Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Sancho, Nkunku combine to deliver late win for Maresca's Blues

Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Sancho, Nkunku combine to deliver late win for Maresca's Blues

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 22:02 - 14.09.2024

Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to score a late winner for Chelsea against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Chelsea continued their good start to the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Bournemouth thanks to substitutes Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku, who combined for the winner.

Chelsea earn late win against Cherries

Bournemouth started brightly, with Marcus Tavernier's long-range effort crashing off the crossbar within four minutes.

Summer signing Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo took turns testing Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal while Justin Kluivert was also denied by the Chelsea goalkeeper.

The hosts' best chance arrived after a catastrophic Wesley Fofana backpass, which Evanilson capitalized on to win a penalty. However, Sánchez came to Chelsea's rescue once more, parrying the striker's penalty.

Chelsea's lackluster display prompted Enzo Maresca to introduce João Félix and Jadon Sancho, changes that gradually shifted the momentum in their favor. Bournemouth continued to threaten on the counter, but their inability to convert chances proved costly.

The decisive moment arrived when Nkunku, introduced from the bench, collected Sancho's pass, breezed past defenders, and fired into the corner to send the visiting fans into ecstasy.

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