Christopher Nkunku scored a late winner to give Chelsea all three points at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening.
Chelsea were fortunate to come away with a win after conceding a first-half penalty, so Robert Sanchez deserves the plaudits.
Bournemouth will certainly feel they did enough to win, except put the ball in the net. Chelsea found a way when they weren’t at their best, robbing a 1-0 victory.
Bournemouth spurned many chances
Bournemouth could have taken the lead in the first half through Marcus Tavenier, but his effort hit the bar. It was a brilliant strike from distance and had Sanchez beat, but didn’t have enough dip to go in.
A mix-up between Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana then saw Tavenier nearly turn creator, finding Evanilson in the box. He brilliantly laid the ball for Justin Kluivert to strike, but Sanchez saved his effort from close range.
Chelsea were pushing their luck but did carve out an opportunity of their own through Nicolas Jackson. Levi Colwill put Jackson through on goal, but his effort was saved by Mark Travers.
Bournemouth had another chance to take the lead, this time through Evanilson who capitalised on a defensive error, but his shot bounced short.
Fofana played a weak backpass and Evanilson beat Sanchez to the ball with a chip, but his effort was weak. Evanilson was fouled by the Chelsea goalkeeper while taking the chance, so Bournemouth were awarded a penalty.
Evanilson saw his spot-kick saved by Sanchez, so he redeemed himself and kept Chelsea in the match. That was all in the first half.
Chelsea punish Bees with moment of brilliance
After the break, Kluivert came close to scoring with a mazy solo run, but Sanchez was equal to it. A cutback by Antoine Semenyo found Ryan Christie on the edge of the box, but his side-footed effort hit the post.
Chelsea were living dangerously, but they found a winner against the run of play to steal all three points. Jadon Sancho found Nkunku who brilliantly evaded two defenders on the turn and found the bottom corner.
Bournemouth may wonder how they lost the game, but Chelsea were ruthless when it mattered.
Read here for a list of Chelsea legends that graced Stamford Bridge down the years
