Views: 0
Chelsea overcame their pre-World Cup blues with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth, featuring Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount of England to wrap up 2022 with a win.
Following three straight Premier League losses that had put his team outside the top six at Christmas for just the second time in 22 seasons, Graham Potter was in dire need of a victory.
However, there were positive hints that Potter had utilized the six-week hiatus as Chelsea skillfully defeated their worst opponents.
Read Also:Arsenal Bounce Back To Beat West Ham In London Derby
In their previous five trips to Stamford Bridge, Bournemouth had triumphed three times, but in Gary O’Neil’s debut game as permanent manager, they never seemed to be in position to do so again.
The only drawback for the Blues was seeing England defender Reece James go off injured once more shortly after halftime after recovering from the knee injury that caused him to miss the World Cup.
With one rapid run and cross that found its way to Marc Cucurella, who then chipped the ball back in for Kai Havertz to head narrowly over the crossbar, the full-back had swiftly caught up.
Moments later, when Adam Smith pulled on Christian Pulisic’s jersey, Chelsea had a good call for a penalty, but neither referee Simon Hooper nor the video assistant reviewed it.
However, Chelsea had the upper hand and took the lead after just 16 minutes when Mount crossed to Sterling, an England teammate, down the right.
Havertz, another member of Chelsea’s returning Qatari contingent, slid in to squeak beneath the diving Mark Travers of Bournemouth after Sterling fizzed a low pass across goal.
After seven minutes, Chelsea scored again thanks to a brilliant 20-yard curl from Mount, who was making his 150th Chelsea start, after Havertz’s pass.
Before halftime, there was confusion as a penalty appeal at each end was ignored before Pulisic placed the ball in the goal, with the goal appearing to be overturned for a foul by Havertz on Smith.
With excellent stops to stop James and Sterling, Travers then made sure the deficit stayed at two.
James’ second half lasted only seven minutes before he was injured, and the 23-year-old unfortunate player appeared to be on the verge of tears as he hobbled off.
When Havertz slid past Lloyd Kelly in the area, he should have had a second but dragged his shot wide. Travers then stopped another drive from Mount, and Kalidou Koulibaly narrowly missed the goal with a header from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was not tested by Bournemouth until the 79th minute when the Chelsea goalkeeper made a close-range save from Ryan Christie. Nevertheless, it was a comfortable victory for Potter’s team.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was not tested by Bournemouth until the 79th minute when the Chelsea goalkeeper made a close-range save from Ryan Christie. Nevertheless, it was a comfortable victory for Potter’s team.
Source:Africa Top Sports