Jadon Sancho’s arrival inspires Chelsea smash-and-grab victory at Bournemouth
There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Chelsea opted to add Jadon Sancho to their already stacked forward line by signing the winger from Manchester United, but his second-half cameo in the win over Bournemouth suggests this could be the fresh start he needs to finally come good on his potential.
The winger, introduced as a half-time substitute for Pedro Neto, proved to be the difference for his new side on his debut for the club, picking out another substitute in Christopher Nkunku with a fine pass for the striker to turn and finish low into the corner to snatch all three points for the Blues.
Sancho was tipped to be the next big English star after signing for Manchester United for £70 million in 2021, but failed to make the impact expected of him during a tricky spell at Old Trafford and spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
But at Chelsea, Sancho has the opportunity to start anew in the Premier League, and despite the significant competition he faces for a first-team spot, it is an opportunity he looks ready to take. “It is amazing to make my debut for Chelsea. Just being back playing I’m very grateful,” he said afterwards.
“I’ve been working hard for this moment and I’m just happy that I got my chance. I had a great end to last season being in the Champions League final. I’m just happy to make my debut for Chelsea.
“I have to thank all the staff and my team-mates. The first day I came in, they made me feel welcome and I’m so happy to feel this comfortable.”
Nkunku’s late winner off the bench was a real smash and grab for Enzo Maresca’s side, who were second-best to a Bournemouth team who created, and missed, several excellent opportunities to score. Most of all, Evanilson’s first-half penalty, which was well saved by Robert Sánchez after the goalkeeper had brought down the Bournemouth striker following a poor back-pass from Wesley Fofana.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will be left wondering how his side were not able to punish Chelsea for their numerous mistakes. They twice hit the woodwork, first through Marcus Tavernier’s powerful strike from distance which cannoned off the bar and then again in the second half when Sánchez got a fingertip on Ryan Christie’s strike to push it on to the post.
Chelsea head coach Maresca has been keen to stress that his main goal this season is to see the team develop their level of performance and the possession-based style of play he wants from his team, insisting that no expectations of qualifying for European football have been placed on him by those above.
for all the money invested and despite their late victory, Chelsea are still very much a work in progress. The team made positive steps forward last season under Mauricio Pochettino, finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa Conference League but under another new boss, it does feel like the team is starting over again.
They should have been punished for their mistakes in the first half. After hitting the bar early on, Tavernier spurned another good opportunity when he got in down the left but could only shoot straight at Sánchez when he should really have done better. Sánchez was also called into action again to deny Justin Kluivert’s powerful first-time strike at goal.
It appeared as though Bournemouth’s moment had finally come when Fofana’s dreadful back-pass resulted in Sánchez bringing down forward Evanilson but he produced an excellent diving stop from the spot-kick to keep the scores level.
A new Premier League record in Bournemouth 🆚 Chelsea 👀 pic.twitter.com/XvuTJqokpe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
Chelsea were second best to the home side but did have their moments, with Nicolas Jackson producing a good stop from Mark Travers after being slipped through on goal by Levi Colwill.
Christie went agonisingly close when his low strike clipped the post in the second half but Bournemouth’s inability to score always left them vulnerable to a late goal against the run of play.
Sancho’s enterprise was a positive for Chelsea in an underwhelming team display and, in Nkunku, Maresca has an attacking player who is clinical enough to take the one chance he gets.
There have been countless times over the past two-and-a-bit seasons where Chelsea failed to win games when they should have done, so it will perhaps be a relief to supporters to see them triumph undeservedly.
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10:32 PM BST
Andoni Iraolo: I will not talk about the referee
I think we played really well. The players understood what we had to do and we had many more chances than them. But you have to make it count. For me their keeper was the best player on the pitch.
We didn’t allow them time on the ball. We had more everything: more shots, more corners... but all that matters is the score.
[On the penalty] Evan and Justin are normally the ones who have this responsibility and they decided to go with Evan. It wasn’t a bad penalty and you have to give credit to the keeper.
