After failing to score in three straight matches before the World Cup break, Chelsea scored in less than 16 minutes, with Kai Havertz slipping in at the back post from Raheem Sterling’s low cross. Mason Mount celebrated his 150th Chelsea appearance in style, firing a fantastic effort into the bottom right corner of the Bournemouth net from the edge of the penalty area. It received a satisfied nod from manager Graham Potter, who will have been pleased with his team’s slick performance, particularly in the first half.
Christian Pulisic’s shot was disallowed after Havertz was adjudged to have fouled Adam Smith, and the German also missed a second-half chance to enhance Chelsea’s lead. Chelsea now sits eighth in the rankings, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with Bournemouth remaining in 14th.
The lone setback for Potter and Chelsea came when Reece James was forced to leave the game seven minutes into the second period due to a knee ailment that had kept him out of England’s roster for Qatar.
The 23-year-old lay on the ground with his hands on his head before seeking treatment and walked away alone. Chelsea moves forward Chelsea came into the game with doubts about their direction under Potter, following a damaging run of three consecutive top-flight defeats before the World Cup. They did, however, appear energized and as if the opportunity to reset had worked in their favor.
Their play was outstanding for its fluidity, particularly through the combinations supplied by Sterling, James, Mount, and Italian maestro Jorginho, while Havertz and Pulisic fought relentlessly up front to give an outlet. And until he was thrown off, everything James produced exuded quality.
His marauding dashes down the right flanked Chelsea’s attack, with only a brilliant save from opposing goalkeeper Mark Travers preventing him from scoring.
Slow start damages Bournemouth Bournemouth seemed capable of taking the game to Chelsea on their own turf, as evidenced by Dominic Solanke’s storming run and an early Philip Billing free-kick. However, while Gary O’Neil will take heart from his team’s ability to keep the score close in the second period, he will be dismayed by their quiet opening 45 minutes. During that time, they gave up their 33rd and 34th goals of the season, with 26 of those coming away from home.
Chelsea’s goal came from a succession of straight passes down the right, with Havertz scoring unopposed, while Mount was afforded time and room to shoot as four Bournemouth players backed off.
