By the end, there was only one name being sang by the Chelsea supporters. It was that of Jadon Sancho, the Manchester United loanee whose half-time introduction changed the complexion of a contest that had appeared to be going Bournemouth’s way if anyone’s.
Up until his arrival, Chelsea had looked as united as their bickering boardroom, players arguing with one another as their intensity levels were nowhere near that of Andoni Iraola’s side.
Then entered Sancho, the version we saw at Borussia Dortmund as the 24-year-old made the left-hand side his own before setting up Christopher Nkunku to score in the 86th minute. His contribution as a substitute was so impactful that he was named man of the match.
This wasn’t a particularly feisty game – it was hardly an Old Firm – and yet it attracted the greatest number of yellow cards ever brandished in a Premier League match. Referee Anthony Taylor somehow produced 14, not even including those shown to coaching staff including Enzo Maresca.
Did Maresca care? Not a jot. He burst out of his technical area in celebration after seeing Nkunku collect Sancho’s ball, turn, squeeze between Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi, and beat Mark Travers. ‘I have the feeling that Jadon is a guy who needs love,’ Maresca said. ‘I know he has the desire to show the player that he is. We are happy for him.’
Nkunku struck late to secure a valuable three points for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Sanchez gave away a penalty in the first half when he clattered into the Cherries’ Evanilson
While the squabble between Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital is only likely to invite negativity, Chelsea know they can increase positivity by winning on the pitch, even if secured in an ugly way.
‘We knew we had to get our shirts dirty, win duels and fight,’ Maresca added. ‘If we are able to do this for 95 minutes, we win matches. You need different ways to win games.’
Bournemouth play with a clear plan under Iraola in how they press so vigorously that their opponents often surrender possession out of panic. One onlooker at the Vitality Stadium likened it to Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao when asked. ‘Only more intense,’ he added with a smile.
It did not take Chelsea long to discover that. With both Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall bedridden by illnesses, the imposing Renato Veiga was brought in alongside Moises Caicedo. Making his first Premier League start, the 6ft 3in Portuguese saw the ball snatched from him by Ryan Christie within 45 seconds. Chelsea survived the attack that followed, but it was the first of many instances when Bournemouth threatened to score after pinching possession.
Marcus Tavernier was enjoying himself down Bournemouth’s left, the visitors vulnerable in that area as they arrived with no healthy right backs. Malo Gusto joined Reece James on the injured list over the international break and rather than turn to Josh Acheampong, the academy’s highly-promising 18-year-old, Maresca opted for a centre back in Axel Disasi.
Disasi struggled here, his worst mistake arriving when he decided against chasing down a loose ball as he thought Wesley Fofana had it covered. Fofana was never going to get there in time and Robert Sanchez had to stop Justin Kluivert from scoring.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper was constantly called into action but after 33 minutes, the away team finally created a chance when Levi Colwill charged forward unopposed before setting up Nicolas Jackson. The striker blasted the ball straight at Travers, who was standing in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, the ineligible goalkeeper on loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea.
In the 37th minute, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Fofana’s back pass to Sanchez was short. Evanilson lifted the ball over Chelsea’s goalkeeper, who wiped him out. Whether harsh or not, Sanchez made a super save, diving low to his left to get a strong hand to deny Evanilson the opener. We may wish to give Cole Palmer an unofficial assist for that stop by Sanchez also, the England international having engaged in mind games by getting in Evanilson’s ear beforehand.
The introduction of Jadon Sancho at half-time swung the contest firmly in Chelsea’s favour
Sancho set up Nkunku’s winner and looked to make things happen out on the left wing
At half-time, Maresca brought on Sancho, who got to work immediately in creating chances while Sanchez continued to frustrate Bournemouth at the other end. In the 66th minute, Palmer was livid with Jackson when instead of teeing him up, he took aim, with Senesi making the block.
The Bournemouth supporters’ favourite song became ‘what a waste of money’ whenever a mistake was made by a Chelsea player. But the visitors began to get further forward as we entered the final 20 minutes, Sancho increasingly showing his creativity as he relished one-v-one opportunities.
It was from wide left that he passed to Nkunku, who then broke through the Bournemouth barrier to score. While credit must be given for how the 26-year-old Frenchman made sure he grabbed that goal, it was Sancho who won the love of Chelsea’s fans at full-time.