[On Evanilson] He was dangerous. I took him off because he ran out of energy, but I’m happy because he played very well.
[On the yellow cards] I will not talk about the referee. I’ve been talking and it’s not working, so let’s wait and see it anything happens.
[Was it an aggressive and violent football match?] No, I will not talk!
10:23 PM BST
Enzo Maresca’s verdict
In the first half we struggled: we didn’t win duels or second balls. In the second half we were much better. In these kinds of games you have to show the desire to win and we did. You can’t come here and expect to win without getting your kit dirty.
This is football. Against Crystal Palace we deserved to win the game and we didn’t.
[On Jadon Sancho] I don’t see problems around Jadon or Joao. They are very good players and I knew that. All thbe noise around Jadon, I don’t care. He’s polite, he’s training very well on and off the ball.
10:09 PM BST
Sancho: Everyone has made me feel welcome
Here’s some reaction from the two men who combined for the winning goal.
Jadon Sancho
It’s amazing to make my debut for Chelsea. I’m very grateful to be back playing. I thought the team played very well – we dug in and we’re happy with the three points.
I’ve been working hard for this moment and I’m just happy I got my chance. I had a great end to last season and I wanted to make a good start to this season as well.
I have to say thank you to all the staff and my team-mates. From the moment I came here they’ve made me feel very welcome.
Christopher Nkunku
When he sent me on, the manager told me we needed a bit of quality in the box - and to enjoy it. It was a good ball from Jadon. I got a little bit lucky, because there were three defenders there, but I scored.
[On the balloon celebration] I do it for my son, he likes it.
We are a bit club, with big players, so it’s very competitive. We have to work hard in training every day.
"I've been working hard for this moment" 💪
Jadon Sancho after assisting on his dream debut for Chelsea 💬 pic.twitter.com/VFKPNMtPo4— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
09:54 PM BST
FT: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
Christopher Nkunku’s late goal gives Chelsea a flattering, hard-fought win at the Vitality Stadium. It was made by another substitute, the impressive Jadon Sancho, and his performance will give Chelsea plenty of encouragement.
Bournemouth had te better chances until the goal. Marcus Tavernier hit the bar, Ryan Christie the post and Evanilson’s penalty was superbly saved by Robert Sanchez. There were also 14 yellow cards, a Premier League record that shouldn’t belong to a niggly but not particularly spiteful game.
09:53 PM BST
90+6 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
Semenyo is booked, I think for dissent. That’s No14 for Anthony Taylor!
09:52 PM BST
90+5 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
Sanchez makes one last save, getting down smartly to his right to push away Unal’s 20-yard shot.
09:49 PM BST
90+1 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea1
Six minutes of added time. Joao Felix is booked for a tactical foul, the 13th yellow card of the game. That either equals or beats the Premier League record, which is hard to reconcile with the lack of bad tackles. But there has been loads of cynicism.
09:46 PM BST
89 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1
Semenyo’s shot is really well blocked by Colwill. This would be a tremendous result for Chelsea, especially as they haven’t kepta clean sheet away from home in something like 19 games.
09:42 PM BST
Goal!
86 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1 (Nkunku) Christopher Nkunku has mugged Bournemouth! Jadon Sancho, on the left, slipped a very good angled pass into Nkunku just inside the area. He turned, wriggled away from Senesi - who didn’t do enough - and slotted the ball across Travers.
Nkunku celebrates by blowing a blue balloon towards the Chelsea fans. Renato Veiga jumped in with the fans and started behaving like a teenager in a moshpit. He’s booked.
🎙️ "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
09:41 PM BST
84 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Sinisterra cuts inside and has a shot blocked. It’s nwo Bournemouth who are on top.
09:40 PM BST
83 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Bournemouth substitution Enes Unal, a very impressive striker, replaces Marcus Tavernier.
