In a thrilling encounter at the Vitality Stadium, Chelsea managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, thanks to a late strike from Christopher Nkunku. The game was a hard-fought battle, with Bournemouth dominating large portions, only for Chelsea to steal the three points in the dying moments of the match.
Bournemouth’s Dominant First Half
Bournemouth came out strong from the first whistle, seizing control of the game early on. They relentlessly pressed Chelsea, creating several good chances within the first 10 minutes. Despite their intensity, they were unable to break the deadlock, as Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez proved to be a formidable obstacle.
In the 22nd minute, Tavernier whipped in a beautiful cross to Kluivert, whose well-placed shot was destined for the top corner, only to be denied by Sánchez. Bournemouth kept the pressure on and, by the 25th minute, had already registered six attempts on goal, three of which were on target, while Chelsea had only managed three attempts without troubling the goalkeeper.
Chelsea’s first real chance came in the 28th minute when Noni Madueke’s low pass found Nicolas Jackson, but he failed to convert, sending the ball wide of the target. Minutes later, Jackson was again at the heart of Chelsea’s attack, receiving a pass from Levi Colwill, but his shot was saved by Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Mark Travers.
The most dramatic moment of the first half came in the 37th minute when Sánchez fouled Bournemouth’s Evanilson inside the box, conceding a penalty. However, Sánchez made up for his error, producing a crucial save to keep the scores level. Bournemouth continued to press, and Cook had another opportunity to give his team the lead just before halftime, but his powerful shot flew off target.
The first half ended 0-0, with Bournemouth playing direct and aggressive football. They had 11 attempts on goal, four of which were on target, while Chelsea struggled to create chances and relied heavily on Sánchez’s heroics to stay in the game.
Chelsea Turn the Tide in the Second Half
Chelsea started the second half with renewed energy, making an early substitution as Jadon Sancho came on for Neto, bringing fresh attacking impetus. Chelsea immediately created a chance in the 47th minute when Cucurela, after receiving a pass from Sancho, crossed the ball into Bournemouth’s penalty area, but no Chelsea player was able to get a decisive touch.
Bournemouth had another great opportunity in the 51st minute when Kluivert unleashed a powerful shot, only for Sánchez to make yet another crucial save. Chelsea’s Jackson had a chance in the 55th minute, receiving a low pass from Sancho, but he failed to place his shot on target.
The game saw a major turning point in the 60th minute when Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made a double substitution, bringing on João Félix for Noni Madueke and Tosin Adarabioyo for Axel Disasi. This tactical change shifted the momentum in Chelsea’s favor, as they began to dominate possession and create more dangerous chances.
Nkunku Breaks Bournemouth’s Resistance
Chelsea’s pressure paid off in the 86th minute when Sancho delivered a low cross from the left wing that found Christopher Nkunku between three Bournemouth defenders. With composure, Nkunku maneuvered through the crowded defense and slotted the ball into the net, finally breaking the deadlock and giving Chelsea a late 1-0 lead.
Bournemouth pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes, creating several chances, but Chelsea’s defense held firm. Sánchez, who had been Chelsea’s standout player throughout the match, made several more important saves to ensure his side left with all three points.
Key Takeaways
Despite Bournemouth’s dominance for large parts of the game, it was Chelsea who came away with the win, courtesy of a clinical late goal from Nkunku. Chelsea’s defense, led by Sánchez, was instrumental in securing the victory, as the goalkeeper’s penalty save and multiple crucial stops kept Bournemouth at bay.
This win pushes Chelsea up to 7th in the Premier League standings, with 7 points, while Bournemouth remains 11th with 5 points. For Chelsea, this result will give them a confidence boost as they continue to build under their new system, while Bournemouth will be left to rue their missed opportunities after such a strong start to the match.