Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Christopher Nkunku nets a late goal to secure victory following a penalty save by Robert Sanchez in the Premier League.

**Nkunku’s Late Strike Secures Chelsea Victory at Bournemouth**

In a tense encounter at the Vitality Stadium, Christopher Nkunku emerged as the hero for Chelsea, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on September 14, 2024. The match, marked by a flurry of cards and near misses, seemed destined for a stalemate until Nkunku’s late intervention.

The French forward was on the pitch for less than seven minutes when he showcased his skill, deftly turning away from three defenders to slot the ball home, thanks to a clever assist from fellow substitute Jadon Sancho. This moment of brilliance secured Chelsea’s first away clean sheet in 18 Premier League matches, a significant achievement for a side that has struggled on the road.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, were left to rue their missed opportunities. The Cherries registered a staggering 19 shots throughout the match and came agonisingly close to scoring on two occasions. Most notably, Marcus Tavernier rattled the crossbar just four minutes into the game. Their best chance came from a penalty won by Evanilson, but Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was equal to the task, denying the hosts’ record signing with a superb save.

With this victory, Chelsea climbed to seventh in the Premier League table, now sitting on seven points and leapfrogging Bournemouth, who find themselves in 11th place, two points adrift.

**Talking Point – Signs of Improvement for Chelsea**

Given the significant squad turnover at Chelsea and the recent appointment of a new manager, it is understandable that the team may take time to find its rhythm. Illness and injuries have further complicated matters, but the pressure for progress remains. While the first half offered little in terms of encouragement, the second half saw glimpses of potential.

Jadon Sancho, who replaced Pedro Neto at the break, was a standout performer. His energy and creativity injected much-needed life into Chelsea’s attack, and it was clear that his signing, initially met with skepticism, is beginning to pay dividends. Renato Veiga also showed promise in his first Premier League start, while Nkunku reminded fans of his capabilities with a well-timed return to form.

However, questions linger about Chelsea’s overall performance. The clean sheet felt somewhat fortuitous given the number of chances Bournemouth created, and the Blues rarely appeared in control of the match. Only time will tell if manager Enzo Maresca can build on this result and instil a more consistent style of play.

**Player of the Match – Jadon Sancho (Chelsea)**

Sancho’s introduction proved pivotal for Chelsea, as he was instrumental in nearly all of their second-half chances, including the crucial goal. On a day when Cole Palmer struggled to make an impact, Sancho’s performance stood out as a beacon of hope for the Blues.

**Player Ratings**

*Bournemouth:*
Travers 6, Smith 6, Zabarnyi 7, Senesi 6, Kerkez 7, Cook 7, Christie 7, Kluivert 6, Tavernier 7, Semenyo 6, Evanilson 5. Subs: Sinisterra 5, Scott 5, Araujo 6, Billing 6, Unal n/a.

*Chelsea:*
Sanchez 7, Disasi 5, Fofana 5, Colwill 7, Cucurella 7, Veiga 7, Caicedo 6, Madueke 5, Palmer 6, Neto 5, Jackson 5. Subs: Sancho 7, Adarabioyo 6, Felix 5, Nkunku 7.

As Chelsea look to build on this hard-fought victory, fans will be hoping for more consistent performances in the weeks to come.