09:39 PM BST
82 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Cucurella, who has been booked (who hasn’t?), cynically shoves Scott over 35 yards from goal. It’s a yellow card all night long, but Anthony Taylor decides against it. Andoni Iraola can’t believe Cucurella is still on the pitch.
09:37 PM BST
81 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Senesi joins the Yellow Card Club for a foul on Joao Felix.
09:37 PM BST
79 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea substitution Christopher Nkunku replaces the willing, if not always able, Nicolas Jackson. I do think there’s a player in there, and his attitude is great, but he’s not yet ready to be Chelsea’s first-choice No9.
09:35 PM BST
78 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
A long crossfield pass reaches Joao Felix in the area, but his first touch takes him slightly away from goal and the attack peters out. It was a very difficult ball to control cleanly, even for Joao Felix.
Moments later, Renato Veiga hits a wobbling 25-yarder that is held by Travers.
09:33 PM BST
77 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Bournemouth appeal for handball when Billing’s cutback hits the sliding Caicedo in the area. The flag then goes up for offside, so whatever happened afterwards doesn’t matter.
09:32 PM BST
75 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Double substitution for Bournemouth Julian Araujo and Philip Billing replace a weary Adam Smith and Justin Kluivert.
09:29 PM BST
73 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea are having their best spell of the second half, with Sancho looking sharp. Play continues even with two balls on the pitch, until eventually Renato Veiga gets ride of the rogue one.
09:25 PM BST
68 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Double substitution for Bournemouth Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra on, Evanilson and Ryan Christie off.
09:24 PM BST
67 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Sancho plays another good pass to the underlapping Cucurella, whose cutback eventually reaches Jackson. His shot on the turn is bravely blocked, I think by Zabarnyi, and goes behind for a corner.
Before the corner is delivered, Anthony Taylor takes the opportunity to book Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
09:21 PM BST
64 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Cole Palmer has been unusually quiet throughout but Enzo Maresca has understandably opted to leave him on, given what he is capable of, and was giving him plenty of instructions during that substitution break. Chelsea might need their talisman to pull something out of the hat if they are to leave here with three points. They are lucky to still be level.
09:20 PM BST
62 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Since you asked there have been 10 yellow cards, not counting the fitness coach. The home crowd appealed for an 11th when Sanchez touched the ball very close to the edge of the area. Anthony Taylor waved play on, and because it would only be a second yellow VAR can’t get involved. We haven’t seen a replay anyway.
09:18 PM BST
62 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Double substitution for Chelsea Joao Felix and Tosin Adarabioyo come on for Noni Madueke and Axel Disasi. That means Palmer moves to the right wing and Fofana to right-back.
09:16 PM BST
60 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Now Kluivert is booked for fouling Madueke. I’ve lost count.
09:16 PM BST
59 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Christie hits the post! Bournemouth are getting closer. Semenyo’s cross deflects towards Christie, backing up the play on the edge of the area. He threads a low shot through the crowd that hits the outside of the post and goes behind.
The referee gives a corner, so maybe it brushed Sanchez’s fingertips en route. If it did that’s a terrific save.
09:15 PM BST
58 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Tavernier lays the free-kick square to Semenyo, who booms a curling shot just over the bar from 25 yards. Excellent effort.
09:14 PM BST
57 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Colwill is booked for a challenge on Semenyo just outside the area, then Sancho gets a yellow card for dissent. Colwill did get the ball, albeit with an awkward challenge.
09:13 PM BST
55 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Excellent play from Sancho, who teases Smith on the left edge of the area then flicks the ball back to the unmarked Jackson. He whips a curling shot just over the bar.
09:10 PM BST
53 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Evanilson has a goal disallowed for offside. It was a good header, flicked into the far corner, but everyone knew he was offside.
09:09 PM BST
52 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Very good save by Sanchez! Kluivert charges into the area from the left, cuts away from Fofana and hits an early shot despite being off balance. Sanchez plunges to his right to push it round the near post. That’s his best save in open play.
