Chelsea v Bournemouth
Play By Play
A near-perfect performance from Chelsea, who put five past a hopeless Bournemouth to jump up to fifth in the Premier League table. Two peaches from Henderson, a brace for Pedro and Rogers’ fourth league goal of the season helped Alonso respond to growing whispers of discontent. That they scored five from just 1.08 xG demonstrates the quality of the strikes, while Bournemouth managed just a single consolation from Evanilson from 1.46 xG. The game was over barely after it had started when Henderson whipped a Palmer lay off into the far corner after two minutes, and Rogers followed up a minute later, curling it beyond Petrovic from the other side, via a helping head from Silva. They started the second half even quicker when Neto wriggled past Silva on the byline and tee’d up Pedro who finished emphatically from 12 yards to put them three ahead. Bournemouth thought they had found a way back into the game five minutes later when Caicedo crashed a corner clearance straight into Evanilson, but Pedro quickly put any ideas of a comeback to bed, tapping home a Chavarria cross for his fifth league goal of the season, taking him joint top of the scoring charts with Erling Haaland. Bournemouth were now dead and buried, but not before Henderson could bend a delicious 30 yard free-kick into the top right corner for his second of the game, capping off a commanding midfield display. The Blues will need plenty more though to keep the fans on side, as they travel to Everton next weekend to face a far sterner defence. Bournemouth meanwhile host Sturm Graz in the Europa League before the visit of Sunderland next Sunday. They could be in the relegation zone come Monday, and Rose may need European success if he is to stay in the Bournemouth job. That’s all from London, thanks for following and we’ll see you next time!
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 5-1 BOURNEMOUTH
Chelsea fans could not have asked for a better return from the international break. Alonso will be delighted with today's performance.
The pain is extended for the visitors, as we enter five minutes of injury time. They have been abject.
Henderson almost puts a blotch on his perfect performance, making a loose pass to Rodriguez on the edge of the box but the forward's effort is well off target.
Just a single assist for Palmer today but he has been at the heart of everything for the Blues. Gusto replaces him.
Six of Chelsea's starting seven midfielders and attackers have registered a goal or assist today. They seem to really enjoy playing with one another and every run or pass triggers an automatic movement from another player. It has been a joy to watch.
Argentinian 21-year-old Soler replaces Truffert for the final few minutes.
An excellent day for Rogers whose star continues to rise. Estevao replaces him.
On a day of celebration for Premier League veterans, 35-year-old Welbeck replaces Neto for the closing stages.
They may have the worst defence in the Premier League but Alonso's Chelsea are going to be a lot of fun to watch this season, they have now scored 15 goals in six games, second only to Brighton's 17, who currently lead Sunderland 1-0.
With that stunning free-kick, Henderson gets his third goal involvement of the game, the first time he has done so in a Premier League game since April 2013, for Liverpool against Newcastle. A wonderful brace from the Chelsea midfielder.
Christie is replaced by Cook in midfield as Bournemouth look to limit the damage.
Tavernier is replaced by the 22-year old Uruguayan, Rodriguez, who scored seven times for Elche last season.
Rose takes off his skipper Smith and hands Spaniard Sanchez a Premier League debut following his summer move from Sevilla.
Another excellent day for Pedro. Two goals and now a chance to rest. On comes summer signing Palestra.
An excellent return from injury for Caicedo who marshalled the midfield with his typical class. Lavia comes on for the final 20 minutes.
GOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!!! HENDERSON FIRES HOME ANOTHER BEAUTY! What a performance from the veteran midfielder. Everyone inside Stamford Bridge is expecting Palmer to hit this but he runs over the ball and leaves Henderson to bend the free-kick magnificently into the top corner from 30 yards for his second of the game. Game, set and match. What a signing Henderson is turning out to be for Alonso. Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth.
Christie is booked for a tactical foul which hands Chelsea, and Palmer, a free-kick in shooting range on the right side of the penalty area.
He has been caused some issues on the defensive end today but Chavarria looks a real handful going the other way. The Spaniard picked out a pinpoint cross for Pedro.
GOOOOALLLLL!! CHELSEA PUT THE GAME TO BED! SURELY??? Pedro has his second of the game and it is a simple finish. Bournemouth’s high defensive line is caught out and Chavarria gets in behind on the left flank, lifts his head up and picks out Pedro inside the six yard box who times his run to perfection and cushions the ball home to re-open the three goal lead. Lethal. Chelsea 4-1 Bournemouth.
Bournemouth have spent 37% of the second half action in Chelsea's defensive third. That is not what Alonso would have wanted after going three goals ahead. 47% of Bournemouth's attacks have come down the right flank today, where Rayan is now operating against Chavarria.
It is a damning reflection of Chelsea's defensive structure that Bournemouth have had the same amount of shots on target (four) as the home side and only three less touches in the Chelsea box (13). Despite having a two goal lead for almost all of this game, they have not put the Cherries to bed.
Adams wipes out Pedro on the edge of the Chelsea box with a cynical challenge to prevent a counter attack.
Wow. Martinez sends a tracer bullet of a goal kick from his hands straight onto the toes of Neto on the halfway line but the winger cannot make anything of it. That is so impressive from the Argentinian.
