Late goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a 2-0 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge to maintain the Blues' 100% start to the season.
Maurizio Sarri started with Willian instead of Pedro from the side that grinded out a win over Newcastle United and saw them dominate possession.
And similar to Newcastle’s tactics last weekend, the Cherries were camped deep in the half after switching to a 3-4-3.
Eddie Howe, who handed debuts to record signing Jefferson Lerma as well as Diego Rico, had Asmir Begovic to thank for being on top form to keep out efforts from Mateo Kovacic and Marcos Alonso, who also struck the post.
Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in London on September 1, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
The second half followed a similar pattern leading to Sarri bringing on Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, showing the depth of the club’s midfield options.
It was the former Barcelona man who broke the deadlock after a neat turn on the edge of the box with his shot taking a wicked deflection.
And Hazard finished off the job with a nice turn of pace before firing the ball in to make it two goals in two games as Chelsea stay level with early pace setters Liverpool on 12 points.
TALKING POINT
Chelsea surprising everyone with their start to the campaign.
Not many pundits tipped the Blues to mount a push for the Premier League crown, they were firmly in the ‘maybe’ category following the arrival of Sarri. But they have four wins out of four and have a deeper squad than last season, showing they have the tools off the bench to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool, who they face at home on September 29th.
Eddie Howe, Manager of AFC Bournemouth and Maurizio Sarri, Manager of Chelsea speak following the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): What a relief it must be for the Blues that the Belgian decided to stay at the club this summer. He drifted in and out of the game but his pace and skill were too much for Bournemouth to handle. Hazard's goal was a fine finish to put the cherry on the cake.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
CHELSEA: Kepa 5, Azpilcueta 6, Luiz 5, Rudiger 6, Alonso 7, Jorginho 5, Kante 8, Kovacic 7, Willian 7, Hazard 8, Morata 5. Subs: Giroud 7, Pedro 8, Loftus-Cheek n/a.
BOURNEMOUTH: Begovic 8, Cook 7, Ake 6, Smith 7, Francis 6, Gosling 6, Lerma 7, Rico 6, King 5, Wilson 5, Fraser 5. Subs: Ibe n/a, Mousset n/a, L. Cook n/a
KEY MOMENTS:
30’ - BIG CHANCE! On the counter, Rico's early ball finds Wilson whose half volley goes over the bar. In his defence there was an awkward bounce.
36’ – TOP SAVE! Good save from Begovic to block Kovacic’s effort with Morata’s effort on the rebound blocked.
45’ - WOODWORK! Chelsea break, Kante finds Morata who lofts the ball into the box. It falls to Hazard who tees up Alonso whose scuffed shot rattles the post.
54’ - GREAT SAVE! Kovacic links up nicely with Hazard who does well and tees up Alonso whose shot is well saved by Begovic.
Bournemouth's English defender Adam Smith (L) vies with Chelsea's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in London on September 1, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
72’ - GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Pedro rifles in a deflected shot off Cook from the edge of the box which wrongfoots Begovic.
85’ - GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Hazard rifles the ball in low after some wonderful skill and turn of pace. Begovic got a hand on it but couldn't keep it out.
KEY STATS
The Blues have been crowned Premier League champions in four of the five previous seasons in which they won their first four games.
Bournemouth have only won twice in 19Premier League attempts away to last season's top six.
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