Nkunku came off the bench to finish inside the box as the Blues somehow beat the Cherries
Chelsea had to reckon with an energetic Bournemouth side on Saturday night but managed to do so, with some help from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and substitute Christopher Nkunku.
In the 36th minute, during a half they dominated, Bournemouth got in behind as Evanilson capitalised on a terrible backpass from Wesley Fofana. Sanchez sprinted out and body-checked the summer signing, bringing him down in the area and conceding a penalty, although he stood tall to make a sensational save.
Bournemouth were the better side in the first half but Evanilson could not convert any of his chances, including from 12 yards, and the two sides headed into the interval level.
In the second half, the same pattern resumed and Ryan Christie hit the post just before the hour mark.
But it was Chelsea who found a way to win the game. In the 85th minute, two substitutes combined as Jadon Sancho found Nkunku, who poked home, and somehow earned the Blues all three points.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Vitality Stadium…
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Robert Sanchez (7/10):
Booked after clattering into Evanilson, conceding a penalty in the process. Stood tall to save the spot-kick, though, in what was one of a number of vital stops. A busy evening.
Axel Disasi (5/10):
Struggled with the pace of Bournemouth's attack and was often caught chasing back. Subbed in the second half. May not be a starter for much longer.
Wesley Fofana (4/10):
Booked for a high arm in the first half. Awful backpass to Sanchez led to Evanilson winning Bournemouth's penalty. Tried to recover but Bournemouth clearly saw him as a weak link.
Levi Colwill (6/10):
Very strong in the air but was booked for a rash challenge. Some very good distribution.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Got up and down as regularly as he could. Put one ball into the box that was begging to be finished but no Chelsea attacker could swing a leg at it. Fortunate not to be sent off after conceding a foul while on a yellow.
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Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Had to drop deep regularly to assist Chelsea's defence. An all-action display as he defended well and got forward whenever possible.
Cole Palmer (5/10):
Bournemouth's best chance of stopping him was to foul him, which they did often. Saw his rhythm hampered as a result and was unable to register a shot. A frustrating outing.
Renato Veiga (6/10):
Tried to impose himself physically but Bournemouth won the midfield battle. Grew into the game once he moved forward in the second half.
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Noni Madueke (6/10):
Most of Chelsea's attacks flowed through him in the first half but his influence waned. Subbed on the hour.
Nicolas Jackson (4/10):
Booked in the second half and missed more than one gilt-edged chance. A particularly egregious miss saw him blaze over when unmarked in the area. He's not the striker Chelsea need.
Pedro Neto (4/10):
Anonymous. Barely touched the ball in the first half and was hooked at half-time, being replaced by debutant Jadon Sancho.
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Jadon Sancho (7/10):
Replaced Neto at half-time. Booked for dissent but assisted Nkunku's late winner with some real quality. Has likely earned a starting role.
Joao Felix (6/10):
On for Madueke. Had a couple of touches but nothing of major importance.
Tosin Adarabioyo (6/10):
On for Disasi. Helped see out the clean sheet.
Christopher Nkunku (8/10):
Off the bench and won the game thanks to a brilliant finish under intense pressure. Has to start.
Enzo Maresca (7/10):
Used his bench perfectly as Sancho and Nkunku combined to win the game. Will be concerned with the overall level of performance but three points are three points.