Christopher Nkunku’s clever finish four minutes from time gave Chelsea victory at Bournemouth as the Blues survived their opponents missing a penalty and hitting the woodwork twice to make it two wins from two away games in the Premier League.
Forward Nkunku collected debutant Jadon Sancho’s pass, spun between his markers inside the penalty area and found the far corner of the net to send his side seventh in the table.
Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie hit the frame of Robert Sanchez’s goal and Bournemouth record signing Evanilson had a first-half penalty saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper as the Cherries suffered a first defeat of the season they will feel aggrieved by.
Chelsea are next in action at West Ham on September 21 (12.30pm BST). Bournemouth visit Liverpool on the same day (3pm).
🎙️ “When you can bring on class, that’s what can happen.”
Brilliant from Christopher Nkunku 👏🔵 pic.twitter.com/4obtOO7IOb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
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Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Yellow cards
Despite only having 33% of possession, Bournemouth had seven of the 10 shots on target and were unfortunate not to at least preserve their unbeaten record.
Sanchez made a string of fine saves, while Nkunku showed his clinical side by scoring seven minutes after replacing Nicolas Jackson.
“I’m very proud of the performance and we had more chances than them,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
Saturday night W. 🥳#CFC | #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/NoNFO9LDsA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2024
“They had more of the ball in a situation where it wasn’t dangerous. Their keeper played very well. Against this kind of opposition, if you don’t take your chances and you miss a penalty, you feel like they will punish you and they did in the end.
“We can’t ask much more of our players. We have to keep in the same way and try to make these final attempts better.”
Bournemouth: Evanilson ‘very good’
“I will not value [Evanilson’s] performance because he has scored,” added Iraola. “He has had a lot of chances.
“He created the penalty and he has been very good. He wants to score, for sure, but I will not focus on this. I am very happy with his performance.”
There were also a Premier League-record 14 yellow cards and a first assist in England since May 2023 for Sancho, who last set up a goal for parent club Manchester United against Chelsea.
Sancho, who moved to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan from United on transfer deadline day, replaced £54 million summer signing Pedro Neto at half-time and found Nkunku with a low pass from the left for the winner.
