Match Report: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea

A late goal by Christopher Nkunku in the last ten minutes helped the Blues secure all three points in Bournemouth, following a strong performance in the second half.

Robert Sanchez concluded a stellar performance by stopping a penalty in a tightly contested first half and made several impressive saves to ensure his team maintained a clean sheet.

However, Enzo Maresca's daring changes in the second half proved fruitful when Jadon Sancho capped off a fantastic debut by assisting fellow substitute Nkunku for the winning goal in the 86th minute.

"Making My Premier League Debut"

Enzo Maresca changed two players in the starting lineup that drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace before the international break.

Renato Veiga made his debut as a starter in the Premier League this summer, stepping in for Enzo Fernandez, who was sidelined with an illness. Additionally, Axel Disasi took over the right-back position due to Malo Gusto's injury.

On Deadline Day, Jadon Sancho was included in a solid substitutes list that featured Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk as well.

Bournemouth almost scored within the first four minutes when Veiga lost possession in his own half. After recovering the ball, Marcus Tavernier took a long-range shot from 25 yards out, hitting the crossbar.

Chelsea controlled the ball more in the first fifteen minutes, but Bournemouth posed a bigger threat. They were the first to test the goalkeeper, as Tavernier's low shot was comfortably saved by Robert Sanchez.

The Blues came really close when Wesley Fofana made a strong run, creating an opportunity for Noni Madueke, whose low shot aimed at the goal was blocked. The home defense managed to clear the ball just in time.

However, Bournemouth quickly hit back, forcing Sanchez to make a great save against Justin Kluivert, followed shortly by another crucial stop from Lewis Cook.

Chelsea came close to scoring shortly after the 30-minute mark when Levi Colwill set up Nicolas Jackson with a well-timed pass. Jackson's left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area was stopped by Mark Travers.

The home team nearly took the lead at the 38-minute mark when Fofana misplayed a back pass. Evanilson managed to intercept it and just got to the ball before Sanchez, who had no choice but to foul the striker as he pushed the ball past the goalkeeper.

However, Sanchez anticipated correctly during the penalty and executed an outstanding save, ensuring the score remained at 0-0.

Before the break, Cook had another chance to take a long-distance shot, but this time it missed the far post.

At halftime, Sancho came on for Neto, and he made an instant difference. During a quick offensive play, he passed the ball to Cucurella, whose cross just evaded the forwards in the center.

The Blues came close to scoring again shortly after, thanks to some great teamwork at the back. Caicedo made a strong run from his own half and sent an impressive pass to Jackson using the outside of his foot. However, the striker was knocked down in the penalty area, but the referee ignored the claim for a foul.

In the second half, Chelsea intensified their offensive efforts and nearly scored again when Jackson sent a shot curling past the goal from within the penalty area.

The home team kept posing a challenge, and after Colwill was unfairly called for a mistake just outside our penalty area, they quickly took a short free-kick. Antoine Semenyo then sent a curling shot just above the crossbar.

Ryan Christie was the next to take a shot, but once more, Sanchez came up with a remarkable save. He dove to his right and managed to deflect the low shot with his fingertips, causing the ball to hit the outside of the post.

Chelsea seemed poised to score the first goal in the 66th minute when Cucurella made a run to the edge of the box and delivered a low cross. This resulted in a chaotic moment inside the penalty area, and when the ball fell to Jackson just eight yards away, his shot looked destined for the bottom corner—if not for a remarkable diving stop by Marcos Senesi that saved the goal.

Veiga had a shot stopped at one end, and Bournemouth managed to block another at the opposite end. In the end, however, the Blues' depth in talent made the difference.

Sancho and Felix had already made a noticeable difference after being subbed in, and then Nkunku, just seven minutes after joining the match, netted what turned out to be the decisive goal. Sancho set up the play by passing to the forward, who skillfully maneuvered past his defender and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner from ten yards away.

Sanchez was outstanding the whole match and made another impressive save, deflecting a low shot from Alex Scott to help Chelsea secure all three points as they left the coast.

After the final whistle, the Blues players made their way to our enthusiastic fans, and Sancho was one of those who received a warm and exciting welcome following his impressive debut.

Chelsea's win propelled the team into seventh place in the Premier League standings after four matches. They are now just a point away from the Champions League spots and two points behind second-placed Liverpool.

The Blues have a week off before their upcoming match, which will see them traveling a short distance to East London to take on West Ham United.

Chelsea's lineup featured Sanchez in goal, while the defense included Disasi (substituted by Tosin at the 61st minute), Fofana, Colwill, and Cucurella. In midfield, Caicedo served as captain alongside Veiga. The attacking trio consisted of Madueke (Felix replaced him in the 61st minute), Palmer, and Neto, who was substituted by Sancho at halftime. Jackson led the attack, with Nkunku coming on for him in the 79th minute. The unused substitutes for Chelsea were Jorgensen, Badiashile, Casadei, Mudryk, and Guiu. Nkunku scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute. Notable bookings included Fofana in the 31st minute, Cucurella in the 36th, Sanchez in the 37th, Jackson in the 52nd, Colwill in the 58th, Sancho in the 58th, and Veiga in the 87th.

Bournemouth's lineup consisted of Travers, Smith (captain) who was substituted for Araujo in the 75th minute, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Cook, and Christie, who was replaced by Scott in the 68th minute. Semenyo, Kluivert, who came off for Billing in the 75th, Tavernier, who was substituted for Unal in the 83rd minute, and Evanilson, who left the field for Sinisterra in the 67th, rounded out the team. The players who did not get any game time included Dennis, Huijsen, Hill, and Brooks. Players booked during the match were Christie in the 18th minute, Cook in the 35th, Smith in the 38th, Kluivert in the 59th, and Senesi in the 80th.