5 Amazing Pictures That Sum Up Chelsea’s Crucial Win vs Bournemouth

Chelsea vs Bournemouth Match Review In Pictures

Chelsea continued their juggernaut in the Premier League, as they notched up their 12^th consecutive win since October, defeating AFC Bournemouth 3-0 at the Stamford Bridge. The Blues, without Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante, two of their most influential players, went ahead on the 24^th minute thanks to Pedro. The Cherries, however, did not give in and put up a fight with Jack Wilshere coming close.

Things got easier for the home team after the restart though, with Eden Hazard doubling their lead before Pedro added more gloss to the scoreline in the injury time to make it three. Chelsea continued to pull away from their competitors with another impressive performance, whereas one might say the final score did not to justice to Eddie Howe’s men who showed heart throughout the match.

Here are five pictures that sum up the evening at Stamford Bridge:

5. Pedro’s stunning opener

 

Chelsea began the game on the front-foot and were soon rewarded for their enterprise in the attack as Pedro, who replaced the suspended Diego Costa at the top for the Blues, received the ball from Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the box and put it past Artur Boruc in the Bournemouth goal with a stunning effort that curled on its way into the top-left corner.

4. Jack Wilshere denied

 

The goal did not break the spirits of the Cherries players though as they carried on playing some good attacking football. Only four minutes after conceding, they managed to create an opening with Adam Smith teeing up Jack Wilshere around the edge of the box for the loanee to hit a shot at goal only for Thibaut Courtois to make a smart save to keep it out. Two minutes later, Wilshere came close again for the equalizer, but saw another goal-bound effort deflected just wide.

3. Hazard punishes the Cherries

Chelsea went into half-time with the 1-0 lead and soon after the restart, they were handed a golden opportunity on a platter by Bournemouth to double their advantage. Eden Hazard, who had been tormenting the Cherries’ defence throughout the game did brilliantly to get into the box and lure Simon Francis into a foul. The referee promptly blew the whistle and the Belgian coolly converted from the spot to put his team further ahead. The goal was Hazard’s 50th strike in the Premier League for Chelsea.

2. Courtois’ Heroics

Bournemouth continued to put up a fight despite being two goals down and they gave the league leaders a big scare around the 75-minute mark. It was Jack Wilshere again, causing the problems, as he split open the Chelsea defence with a lovely ball for substitute Benik Afobe to latch on to. Afobe, through on goal, looked certain to score, only for Courtois to rush out and make a fine stop to thwart the former Arsenal striker. Had he scored, it could have set up a nervy finish for the Blues, but Courtois rose to the occasion and made a vital save.

1. The Icing on the Cake

The game was in the bag and three points were sealed for Chelsea post the Afobe chance, and they managed to finish on a high as, late in the game, a swift counter-attack led to Pedro’s attempted shot go past Boruc via a healthy deflection off Steve Cook to heap further misery on Eddie Howe’s men.