Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Key Takeaways for the Blues in Victory

Game changers in the team

It’s always nice to look at the bench and know you’ll have players who can impact the match right away. Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Joao Felix were all summoned by Maresca and collectively changed the trajectory of the game. CFC were on the front foot for a huge portion of the second half and were rewarded with a goal. Even when things weren’t going according to plan, they didn’t crumble under the pressure late on, thanks especially to Colwill’s defensive heroics.

Considering the significant squad changes at Chelsea and the owner turmoil kicking off, it's understandable that the team may need time to find cohesion. Illness and injuries also added to the challenges in this match. However, slow progress won’t be tolerated for long, and the performance offered few signs of improvement until the second half.

Sancho was one of the biggest bright spots. Far more active than Pedro Neto, whom he replaced at halftime, Sancho injected energy into Chelsea’s play and used the ball effectively. Based on this showing, his signing—initially doubted by many—seems justified. Renato Veiga grew into the game in his first Premier League start, and Nkunku, perhaps overlooked amid the Blues’ many new signings, was decisive in securing the win.

Still, many questions linger. The clean sheet felt fortunate, given the number of chances Bournemouth had, and the west Londoners rarely seemed in control of the match. There’s little about this victory that feels sustainable, and only time will tell if Maresca can use it as a foundation for further progress.