war by winning on it.
Bournemouth play with a clear plan under Iraola in how they press so vigorously that their opponents often surrender possession out of panic. One onlooker at the Vitality Stadium likened it to Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao when asked. ‘Only more intense,’ he added with a smile.
Nkunku struck late to secure a valuable three points for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Sanchez gave away a penalty in the first half when he clattered into the Cherries' Evanilson
But the Chelsea gloveman immediately atoned for his error with a save down low to his left
It did not take Chelsea long to discover that. With both Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall bedridden by illnesses, the imposing Renato Veiga was brought in alongside Moises Caicedo. Making his first Premier League start, the 6ft 3in Portuguese saw the ball snatched from him by Ryan Christie after 45 seconds. Chelsea survived the attack that followed, but it was the first of many instances when Bournemouth threatened to score after pinching possession.
After three minutes, Marcus Tavernier let rip a rocket from 25 yards which looked destined for the top corner, only for the crossbar to save Chelsea. Tavernier was enjoying himself down the left-hand side, the visitors vulnerable in that area as they had no healthy right backs.
Malo Gusto joined Reece James on the injured list over the international break and rather than turn to Josh Acheampong, their academy’s highly-promising 18-year-old, Maresca opted for a centre back in Axel Disasi. It was a big ask for him, and frankly, he made himself look like such a weak link in the opening half hour that Anne Robinson may as well have been winking at him.
First, Disasi’s dithering allowed Tavernier to take the ball from him before Evanilson narrowly missed heading home. Then, Chelsea’s makeshift right back decided against chasing down a loose ball as he thought Wesley Fofana had it covered. Except Fofana was never going to get there in time. It led to Robert Sanchez needing to stop Justin Kluivert from scoring, before Chelsea's goalkeeper was required again to deny Lewis Cook from 25 yards.
Finally after 33 minutes, there was a chance for Chelsea when Levi Colwill was allowed to charge forward unopposed before setting up Nicolas Jackson. The striker, having last week extended his contract until 2033, blasted the ball straight at Mark Travers, who was standing in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, the goalkeeper on loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea.
In the 37th minute, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Fofana tried to pass the ball back to Sanchez. It was criminally short as Evanilson lifted it over Chelsea's goalkeeper, who could only wipe him out. Whether harsh or not, Sanchez made a super save, diving low to his left to get a strong hand to deny Evanilson the opener.
may wish to give Cole Palmer an unofficial assist for that stop by Sanchez, the England international having engaged in mind games by getting in Evanilson’s ear beforehand.
Maresca knew something had to change and at half-time, he introduced Sancho. The Manchester United loanee was immediately involved in a move which saw the ball cut back through the box, but it was wasted. Soon after, he set up Jackson, who opened his body but blasted over from 18 yards.
The introduction of Jadon Sancho swung the contest firmly in Chelsea's favour
Sanchez did well to stop Kluivert in the 52nd minute after he cut inside and nearly found the bottom corner, while Antoine Semenyo curled narrowly over after a nicely-worked free-kick routine. Bournemouth sensed the win was there for the taking as Ryan Christie kissed the post.
After an hour, Disasi’s time was up as Tosin Adarabioyo replaced him, while Joao Felix came on for Noni Madueke. In the 66th minute, Palmer was livid with Jackson when instead of teeing him up, he took aim, with Marcos Senesi making the block.
The Bournemouth supporters’ favourite song became ‘what a waste of money’ whenever a mistake was made by a Chelsea player. But the visitors were beginning to get further forward as we entered the final 20 minutes, Sancho showing his creativity on the left.
It was from that area that he passed to Nkunku, who then did the rest by breaking through to score.