A house win in law this may were. But victory over Bournemouth – and a at ease one at that – used to be as welcome because it used to be vital for Graham Potter.
First-half targets from World Cup returnees Kai Havertz and Mason Mount made what may have been an ungainly night time, one among reduction and, in large part, pleasure. The statistical gurus stroked their keyboards in anticipation, in a position to pounce on any Chelsea mishap, which, given this fixture’s fresh historical past, used to be a real fear.
But in point of fact Chelsea must have added extra gloss. The actual kicker of the night time got here when Reece James suffered what seemed to be a recurrence of the knee damage that brought about him to pass over Qatar.
This used to be now not a end result for Potter to get over excited with. But there will also be authentic pleasure at Raheem Sterling’s appearing. This used to be the participant they purchased. And whilst Chelsea will virtually without a doubt search no less than brief placing reinforcements in January, Havertz will take self belief from each his strike and function.
Gary O’Neill’s Bournemouth aspect had been outclassed. To name them plucky is a tad harsh; those aren’t nights on which their season will flip. But they slightly landed a punch till the remaining phases.
Given the period in their World Cup hiatus – 45 days have handed since Chelsea’s ultimate aggressive fixture – it feels deceptive to make use of that beginning line-up as a body of reference.
But, that Graham Potter felt ready to call simply 3 of the 11 who started their defeat at Newcastle, demonstrated the World Cup’s affect on his variety. Reece James, dominated out of England responsibility by means of damage, returned for the primary time since mid-October, whilst Denis Zakaria, on mortgage from Juventus, made his league debut.
Bournemouth had it simple by means of comparability, with simply Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham in Qatar. The blow of the latter lacking out with sickness used to be softened with Lloyd Kelly coming back from a close to four-month absence.
But whilst the Premier League has slept, the Cherries were lively. Gary O’Neill’s meantime managerial good fortune earned him an 18-month contract, whilst he now in the long run experiences to Billy Foley after the American’s consortium finished its much-anticipated takeover.
O’Neill used to be by no means meant to be the rest greater than a stop-gap, however has been quietly spectacular in his first position. Much like he used to be as a participant, in point of fact.
If Chelsea had been weakened by means of absent faces – amongst them Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic – it didn’t display. They settled with a bit of luck into their paintings, neat triangles of passing in all places, with James’s each contact cheered.
An early penalty attraction used to be waved away when Christian Pulisic burst into the realm with Adam Smith clinging, albeit flippantly, to his blouse. Pulisic stayed as much as get his shot away, and used to be joined on his ft by means of Cheslea’s complete bench. VAR mentioned no. One of the ones “anywhere else it’s a foul” moments, and given Smith used to be now not making an attempt to play the ball, it would have had critical penalties.
Fortunately, it quickly turned into a moot level; Mason Mount slid in Raheem Sterling, whose inch-perfect first-time go had Kai Havertz sliding to poke previous Mark Travers. Potter’s arms shot from his wallet to pummel the air with gusto. Relief.
Eight mins later Chelsea doubled their lead. This time Havertz became supplier, recycling a unfastened ball to tee up Mount. On his one hundred and fiftieth Chelsea get started, his 20-yard, excellent, low roller nestled within the nook.
The entirety of Stamford Bridge believed Chelsea had a 3rd however Potter’s party of Pulisic’s end temporarily became to remonstrance when the referee Simon Hooper penalized the American.
The culmination of Bournemouth’s sorry opening 1/2 had been a Philip Billing free-kick that Kepa Arrizabalaga handled conveniently in spite of the slippery floor. Full marks for effort however they might slightly get a marginally.
James’s aggregate with Raheem Sterling, who hugged the suitable touchline, used to be merely an excessive amount of for them. Many provide must have uttered the phrases “if only” as each examined Travers in first-half stoppage time.
Chelsea’s efficiency degree slightly dropped after the fit restarted, however unfortunately their hearts did.
With eyes in other places, James went down, his face coated by means of his arms. A hush descended as James lay nonetheless. Everyone provide knew what it intended. “Reece James, he’s one of our own,” echoed across the flooring. The full-back no less than headed down the tunnel unaided, however his expression used to be desolate.
Even with out his right-flank spouse regardless that, Sterling persevered to dazzle. Direct, poised and electrical, his mazy run deserved higher than the end an open-bodied Havertz presented. Then, possibly impressed by means of Sterling, Mount flew ahead, bringing a wise save from Travers.
That Bournemouth brought about a couple of overdue jitters used to be in large part owed to Chelsea’s sloppiness. Arrizabalaga blocked change Ryan Christie’s shot, and several other instances Potter kicked the ground in frustration.
Job accomplished. On to the following one.