Chelsea headed into the match on a poor run of form that had seen them slip down to 8th in the division ahead of the Premier League return.
As a result, Graham Potter and co. will have been desperate to grab three points on Tuesday.
And when all was said and done, Chelsea came away with the three points.
Chelsea started the better of the two sides and had a penalty shout 11 minutes in but it was waved away by the ref and VAR did not overturn the decision.
But Chelsea would take the lead 15 minutes in. Mason Mount played in Raheem Sterling who put the ball across the box for an onrushing Kai Havertz whose shot went under the keeper.
Chelsea’s pressure continued after the opener, with Mason Mount getting their second goal. Mount found Zakaria in the box, with the ball eventually coming back out to the midfielder who curled in a lovely effort.
Chelsea’s grip on the game was loosened somewhat in the second 45 but they still largely kept Bournemouth at bay. Reece James was also taken off after 50 minutes due to an injury, though it did not appear to be anything too serious.
Despite this, Bournemouth were unable to really test the west Londoners during the remainder of the game.
📰 Table Of Contents
Player ratings
Chelsea
- GK: Kepa (6)
- RB: Reece James (7)
- CB: Thiago Silva (6.5)
- CB: Kalidou Koulibably (6.5)
- LB: Marc Cucurella (6)
- CM: Jorginho (6.5)
- CM: Dennis Zakaria (7.5)
- CAM: Mason Mount (7.5)
- RW: Christian Pulisic (7)
- ST: Kai Havertz (8)
- LW: Raheem Sterling (7.5)
Substitutes
- Cesar Azpilicutea (5.5)
- Conor Gallagher (N/A)
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (N/A)
- Trevoh Chalobah (N/A)
Bournemouth
- GK: Mark Travers (5)
- RB: Adam Smith (5.5)
- CB: Marcos Senesi (5)
- CB: Llyod Kelly (5.5)
- LB: Jordan Zemura (5)
- RM: Jack Stacey (4.5)
- CM: Lewis Cook (6)
- CM: Jefferson Lerma (5)
- LM: Philip Billing (5.5)
- ST: Dominic Solanke (4.5)
- ST: Kiefer Moore (4.5)
Substitutes
- Jaidon Anthony (4.5)
- Ryan Christie (N/A)
- Siriki Dembele (N/A)
Match reaction
Why couldn’t Thiago silva be 10 years younger man 😅😭
— L (@cfcjvy) December 27, 2022
Havertz entered his villain era after this. pic.twitter.com/OrtC99YRal
— malik (@malikontw1tter) December 27, 2022
Chelsea players look like they’ve had a pre season under Graham Potter. The positioning and decision making on which pass to play is much better.
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) December 27, 2022
✔ Goal
✔ Assist
That’s Kai Havertz we know #CheBou pic.twitter.com/jyrXllOCr7— Dan Akala (@DunMunanga) December 27, 2022
Kai Havertz and Mason Mount on the scoresheet.
Things you love to see 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Dl1xmN1PRA
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) December 27, 2022
Chelsea have scored more goals (2) in the first half against Bournemouth than they had in the first half of their last 6 games in the Premier League (1).
Started quickly. 💥 pic.twitter.com/fOQuJCkPJu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 27, 2022
