The Premier League is back for Chelsea after an amazing World Cup tournament and the West London side welcomed Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge in a bid to get their campaign back on track. And that is exactly what the Blues did with a comfortable 2-0 victory.
The first half started in a very positive way for the home side pressing from the front and not letting the visitors settle down in the game. And the Blues were rewarded for their effort as Kai Havertz and Mason Mount scored in the 18th and 24th minute to given Blues the much needed lead and confidence. Graham Potter‘s men dominated the half as a whole but had those nervy moments where they looked vulnerable defensively.
The second half was more about managing the game for the Blues and chasing the game for the Cherries. The visiting outfit played much better in the second half, having a fair share of the possession and did create some half decent chances but couldn’t fully take them. Chelsea also got a few breaks on the counter but couldn’t extend their lead either ending the game at 2-0. Here’s how each CFC player faired in a much needed win against the Cherries:
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 7/10
Kepa Arrizabalaga coming back in the lineup after his injury had a very comfortable night. All in all, the Spaniard, whenever called into action, dealt with attempts very easily, some of which were straight at him.
2. Reece James (Right Back): 7/10
Another player coming back into the starting lineup after recovering from injury was Reece James and right form the start it was easy to see what the Blues had been missing. Both the goals of Chelsea started off from the right side and his crossing was ever so dangerous for the Bournemouth defense. In the second half, James was forced to come off due to an injury but it was encouraging to see him go off on his own. the fullback was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 6/10
Since his move to CFC Kalidou Koulibaly has been struggling with consistently showing his quality. The Senegalese international has showed it in bits and parts of the season and today also despite keeping a clean sheet, Koulibaly had his nervy moments were he gave away possession unnecessarily putting the defense under pressure.
4. Thiago Silva, Chelsea (Centerback): 7/10
In the opening stages of the game, the veteran didn’t look comfortable with his left knee and was hobbling a bit but that didn’t seem to affect his game as the Brazilian defender was as always on top of the situation. Another reassuring performance, despite a few nervy moments.
5. Marc Cucurella (Left Back): 8/10
Probably one of the best Chelsea players on the pitch today. The Spaniard can sometimes be a bit too eager to step out while defending. But always seems to be just at the right place at the right time while defending in the box. Today was again the same and Cucurella provided both the attacking threat and defensively stability for the Blues.
6. Denis Zakaria (Central Midfielder): 7/10
Denis Zakaria was handed his first Premier League start for the Blues and it is fair to say that he didn’t disappoint. Playing alongside Jorginho and Mason Mount in a midfield three, Zakaria did most of the mopping up of Jorginho’s bad passes and did well in intercepting and winning possession back for the Blues in the midfield. He was replaced by Conor Gallagher in the 82nd minute.
7. Jorginho (Central Midfielder): 7/10
The Italian midfielder back with the Blues does what he does best, controlling the tempo of the game and dominating the midfield. Jorginho did need the help of Zakaria to dominate the midfield tho.
8. Mason Mount (Central Midfielder): 8/10
Mason Mount seems to be back to his best at CFC, dictating the attacking game of the Blues. Mount was heavily involved in both the goals, setting up the play for the first and scoring a great curled effort from the edge of the box to double Chelsea’s lead. With the upcoming tough fixtures, Mount will be a key player for the Blues.
9. Raheem Sterling (Right Winger): 8/10
Raheem Sterling continued his great World Cup form and carried that to the Premier League. Sterling was a great outlet for the Blues from the right side of the wing putting in great crosses one of which helped Kai Havertz open the scoring for the Blues. Hopefully a start of something good for Chelsea attackers. Sterling was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah in the 88th minute.
10. Kai Havertz (Striker): 9/10
Havertz continued his good scoring form from the World Cup with an easy tap in finish for the German to open the scoring for the Blues. Shortly after that, Havertz setup Mount for the second goal. Havertz was a constant presence in the Bournemouth box, keeping the defenders under constant pressure.
11. Christian Pulisic ( Left Winger): 7/10
The American international after coming from an impressive World Cup tournament, has to cement his place in the Chelsea lineup. Having given the chance to start, Pulisic was very lively in the first half and should have a had a penalty for being pulled back in the box early in the first half. But throughout the game, Pulisic had chances to score but for one reason or another couldn’t score. But this performance did earn him another chance against Nottingham Forest. He was replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 82nd minute.
12. Cesar Azpilicueta (Right Back): 6/10
Cesar Azpilicueta came on for the injured Reece James in the 53rd minute and did a great job at securing the clean sheet for the Blues. On top of being defensive good, Azpilicueta did present an attacking threat but nothing really materialized.
13. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker): NA
Aubameyang came on for Christian Pulisic in the 82nd minute and couldn’t really influence the game much.
14. Conor Gallagher (Central Midfielder): NA
Conor Gallagher came on for Denis Zakaria in the 82nd minute and brought in energy and refreshed the midfield but couldn’t really influence the game much in terms of attacking.
15. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): NA
Trevoh Chalobah came on for Raheem Sterling in the 88th minute to secure up the game and he was successful in doing so as CFC went on to keep the clean sheet.