Chelsea substitute Christopher Nkunku struck within the 86th minute to safe a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth in a sport affected by a Premier League report 14 yellow playing cards on Saturday.
Bournemouth twice struck the woodwork and Evanilson had a first-half penalty saved by Robert Sánchez.
However Chelsea completed the sport strongly and Nkunku, who got here on within the 79th minute, slotted dwelling from shut vary to make it two away wins out of two for the London aspect.
Chelsea moved as much as seventh with seven factors from 4 video games, whereas Bournemouth are eleventh with 5 factors.
Whereas it was not a completely convincing show by Enzo Maresca’s group who rode their luck within the first half, there have been loads of positives to remove from the south coast.
They ended a run of 17 Premier League away video games with out a clear sheet, gave a debut to on-loan Jadon Sancho who impressed as a second-half substitute and confirmed loads of resilience.
“First half we struggled, second half we had been miles higher,” Maresca mentioned. “We did not win many balls within the first half and also you want that in one of these stadium towards this group.”
Bournemouth, nonetheless, paid dearly for failing to take their possibilities.
“We had extra all the pieces, extra photographs, extra corners, however on the finish what actually issues is to attain and so they did it on the finish,” mentioned Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
A sport stuffed with possibilities and niggly fouls gave the impression to be heading for an unlikely stalemate till Sancho, on mortgage from Manchester United, threaded a ball in to Nkunku who confirmed nice power to show sharply and toe-poke a shot previous goalkeeper Mark Travers.
A sport stuffed with possibilities and niggly fouls gave the impression to be heading for an unlikely stalemate till Sancho, on mortgage from Manchester United, threaded a ball in to Nkunku who confirmed nice power to show sharply and toe-poke a shot previous keeper Mark Travers.
Sancho’s function within the objective capped an eye catching debut for the winger who acquired a runners-up medal from the Champions League closing whereas on mortgage at Borussia Dortmund final season.
“Jadon is an excellent participant and will help us,” Maresca mentioned. “Now all of the noise round him, I do not care. With us he is very well mannered, coaching nicely on and off the ball.”
Bournemouth had the higher of the primary half with Marcus Tavernier thumping a long-range effort towards the crossbar within the fourth minute.
Travers denied Nicolas Jackson on the different finish however Bournemouth seemed set to go in entrance when Brazilian Evanilson was bundled over by Chelsea keeper Sanchez within the thirty sixth minute.
Sanchez made amends although as he learn Evanilson’s spot kick nicely to maintain his aspect on degree phrases.
Chelsea despatched on Sancho within the second half instead of Pedro Neto and he confirmed flashes of his finest type.
However Bournemouth nonetheless seemed the extra more likely to rating with Sanchez saving from Justin Kluivert earlier than Ryan Christie noticed his side-footed effort strike the surface of the submit.
Chelsea weathered the storm although and Nkunku despatched the visiting followers dwelling joyful.
Whereas referee Anthony Taylor’s yellow card had a busy evening, a lot of the bookings had been for niggly fouls or for gamers back-chatting the official. Eight Chelsea gamers had been booked in all.
“It isn’t an issue for me with this quantity of yellow playing cards. It’s what it’s. Typically the sport calls for the way in which you must behave,” Maresca mentioned.