Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Premier League 2024 Detailed Analysis

Final Score: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea

Overview

Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in a highly competitive and feisty Premier League encounter at the Vitality Stadium on September 14, 2024. The match was marked by a record number of yellow cards and a late winner from Chelsea's super-sub Christopher Nkunku, who was assisted by debutant Jadon Sancho.

Key Moments and Tactical Analysis

First Half

• Bournemouth's Early Dominance: Bournemouth started the game on the front foot, with Marcus Tavernier hitting the crossbar in the fourth minute. The Cherries were aggressive in their pressing, forcing Chelsea into errors and creating several chances.
• Penalty Drama: In the 36th minute, Bournemouth's Evanilson was brought down by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, resulting in a penalty. Sanchez, however, redeemed himself by saving Evanilson's spot-kick, keeping the score level.
• Chelsea's Struggles: Chelsea struggled to maintain possession and build up play effectively. Their defense was often disjointed, and they relied heavily on Sanchez to keep them in the game.

Second Half

• Sancho's Impact: Jadon Sancho was introduced at half-time, replacing Pedro Neto. His presence immediately lifted Chelsea's attacking threat. Sancho's dribbling and creativity on the left wing provided Chelsea with a much-needed spark.
• Nkunku's Late Winner: The breakthrough came in the 86th minute when Sancho threaded a precise pass to Nkunku, who showed great strength and composure to turn and slot the ball past Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers. This goal proved to be the match-winner.
• Record Yellow Cards: The match saw a Premier League record of 14 yellow cards, with referee Anthony Taylor showing eight to Chelsea players and six to Bournemouth. The game was littered with niggly fouls and dissent, contributing to the high card count.

Player Performances

Chelsea

• Robert Sanchez (8/10): Man of the match for his crucial penalty save and several other key stops. His performance was vital in securing the clean sheet.
• Jadon Sancho (8/10): Made an immediate impact off the bench, providing the assist for the winning goal and showing flashes of his best form.
• Christopher Nkunku (8/10): Came on as a substitute and scored the decisive goal, demonstrating his ability to make a difference in crucial moments.
• Marc Cucurella (7/10): Busy and effective in defense, though he was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card.
• Moises Caicedo (7/10): Worked hard in midfield, looking for defense-splitting passes and leading by example.

Bournemouth

• Marcus Tavernier: Impressive in attack, hitting the crossbar early on and constantly troubling Chelsea's defense.
• Evanilson: Missed a crucial penalty but was a constant threat to Chelsea's backline.
• Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook: Effective in midfield, breaking up Chelsea's play and creating opportunities for their team.

Tactical Insights

Chelsea

• Formation and Strategy: Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. They struggled in the first half due to Bournemouth's high press and aggressive play. The introduction of Sancho at half-time shifted the momentum in their favor.
• Defensive Resilience: Despite being under pressure for large parts of the game, Chelsea's defense, marshaled by Sanchez, held firm. The clean sheet ended a run of 17 Premier League away games without one.
• Substitutions: Maresca's substitutions were pivotal. Sancho and Nkunku's introductions provided the necessary attacking impetus to secure the win.

Bournemouth

• Formation and Strategy: Bournemouth also employed a 4-2-3-1 formation. They were the better side for much of the game, creating more chances and pressing Chelsea effectively.
• Missed Opportunities: The Cherries will rue their missed chances, including the penalty and efforts that hit the woodwork. Their inability to convert these opportunities ultimately cost them the game.
• Aggressive Pressing: Bournemouth's high press caused significant problems for Chelsea, forcing errors and creating scoring opportunities. However, their lack of clinical finishing was their downfall.

Post-Match Reactions

Enzo Maresca (Chelsea Manager)

• On the Performance: "First half we struggled, second half we were miles better. We didn't win many balls in the first half and you need that in this type of stadium against this team."
• On Sancho and Nkunku: "Jadon is a very good player and can help us. Nkunku showed great strength and composure to score the winner."

Andoni Iraola