LONDON: chelsea returned to winning ways by scoring early to secure a 2-0 triumph over Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge Tuesday in their first premier league victory since mid-October.
Kai Havertz and Mason mount both scored in the first half of a dominating performance but the hosts will feel they could have won by a bigger margin given the possession they enjoyed and the chances they created.
Chelsea ended a run of five league games without a win and moved up the league table to eighth place.
Bournemouth have now lost four of their last five league games and remain in 14th place on 16 points.
Havertz had Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes at the end of a quick move down the middle, started by Jorginho, helped by Mount and then with Rahim Sterling delivering a perfect cross to the back post for the German to stretch into the net.
The rapid movement of the ball was characteristic of the home side’s approach which overwhelmed Bournemouth in all departments.
Chelsea extended their lead in the 23rd minute at the end of another blistering drive, with several players involved before Havertz handed it over to Mount to hit a right-footed curler into the net from outside the penalty area .
Chelsea, with seven World Cup players in their starting line-up, brought in Reece James after the knee injury that saw him miss the tournament in Qatar and the England right-back was quick to recall his qualities .
But he had to leave at the start of the second half, visibly upset as he appeared to suffer further knee problems.
Bournemouth, whose manager Gary O’Neil was scoring their first league game since being made a permanent fixture, took nearly an hour to test Kepa Arrizabalaga with substitute Jaidon Anthony’s shot easily saved by the keeper from Chelsea.
The Spaniard made a much more vital save in the 78th minute to deny midfielder Ryan Christie.
Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers also made several good saves – from Sterling on the stroke of half-time and from Mount after the break. He also watched with relief as Kalidou Koulibaly’s header from a set piece in the 73rd minute narrowly widened.
Bournemouth finished crisp, looking dangerous in the final 10 minutes and might have scored a consolation goal as former Chelsea player Dominic Solanke missed a close-range header in stoppage time.
Kai Havertz and Mason mount both scored in the first half of a dominating performance but the hosts will feel they could have won by a bigger margin given the possession they enjoyed and the chances they created.
Chelsea ended a run of five league games without a win and moved up the league table to eighth place.
Bournemouth have now lost four of their last five league games and remain in 14th place on 16 points.
Havertz had Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes at the end of a quick move down the middle, started by Jorginho, helped by Mount and then with Rahim Sterling delivering a perfect cross to the back post for the German to stretch into the net.
The rapid movement of the ball was characteristic of the home side’s approach which overwhelmed Bournemouth in all departments.
Chelsea extended their lead in the 23rd minute at the end of another blistering drive, with several players involved before Havertz handed it over to Mount to hit a right-footed curler into the net from outside the penalty area .
Chelsea, with seven World Cup players in their starting line-up, brought in Reece James after the knee injury that saw him miss the tournament in Qatar and the England right-back was quick to recall his qualities .
But he had to leave at the start of the second half, visibly upset as he appeared to suffer further knee problems.
Bournemouth, whose manager Gary O’Neil was scoring their first league game since being made a permanent fixture, took nearly an hour to test Kepa Arrizabalaga with substitute Jaidon Anthony’s shot easily saved by the keeper from Chelsea.
The Spaniard made a much more vital save in the 78th minute to deny midfielder Ryan Christie.
Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers also made several good saves – from Sterling on the stroke of half-time and from Mount after the break. He also watched with relief as Kalidou Koulibaly’s header from a set piece in the 73rd minute narrowly widened.
Bournemouth finished crisp, looking dangerous in the final 10 minutes and might have scored a consolation goal as former Chelsea player Dominic Solanke missed a close-range header in stoppage time.
