Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to push Chelsea past Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Nkunku’s 86th-minute goal, cued up by fellow substitute and Chelsea debutant Jadon Sancho, gave Enzo Maresca’s side a 2-1-1 record. Their seven points are one back of the top four after four matches.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth were unbeaten so far and missed a first-half chance to take the lead when Evanilson won a penalty but couldn’t beat Robert Sanchez with his spot kick.
The Cherries’ five points are good for 11th on the Premier League table.
Jadon Sancho impresses on debut
Chelsea did not look the more likely to score in the first 45 minutes, but manager Enzo Maresca was not afraid to make a bold move at the break.
That was inserting new loan signing Jadon Sancho, a move that changed the game and helped deliver a win when the ex-Borussia Dortmund star assisted Christopher Nkunku’s winner. In fact, Sancho was named the Player of the Match.
Sancho did his best — sorry Chelsea fans — Raheem Sterling impression, driving directly at Bournemouth right back Adam Smith and eventually inspiring a Cherries change at right back.
The 24-year-old only missed on two of his pass attempts, and was credited with two created chances by fotmob. His performance felt bigger than that, and Maresca will have food for thought moving forward with his team selection.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Chelsea player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Chelsea player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Bournemouth go to Liverpool at 11am ET Saturday, while Chelsea have the early game that day. The Blues visit West Ham at 7:30am ET.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Saturday (September 14)
Venue: Vitality Stadium
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live updates — By Nick Mendola
Bournemouth vs Chelsea final score: 0-1
Christopher Nkunku 85'
Nkunku breaks through! Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea (86th minute)
The subs combine, and it’s no surprise to see Jadon Sancho play a role.
The England winger plays mind games with Julian Araujo, who had been put in the game due to Sancho’s success versus Smith.
Sancho hits an incisive pass to Nkunku, who still has plenty to do. He turns with the ball and locates it, pushing it inside the far post.
More changes
Chelsea plugs in Christopher Nkunku for Nicolas Jackson, who like many is on yellow.
Bournemouth had slid in Julian Araujo and Phillip Billing for Kluivert and Adam Smith a few minutes back.
Still scoreless, 80'.
Bournemouth subs
Here come Luis Sinisterra for Evanilson and Alex Scott for Ryan Christie. 0-0, 68'.
Chelsea subs
Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke exit for Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix. Still scoreless, 62'.
Near misses
Sancho has delivered two cutting passes off of ambitious dribbles.
The first was sent back across goal by Marc Cucurella and absent receiver, while the second was hammered toward goal by Nicolas Jackson and saved by Mark Travers.
Now Levi Colwill gets a yellow card after cutting down Semenyo outside the Chelsea 18. Free kick is.... played short and then sent just over the goal by Semenyo.
Ryan Christie then snaps a low shot just wide of the post on an ensuing break. A goal must be coming, right?
Jadon Sancho on
Pedro Neto’s off at halftime and it’s the new boy, Jadon Sancho, making his Chelsea debut.
Halftime — Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
Bournemouth haven’t seen a ton of the ball at their feet but they should be in front — Evanilson’s saved penalty has been joined by his near-miss on a dragged shot late in the half.
Chelsea have five shots to Bournemouth’s 11 but have produced little danger. We’re up to six total cards — three a-piece — as Adam Smith and Robert Sanchez went in the book late.
Chelsea have 69% of the ball but just 0.19 xG to Bournemouth’s 1.21. It’s been a really entertaining game and is promising plenty more.
Bournemouth penalty!
Evanilson uses a clever trick to tip the ball past an onrushing Sanchez, who cannot get out of the way and fells the Porto import.
Evanilson will take the penalty, and his solid penalty is saved by the left, lower paw of Sanchez.
Yellow cards coming
Marc Cucurella has been at the center of a scrappy affair, and now he’s become the fourth player on yellow.
Teammate Wesley Fofana is also in the book, as are both of the Cherries’ holding mids — Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook.
Robert Sanchez comes up big
Evanilson lays off a Tavernier cross for Justin Kluivert, and the Dutchman hammers a shot toward goal.
Sanchez falls right to parry it, and Evanilson is offside when he collects the rebound. Close.
James Tavernier tries the audacious
Oh my! Easily 30+ yards out from goal and on his left peg, James Tavernier says, “Why not?”
The Bournemouth man hammers a fourth-minute shot toward goal and beats Robert Sanchez only to clobber the cross bar.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea team news
Jadon Sancho is on the bench for the visitors, where he joins Christopher Nkunku.
Dango Ouattara misses out with an ankle injury, while Luis Sinisterra waits on the bench for Bournemouth. Enes Unal passes fit for the bench, too.
Bournemouth lineup
Travers, Kerkez, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Smith, Cook, Christie, Tavernier, Semenyo, Kluivert, Evanilson
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Veiga, Caicedo, Palmer, Madueke, Neto, Jackson.
Bournemouth focus, team news
The Cherries have Unal and Adams still unavailable through injury, while Kepa is unavailable as he’s on loan from Chelsea. The quartet of Evanilson, Semenyo, Kluivert and Tavernier are a handful in attack and will press high. Having Scott and Sinisterra to come off the bench offers plenty of creativity and options too.
OUT: Kepa Arrizabalaga (unable to face parent club), Tyler Adams (back), Dango Ouattara (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Philip Billing (back), Enes Unal (ankle),
Chelsea focus, team news
Chelsea have a few big injury concerns with Lavia working his way back to fitness, while Palmer and Gusto are also pushing to be fit. Palmer obviously makes Chelsea tick and if he is fit, having him start centrally ahead of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield makes perfect sense. That will allow any of Madueke, Neto, Jackson, Nkunku, Sancho, Mudryk and Felix (what a crazy array of options) to fly forward and expect expert delivery from midfield positions.
OUT: Reece James (hamstring), Malo Gusto (thigh), Romeo Lavia (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Cole Palmer (hip), Filip Jorgensen (other), Omari Kellyman (hamstring)
Bournemouth vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like it will be a bit of an upset. Chelsea are still early in their project and although they’ve shown some promising signs, they also look vulnerable when pressed high and Bournemouth will do that. The Cherries also have the quality on the counter to make the most of any Chelsea mistakes. Bournemouth 2-1 Chelsea.