CHELSEA have beaten Bournemouth in a thrilling Saturday night Premier League clash – and they have Christopher Nkunku to thank.
Jadon Sancho impressed on his debut and capped it off with an assist.
And the man on the end of his assist was Nkunku – who had to wriggle past a couple players before firing the Blues to all three points.
- RESULT: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea
- Stream/TV: Sky Sports Premier League
- Bournemouth XI: Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Sensei, Kerkez; Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Veiga; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
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Sancho the way to go
A strong debut from Jadon Sancho.
Here’s his impressive stats.
Match stats
Were Chelsea fortunate to win tonight?
Chelsea player ratings
SunSport has also helpfully rated every single Chelsea player from tonight.
But who was the best man on the pitch?
And who had a game to forget?
Find out below!
Missed the game?
And want all the action in a tight and concise package?
Look no further with our match report!
Some of the best moments
A big night for Maresca’s Blues….
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That win sees Chelsea move from 13th to 7th in the table.
The result was Bournemouth’s first defeat of the campaign.
And Maresca is sure to be delighted with a much-needed victory.
Full time – Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
IT’S OVER!
A huge win for Chelsea here.
They were second best for most of the match.
But Chelsea pulled through and were saved by super-sub Nkunku.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
YELLOW CARD
And another one.
Semenyo booked for a foul on Cucurella.
That’s 14 for outfield players, and 16 if you include the two for coaches.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
95. Another great save from Sanchez.
This time Unal pulls the trigger from outside the box.
But Chelsea’s goalie gets down again to save.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
94. Two more minutes of added time here.
Bournemouth are giving it some welly and Colwill is forced into a block.
The Cherries get a corner but it’s saved by Sanchez.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
YELLOW CARD
Here we go, it’s a Premier League record.
Taylor shows his 15th yellow – 13 for outfield players – and that’s history made.
Joao Felix is in the book now.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
He always seems to do the business.
Another appearance, another goal for Nkunku.
He’s surely got to start the next league game for Chelsea.
And a debut assist for Sancho to boot.
Credit: PA Credit: PA Credit: Getty Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
YELLOW CARD
Renato Veiga is in the book.
He jumped into the stands to celebrate with fans.
And it was not missed by Taylor, who reached into his pocket for a 14th time.
It’s now the most yellows shown in a Premier League game for EIGHT years.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
It’s taken a long time but it’s finally come!
Nkunku gets onto a pass from Sancho and powers his way into the box before firing a shot past Travers.
It’s a great finish and he celebrates in style with his trademark balloon.
GOAL – NKUNKU
HE’S GONE AND DONE IT!
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
85. It’s felt all game like Chelsea haven’t been able to get enough players forward to support attacks.
Another potential move comes to a swift end as they are forced to play it back after failing to break down Bournemouth’s low block.
The Blues have all the possession though.
And it’s not over until it’s over.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Bournemouth make another change.
And it’s an attacking one!
Tavernier comes off.
And striker Enes Unal comes on in his place.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
82. Cucurella is very lucky to not be sent off.
He barges his opponent in the back to give away a free-kick.
But the Spaniard escapes a second yellow.
You’d think if he hadn’t already got one, that would have definitely gone in the book.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
YELLOW CARD
Senesi becomes the 13th victim of Taylor’s yellows.
Incredible that nobody has been sent off.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
80. 10 minutes left.
Both sides want to win this.
But nobody wants to lose it either!
This is going to get very tense indeed.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
CHELSEA SUB
Here comes Nkunku!
Jackson’s off for the Frenchman.
Can Nkunku find a late winner?
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
76. The Cherries break quickly into Chelsea’s box.
Caicedo goes sliding in and the hosts appeal for a handball!
But Taylor is not having it and ignores the pleas.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
More subs for Bournemouth
Smith gets a round of applause as he comes off for new signing Araujo.
Kluivert is also subbed with Billing now on the field.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
72. Veiga goes on a crazy run and dribbles past two players before getting sight of Bournemouth’s goal.
But he is unable to shoot as he overplays his hand.
There’s also two balls on the pitch right now.
And cheers go up as the second is eventually kicked off.
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Sancho has looked bright since coming on.
He’s tried to take on his man each time he’s been on the ball.
And Chelsea need to get him involved more if they want the three points.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