In other news, Nicolas Jackson has been booked, I think for diving. (Edit: it was for dissent. He complained about not being giving a free-kick when he dived on the edge of the Bournemouth area.)
09:06 PM BST
49 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Bournemouth’s fitness coach Pablo de la Torre is the latest man to be booked by Anthony Taylor. There are a lot of angry people down by the sea tonight.
09:06 PM BST
47 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chance for Chelsea! Sancho’s first contribution is a simple but penetrative return pass to Cucurella in the area. His cross just evades Jackson and flashes across the face before being cleared.
09:05 PM BST
47 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
The dangerous Tavernier beats two players on the left and crosses towards Evanilson. Fofana steps in to make a good interception on the edge of the area.
09:02 PM BST
46 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Bournemouth get the second half under way.
09:02 PM BST
Chelsea substitution: Sancho on for Neto
Jadon Sancho was being put through his paces at the half-time break and is out there in his kit receiving instructions from the coaching staff. Looks like he’s set to enter the pitch for the second half.
08:48 PM BST
HT: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Evansilon’s cross-shot on the turn goes not far wide of the far post. That’s the last kick of a lively, occasionally spiteful first half. Chelsea dominated possession but Bournemouth came closest to scoring. Marcus Tavernier rattled tjhe crossbar early on and Evanilson had a penalty suprrbly saved by Robert Sanchez.
Evanilson wins a penalty for Bournemouth after being brought down by Robert Sanchez...
... before the Chelsea keeper denies him from the spot and the scores stay level! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/DksKRA5jun— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
08:46 PM BST
45 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Almost every one of Sanchez’s team-mates ran up to him to praise him after that penalty save. It looked as though it would be another tough moment in a Chelsea shirt for the goalkeeper but he has ensured another one of Chelsea’s mistakes goes unpunished with that magnificent stop.
08:45 PM BST
44 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
An imperfect clearance is colleced by Cook, 25 yards out. He controls the ball and cuts across a good effort that flashes a couple of yards wide of the far post. Sanchez probably had it covered.
08:44 PM BST
43 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Lewis Cook, who has been booked, is late on Cole Palmer. Chelsea players enquire what he’s still doing on the pitch. It was a foul but not sufficient for a second yellow card.
There’s a surprising amount of needle in this game.
08:39 PM BST
Sanchez saves Evanilson’s penalty!
38 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0 It’s a brilliant save from Sanchez, one-handed low to his left. Evanilson hit the penalty pretty well, striking through the ball, but he probably telegraphed it and that allowed Sanchez to gain a crucial split-second. Even so, it was a terrific stop.
08:38 PM BST
37 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Penalty to Bournemouth! Evanilson beats Sanchez to an awful backpass from Fofana, lobs it over him and is taken out. Evanilson’s shot wasn’t going in but that doesn’t matter: it’s a penalty and a yellow card for Sanchez.
Adam Smith has also been booked in the fallout.
08:37 PM BST
36 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Cook is booked for fouling Palmer, then Cucurella is booked for dissent.
08:36 PM BST
34 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Good save by Travers! Chelsea’s first shot on target is a sharp effort from Jackson, who ran onto a nice through ball from Colwill and took the shot early from about 12 yards. Travers got down smartly to block.
08:34 PM BST
32 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Enzo Maresca looks rather calm on the touchline but he will surely be frustrated by the mistakes and sloppiness he is seeing from his side. Kluivert’s big chance all came from a mix-up over on the right, with Disasi leaving the ball for Fofana who was nowhere near being able to get there. Surely Bournemouth will punish them eventually?
08:31 PM BST
31 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Fofana is booked for catching Evanilson ever so slightly with his arm as they prepared to challenge for a high ball. Bit harsh.
08:30 PM BST
30 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Madueke beats his man thrillingly on the halfway line, runs to the edge of the D and then plays in Jackson. He takes a touch, which allows Senesi to get back and block his shot.
