Chelsea 2 Bournemouth 1
Mauricio Pochettino has had a tough introduction to life in West London. Despite spending more than America’s black-ops budget, Chelsea have struggled to find any sort of form. The only highlight to their season has been the acquisition of Cole Palmer.
Bournemouth came to the capital, looking to make a positive end to their campaign. Earlier in the season Andoni Iraola was tipped to be the first manager who will be sacked. He has ended the Premier League season having just put pen to paper on a new deal which will see him stay until 2026.
Chelsea needed a win to secure sixth place in the league table. Sterling threaded the ball through to Jackson but his effort was well saved by Neto at the near post. It was an early warning for the visitors that The Blues were looking to stretch their back line whenever they could.
The Cherries then showed their attacking intent as Semenyo won a header before Unal played it back into his path. The Bournemouth midfielder managed to get a shot away but it was an easy save for Petrovic in the Chelsea goal.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
Jackson then threaded a ball in behind the Bournemouth defence for Sterling to run onto. Neto came sprinting out of his box to win the ball but then scuffed his clearance straight back to The Blues. The ball was worked to Caicedo who only had one thing on his mind.
Knowing the keeper was out of position, he went for goal, just inside The Cherries’ half. His shot went straight into the back of the net for a sublime goal. Not quite sure it justifies his £115m price tag just yet though. His school report card would still read ‘could do better’.
It was his first ever Chelsea goal, at the 35th attempt and will no doubt be a goal of the season contender. However, one swallow does not make a summer. His signing was supposed to make this team solid but the 63 goals they have conceded this season says otherwise.
After the interval Pochettino’s side doubled their lead as Sterling beat Neto at his near post. The ball squirmed under the keeper and into the back of the net to send Stamford Bridge wild. Suddenly it looked like European football would be secured for the hosts.
Bournemouth were not ready to give up on this game as the ball was crossed to Unal at the back post. He turned Cucurella like the defender was being controlled on a PlayStation by somebody’s toddler before drilling the ball into the far corner via a deflection from Badiashile.
The Cherries almost drew level when Sideshow Bob impersonator, Marc Cucurella, gave the ball away and Solanke went for goal. His effort went narrowly wide of the far post with Chelsea’s fans hearts in their mouths.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
Chelsea almost gave themselves some breathing space when Jackson fed the ball into the path of Nkunku. He couldn’t quite get the ball out from under his feet and his stubbed effort made for an easy save for Neto in the Bournemouth goal.
Semenyo then broke through before playing in Ouattara. His shot was parried by Petrovic and Christie followed up on the rebound but a great sliding challenge denied him. The ball broke to Solanke who unbelievably put it over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side held on for all three points and will be competing in Europe once again next season. While it is not the coveted Champions League football they crave, Thursday nights seem a positive compared to where their season was at one point.
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