CHELSEA fans have praised Cole Palmer for his “mind games” in the build-up to Bournemouth’s penalty miss.
The Blues secured their second Premier League win of the season last night as they beat the Cherries 1-0.
Christopher Nkunku’s strike made the difference as Jadon Sancho impressed in his cameo and set up the goal.
But some Chelsea supporters are demanding Palmer also gets registered with an assist for his role in a decisive moment.
With the score level in the first-half, Bournemouth were given a penalty after Evanilson was fouled by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
But Chelsea’s No1 immediately redeemed himself and saved the spot-kick brilliantly.
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Before Evanilson took his shot, eagle-eyed fans noticed Palmer trying to put him off.
The England star was seen speaking to him before being ushered away by Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier.
Chelsea fans loved his tricks, with one saying: “Palmer needs credit as he got into penalty taker’s head.”
Another added: “Palmer with another assist…this time for a penalty save. Mind games.”
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More reacted: “Palmer man of the match for getting in Evanilson’s head before the penalty.”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “The Bournemouth players were having a chat, Palmer is trying to get into peoples’ heads, ‘are you going to take it?’
“Having a little discussion about it, trying to get into his head, all part of the psychology of football.
“Interesting to see how good his [Evanilson’s] English is. He hasn’t been here that long, he probably doesn’t understand Palmer. He got the gist of it I’m sure.”
Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth as Sanchez and Sancho are heroes… and Palmer struggles
CHELSEA needed a late moment of magic from Christopher Nkunku to snatch all three points from Bournemouth.
Marcus Tavernier crashed a super strike against the crossbar early on and Robert Sanchez saved an Evanilson penalty before the break.
Jadon Sancho came on for his debut at half-time and made the difference for the Blues as he set up Nkunku’s winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Nickless rated Maresca’s men…
Robert Sanchez – 8
Man-of-the-match show with first-half penalty save from Evanilson and a handful of excellent saves.
But rather fortunate to stay on the pitch after denying Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate foul that led to the spot-kick.
Axel Disasi – 5
The right-back was given an uncomfortable night down the right side.
Given the runaround by Cherries dangerman Antoine Semenyo and was replaced just after the hour.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Did his best to keep a clean sheet when run ragged by the home strikers.
Luckily for the centre-back, he could rely on Sanchez to keep them out.
Levi Colwill – 6
Did his best to calm the storm that came the Blues’ way for most of the match.
Made sure he kept record-signing Evanilson away from notching his first Premier League goal.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Always busy and making a nuisance of himself when he wasn’t being buffeted by Semenyo’s marking.
But overdid it with one stupid, deliberate shoulder barge on the Bournemouth winger.
Renato Veiga – 5
Suffered like most of his team-mates to open up the home side’s defence.
The Portuguese midfielder didn’t see enough of the ball to make an impact.
Moises Caicedo – 7
The captain was always looking for that defence-splitting pass when he wasn’t on defensive duty.
Gave an example to others around him who weren’t putting in a decent shift.
Noni Madueke – 5
Was quite mad attempting an early shot at the home goal that ended up as a throw-in.
And it didn’t get much better than that for the winger who was hauled off just after the hour.
Cole Palmer – 5
Rested by England for tired muscles and there wasn’t much energy in this performance.
But the Cherries, worried by his reputation, did target him in the first half.
Pedro Neto – 5
Failed to make any impact on the wing but could claim he had little or no service.
Boss Maresca had seen enough and brought on Sancho to replace him at half-time.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Chelsea fans won’t want to suffer another nine years of this from the big striker.
Had one shot comfortably saved and another blocked but will need to show more upfront for his ludicrous long contract.
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Jadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8
Was booked 11 minutes after coming on then, looked likely throughout second half and set up Nkunku’s equaliser on super debut.
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Disasi) – 6
Was seldom troubled.
Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5
Tidied up in midfield.
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8
Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
