Chelsea resumed their Premier League campaign with a deserved 2-0 win over Bournemouth, with Havertz and Mason Mount on target for the Blues.
Starting Lineup
Chelsea: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella; Denis Zakaria, Jorginho, Mason Mount; Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic.
Bournemouth: Mark Travers; Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi, Lloyd Kelly, Jordan Zemura; Jack Stacey, Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Philip Billing; Dominic Solanke, Kieffer Moore.
Chelsea dominated play throughout the first half and mounted intense pressure on the Bournemouth defense.
The Blues needed to overturn a poor record against Bournemouth in the Premier League. Since 2015, Chelsea have lost three of their last five Premier League games against Bournemouth.
Their last three games against Bournemouth have been a nightmare, losing two and drawing one.
The Blues effectively pocketed Bournemouth in the game from the start as Graham Potter’s boys played with the conviction that was missing in the team before the World Cup break.
They dominated play and closed up spaces, not allowing the visitors to have any clear attempt on goal throughout the first 45 minutes, except for a second-minute free kick.
It was not long before the Blues converted one of their numerous chances. A perfect through ball ripped apart Bournemouth’s shambolic midfield.
Raheem Sterling was there on the right flank to receive the long ball. He beat the challenge from Bournemouth’s right-back to cross the ball to Kai Havertz, who slotted home a fantastic volley to give the Blues the lead.
Bournemouth did little to respond as Chelsea continued to dominate play despite going a goal up and were pushing for another goal.
Mason Mount scored a long ranger from outside the box, firing into the bottom corner just 8 minutes after the first goal to secure the lead.
The Blues were on their best throughout and were looking set to score their third goal after going two goals up.
Christian Pulisic scored Chelsea’s third goal in the 44th minute, but the whistle was already blown for a foul in the buildup to the goal. The goal was ruled out.
Chelsea went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The Blues were coasting to victory in the game as they demonstrated absolute dominance over the visitors.
Nothing changed as the second half began, with Chelsea still holding sway over the game. Bournemouth continued to play second fiddle to the Blues.
They managed only 37% of the ball possession, while Chelsea had 63%. However, they were able to force only three attempts on target out of their six shots in the game.
Chelsea, on the hand, had 16 shots, with 6 on target. Most parts of the game was played in Bournemouth’s box.
As the game neared the end, Bournemouth made some frantic attempts to break into Chelsea’s box to find a consolation, but the Chelsea defenders were equal to the task.
Graham Potter finally led the Blues to a deserved 2-0 win after the final whistle.
