Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Premier League 2024 Detailed Analysis

Final Score: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea

Overview

The Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Chelsea on September 14, 2024, at the Vitality Stadium was a tightly contested affair that ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Chelsea. The match was notable for setting a new Premier League record for yellow cards, with 14 bookings handed out by referee Anthony Taylor. The game was decided by a late goal from Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku, assisted by Jadon Sancho, who made a significant impact on his debut for the Blues.

Key Moments and Tactical Analysis

First Half

• Early Pressure from Bournemouth: Bournemouth started the game strongly, with Marcus Tavernier hitting the crossbar with a powerful strike from 25 yards in the fourth minute. The Cherries continued to press, exploiting Chelsea's right side where Axel Disasi struggled as a makeshift right-back.
• Penalty Incident: The pivotal moment of the first half came in the 37th minute when a poor back pass from Wesley Fofana put Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez under pressure. Sanchez fouled Bournemouth's record-signing Evanilson, conceding a penalty. However, Sanchez redeemed himself by saving Evanilson's spot-kick, keeping the score level.
• Chelsea's Struggles: Chelsea found it difficult to create clear-cut chances, with Nicolas Jackson missing a notable opportunity when he shot straight at Bournemouth's goalkeeper Mark Travers. The Blues' midfield, particularly Renato Veiga, looked off the pace, and their forwards were well-contained by Bournemouth's defense.

Second Half

• Sancho's Introduction: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made a crucial substitution at halftime, bringing on Jadon Sancho for Pedro Neto. Sancho immediately injected energy and creativity into Chelsea's attack, combining well with Marc Cucurella and creating several chances.
• Continued Bournemouth Threat: Bournemouth continued to threaten, with Justin Kluivert forcing another good save from Sanchez and Ryan Christie's deflected shot hitting the post. Despite their dominance, the Cherries were unable to find the back of the net.
• Late Winner: The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Sancho, showing his quality and vision, threaded a pass to Nkunku. The French forward muscled his way past Bournemouth's center-backs Iliya Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi before slotting the ball into the bottom corner, securing a late victory for Chelsea.

Player Performances

Chelsea

• Robert Sanchez (9/10): The standout performer for Chelsea, Sanchez made several crucial saves, including the penalty stop that kept his team in the game.
• Jadon Sancho (8/10): Made an immediate impact off the bench, providing the assist for the winning goal and being named Man of the Match.
• Christopher Nkunku (7/10): Came on late but made the most of his opportunity, scoring the only goal of the match.
• Axel Disasi (3/10): Struggled defensively and was eventually substituted. His performance highlighted Chelsea's vulnerability on the right side.
• Wesley Fofana (3/10): Had a shaky game, including the error that led to the penalty. His performance was below par, contributing to Chelsea's defensive frailties.

Bournemouth

• Evanilson (4/10): Worked hard and won the penalty but failed to convert it, which proved costly for his team.
• Marcus Tavernier (6/10): Was a constant threat, hitting the crossbar early on and creating several chances.
• Justin Kluivert (6/10): Showed flashes of brilliance and forced a good save from Sanchez but couldn't find the net.
• Ryan Christie (6/10): Played with high energy and was involved in several attacking moves, though his decision-making was sometimes questionable.

Tactical Insights

• Chelsea's Defensive Issues: Chelsea's defense looked vulnerable, particularly on the right side where Disasi struggled. The absence of regular full-backs like Malo Gusto and Reece James was felt, and Fofana's error-prone performance added to the instability.
• Bournemouth's High Press: Bournemouth's high pressing game caused problems for Chelsea, forcing errors and creating opportunities. However, their lack of clinical finishing in the final third ultimately cost them the game.
• Impact of Substitutions: Maresca's substitutions, particularly the introduction of Sancho, were pivotal. Sancho's creativity and ability to unlock defenses were crucial in breaking the deadlock.

Conclusion

The match between Bournemouth and Chelsea was a hard-fought contest that could have gone either way. Bournemouth will rue their missed opportunities, particularly the penalty miss by Evanilson. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be relieved to have secured three points despite not