The flag went up against Jackson after that Sensei block, though it looked pretty tight. Probably just off.
08:29 PM BST
28 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea have had around 70 per cent possession, though it’s Bournemouth who have come closest to scoring. It’s an intriguing game.
08:25 PM BST
25 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
There’s a bit of off-the-ball aggro between Cucurella and Semenyo. Anthony Taylor settles for words rather than cards.
08:24 PM BST
23 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Good save by Sanchez! The game is being played at an excellent pace, particularly when Bournemouth have the ball. Tavernier loses Disasi with ease on the left and crosses towards Evanilson, who cushions the ball back towards the onrushing Kluivert. He slams a shot into the ground that kicks up and is pushed away by Sanchez, diving to his right.
Evanilson collects the loose ball but he was offside when Kluivert took the shot. Had Kluivert scored it might have been disallowed anyway as Evanilson was close to Sanchez.
08:21 PM BST
20 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
After a good move sparked by a run forward from Fofana, Madueke’s mishit shot ricochets dangerously around the Bournemouth area before being cleared. Chelsea are starting to find some rhythm in possession.
08:19 PM BST
18 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chance for Bournemouth! Another terrific break from the home side. The ball is moved smoothly through midfield, then across to Tavernier in the inside-left channel. His shot from the edge of the area is a bit tame and straight at Sanchez.
Moments later, Christie is booked for a foul on Palmer, who had beaten him skilfully on the halfway line.
08:18 PM BST
17 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Madueke cuts inside from the right and has a go from 22 yards. Throw-in to Bournemouth.
08:14 PM BST
13 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea are starting to get on the ball, Palmer in particular, but Bournemouth are always dangerous in transition. Semenyo reminds Chelsea of that threat, dragging a shot not far wide from 25 yards.
08:12 PM BST
12 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Midfielder Renato Veiga looks very nervous on his first Premier League start. He was dispossessed early on which allowed Bournemouth to get in down the right and it was his sliced attempted pass which resulted in Marcus Tavernier going so close to opening the scoring, hitting the bar with his strike from distance. Chelsea need a lot better from him.
OFF THE BAR!
What a hit from Marcus Tavernier ☄️ pic.twitter.com/bxrZd68mcg— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
08:09 PM BST
8 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Tavernier lobs an early cross towards Evanilson, who gets above Fofana (I think) but can only flick a difficult header across the six-yard box rather than towards goal. Bournemouth have started at a cracking pace.
08:07 PM BST
7 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
A loose pass from Christie goes straight to Madueke, 25 yards from goal. He dummies to shoot, twists outside Kerkez and hits a low shot that deflects behind for a corner.
08:05 PM BST
4 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Tavernier hits the bar! Bournemouth have started very well and almost take the lead when Marcus Tavernier, found in space, hits a sizzling shot across goal from 25 yards. Sanchez leaps to his left but can’t get near it and the ball thunders off the top of the bar.
08:02 PM BST
2 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Semenyo releases the overlapping Christie, whose cross is turned behind by Cucurella for an early Bournemouth corner. Nothing comes of it.
08:01 PM BST
1 min: Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0
Cole Palmer has the first touch of the match, with Chelsea kick from left to right as we watch.
07:48 PM BST
Whatever happened to the Chelsea pensioners?
The average age of tonight’s Chelsea side is 23 and a half, almost two years younger than any other Premier League club in this fledgling season.
07:46 PM BST
Enzo Maresca speaks to Sky Sports
The good thing is that, game after game, we are improving and that’s the most important thing.
Bournemouth are very aggressive: the way they press, the way they go man to man. I expect that tonight.
07:44 PM BST
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaks
Chelsea are a very difficult team to defend against because they have quality on the ball, they are good at building up from the back and they take positions that are not easy.
