Goals from Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and Nathan Ake saw Bournemouth inflict a shock defeat on Premier League champions Chelsea. Below are four talking points from Stamford Bridge.
Wilson a thorn in Chelsea’s side all evening
This 3-0 triumph will go down as one of the most famous results in Bournemouth’s history. The Cherries showed their intent in the early stages, pushing Wilson, Stanislas and Jordon Ibe forward and looking to feed their attacking trio on the counter-attack. They probably shaded the first half, and although Wilson’s opener in the 51st minute came against the run of play, Eddie Howe’s side were ultimately good value for their victory.
Lone striker Wilson was particularly brilliant, his intelligent movement and constant running of the channels making him the ideal outlet for the visitors. He combined brilliantly with Ibe for the first goal of the night and then set up Stanislas’ second, but it was his all-round performance which will have pleased Howe most.
Hazard’s influence diluted as false nine
Michy Batshauyi joined Borussia Dortmund on loan earlier on deadline day, with Chelsea completing the permanent signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal. This match came too early for the Frenchman, though, which left Eden Hazard to play as a false nine in the injury-enforced absence of Alvaro Morata.
Hazard is a wonderful footballer who can cause problems for the opposition in any position, but it is fair to say this central role does not bring out the best in him. The Belgian frequently received the ball with his back to goal, which made it more difficult for him to escape the attention of his markers. There were still a couple of brilliant flicks and touches from the 27-year-old, but Chelsea fans will be keen to see him deployed as an inside-forward for Monday’s trip to Watford.
Bournemouth’s back three contain Blues attack
Much of the credit for Hazard’s quiet evening must go to Bournemouth’s backline. Howe used Charlie Daniels and Ryan Fraser as wing-backs to match up with the champions’ setup; the latter was particularly impressive given he is more of an attacking player, with Fraser diligent throughout when it came to tracking the forward gallops of Marcos Alonso.
Centre-backs Simon Francis, Steve Cook and Ake were also excellent, sticking tight to Hazard and also keeping Pedro Rodriguez and Ross Barkley under control. In front of them, midfield duo Lewis Cook and Dan Gosling looked to cut off space between the lines, while the front three all worked hard without the ball.
Scoring three goals at Stamford Bridge is no mean feat, but nor is keeping a clean sheet against a team who had averaged almost two goals per league game before Wednesday’s encounter.
Bakayoko and Barkley ineffectual
Barkley’s Chelsea career got off to an inauspicious start, the England international turning in a disappointing display in the EFL Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal last week. When he joined the Blues earlier this month, many saw the former Everton man as an alternative to Tiemoue Bakayoko, N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in midfield, but he was deployed on the left-hand side of Antonio Conte’s front three here.
Barkley did not look entirely comfortable in such a role, even though Alonso’s overlaps allowed him to drift infield onto his stronger right foot. The 24-year-old at least has the excuse that he is still working his way back from a serious hamstring injury; team-mate Bakayoko, who was caught in possession for Bournemouth’s opener and offered little in possession all night, does not have such a strong defence.
