Vitality Stadium easy for some
The Vitality Stadium has become a fortress for Bournemouth this season. Arsenal? Beaten. Manchester City? Taken down. Tottenham? Spursy. Yet, in the middle of all this chaos, Chelsea came and calmly got the job done.
Christopher Nkunku’s late winner in September sealed a 1-0 victory and ensured Chelsea remain the only ‘big six’ side to leave the Vitality unscathed thus far. It wasn’t flashy—it didn’t need to be. This was about grit, discipline, and making the most of a chance when it came.
While other giants crumbled, Maresca’s Blues stood tall, another sign of their growing maturity.
Goodison Park awaits
Up next for the Blues is Everton at Goodison Park, the graveyard of many a Blues team. Two wins there since 2014? Painful. The latest win came in the opening 2022-23 matchday, a narrow 1-0. The other victory came under Antonio Conte in a title-winning season, but other than that, Chelsea’s trips to Merseyside have been more about damage control than dominance.
Everton are struggling this season, but Goodison remains one of those grounds where strange things seem to happen. For Maresca, though, it’s another opportunity to set things right. With Chelsea’s confidence growing and their bogey-team hoodoo fading fast, this trip feels like one they should relish rather than fear.
The new mentality under Maresca
There’s something different about this CFC team. It’s not just the results; it’s the way they’re earning them. Resilience, composure, and a refusal to panic when things don’t go to plan have become hallmarks of Maresca’s side. Playing with no pressure at all, taking one game at a time.
These bogey-team wins aren’t just three points—they’re symbolic. Each one erases a frustrating chapter from the club’s recent history and brings Chelsea closer to being the force they should be. Under Maresca, the Blues aren’t just fixing their record. They’re fixing their identity.