"They have the quality on the ball"
Andoni Iraola speaks about the tactical challenge of facing Chelsea 🧠 pic.twitter.com/T3pUgmCFA0— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
07:43 PM BST
A reminder of tonight’s teams
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Subs: Dennis, Huijsen, Brooks, Scott, Sinisterra, Araujo, Hill, Unal, Billing.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Veiga; Madueke, Palmer, Pedro Neto; Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Mudryk, Joao Felix, Nkunku, Sancho, Casadei, Guiu.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
07:34 PM BST
Full time: Aston Villa 3-2 Everton
A screamer from the substitute Jhon Duran gave Villa a memorable victory over Everton, who have now lost consecutive Premier League games after leading 2-0.
07:29 PM BST
A big night for Renato Veiga
A first #PL start, loading... 💪#CFC | #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/cp9TwPl5Hk
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2024
07:18 PM BST
Latest score: Aston Villa 3-2 Everton
Aston Villa have come from 2-0 down to lead Everton in a cracking game at Villa Park. You can follow the last 15 minutes of that with Luke Slater’s minute-by-minute report.
07:15 PM BST
Maresca doesn’t fear sack because of owners’ feud
By Matt Law
Enzo Maresca has insisted he is not worried that he could become a casualty of the fall-out between co-owners Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly.
Clearlake, headed by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano, and Boehly want to buy each other’s Chelsea shares with Boehly believing the working relationship between the co-owners has reached breaking point.
Both sides want a fast resolution with Clearlake insisting they already have the capital ready to secure a full takeover and Boehly confident he can secure the financial backing to buy the shares of Clearlake, who are adamant they will not sell.
06:50 PM BST
Chelsea team news: Palmer starts, Sancho on the bench
Enzo Maresca makes two changes, both enforced: Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga replace the injured Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez. It looks like Veiga will play in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo. Cole Palmer, who pulled out of the England squad with muscular fatigue, is fit to start.
Team sheet for Bournemouth (A). 📋#CFC | #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/Yzfj2OmXgE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2024
06:49 PM BST
Bournemouth team news: Travers starts in goal
Kepa Arrizabalaga is ineligible against his parent club, so Mark Travers is in goal for Bournemouth. Adam Smith replaces Julian Araujo in the only other change from that crazy win at Everton.
Your team for #BOUCHE 🍒🍒 pic.twitter.com/LkT0fxIH2x
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 14, 2024
06:49 PM BST
The story so far
Bournemouth
Nottm Forest (A) 1-1
Newcastle (H) 1-1
Everton (A) 3-2
Chelsea
Manchester City (H) 0-2
Wolves (A) 6-2
Crystal Palace (H) 1-1
06:45 PM BST
Good evening
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live minute-by-minute coverage of Bournemouth v Chelsea, the last lap of today’s Premier League marathon. This should be a good game between two attacking teams who have both pulled off a remarkable victory in this fledgling Premier League season. Chelsea routed Wolves 6-2 at Molineux, while Bournemouth came from 2-0 down after 86 minutes to win at Goodison Park before the international break.
Jadon Sancho is likely to make his Chelsea debut at some stage after joining from Manchester United on the final day of the transfer window, though it’s not immediately clear where he fits in a squad that is full of talented wide attackers.
“I don’t consider Jadon a risk,” said the Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca at his pre-match press conference. “He’s a player who can help us. Whatever’s happened with Erik (ten Hag), I have no idea. I can only judge the player on the weeks he’s been with us. He’s been perfect.
“We need more accuracy, more quality and passion, he’s that sort of player. He’s a quality player in the last third. He’s an accurate player whose last pass and assist is very good. He’s a player who arrives and when he has to finish the action or assist is very good.”
Maresca inevitably swerved questions about the civil war that is threatening to break out behind the scenes at Chelsea, with majority stakeholder Behdad Eghbali and minority holder Todd Boehly at loggerheads. “I’m not concerned or worried about this because I don’t know what’s going to happen and in case something happens (between Eghbali and Boehly) then I’m not sure if something will happen (with me), it’s too many things. My main focus is the pitch.”
Starting tonight at 8pm.
