Henderson strikes twice in victory agaist Bournemouth
Premier League
Chelsea (2) 5 Henderson 2, 70, Rogers 3, Pedro 46, 67
Bournemouth (0) 1 Evanilson 51
Jordan Henderson led The Blues to a comfortable win against injury-plagued Cherries.
He was a Red, but now he’s a true Blue. The former Liverpool-skipper stole the show in his first start for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It took the 36-year old midfielder just under two minutes to find the back of the net with a well–placed strike from the edge of the box, kissing the inside of the post and staying out of reach for goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Henderson also had the final word, when he curled in a free-kick from 24 yards, twenty minutes before the end of an entertaining encounter.
The 5-1 defeat was harsh for the visitors, who now find themselves in relegation trouble. They had travelled to West-London without Alex Scott, who had injured his thigh during his excellent England-display in Croatia, a week ago. The Cherries also dearly miss their French starlet Eli Junior Kroupi, and Dutch forward Justin Kluivert. Nevertheless, they dictated most of the game and had even a higher expected goals at 1.46, versus Chelsea’s 1.08.
But Chelsea were far more clinical in converting chances and punishing mistakes. Xabi Alonso's side had ten shots in total and six on target, converting five of those. One minute after Henderson’s opening goal, an effort of Morgan Rogers disappeared into the Bournemouth-goal via the head of Antonio Silva. Without the interference of the Portuguese centre-back Petrovic probably would have saved it. Game over? Not in the case of Chelsea.
Bournemouth managed to steady the ship and did play themselves back into the game, asking questions. In the 35th minute the French left-back Adrien Truffert opened the vulnerable Chelsea-defence with a superb pass, but the Brazilian striker Ryan could not beat Emi Martinez. Leaving the dressing room early after tea Bournemouth seemed keen to start the second-half, but again it was Chelsea who struck in the early stages.
Near the corner flag Pedro Neto nicked the ball off Bournemouth’s Silva. He laid the ball back to the incoming Joao Pedro who finished in style. Game played? No. Could Chelsea at least keep a clean-sheet for the first time in 21 games? No. Five minutes later Evanlison put one back for Bournemouth, after a corner caused a scramble in front of Martinez. The momentum was with the visitors, who must have been frustrated when Pedro scored his second from a counter.
The best was yet to come for the home fans. Palmer, who had played in important role in the first two goals, ran toward the box when he was fouled by Ryan Christie. The number 10 was ready to take the following free-kick, but left the ball for Hendo, Finding his inner-Beckham and facing the Matthew Harding Stand, he curled the ball around the wall, leaving Petrovic flying and grasping mild autumn air. Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.
Chelsea (4-4-2): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Chavarrial; Henderson, Caicedo (Lavia 70), Rogers (Welbeck 82); Neto (Estevao 82); Palmer (Gusto 87), Joao Pedro (Palestra 70)
Bournemouth (4-4-2): Petrovic; Smith (Juanlu 70), Hill, Silva, Truffert (Soler 83); Brooks (Gannon-Doak 46); Christie (Cook 70); Adams, Tavernier; (Rodriguez 70) Rayan, Evanilson
Attendance: 39.767
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