AFC Bournemouth fall to late defeat at home to Chelsea

AFC Bournemouth’s Brazilian striker saw his spot kick saved after he was brought down by Blues keeper Sanchez, as Cherries had the better of a dramatic first half.

The home side created a number of second half chances but couldn’t find a clinical finish, as Christopher Nkuku scored four minutes from time to break the hosts’ hearts.

Cherries were left to rue their missed chances; their unbeaten start to the season coming to an end.

Referee Anthony Taylor handed out 14 yellow cards across the game - six to Cherries and eight to Chelsea - a new Premier League record for the most in a single match. 

Andoni Iraola made two changes to the side which beat Everton in a stunning comeback before the international break.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Adam Smith replaced Julian Araujo, who dropped to the bench, and Mark Travers came in for Chelsea-loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga who could not play against his parent club.

Dango Ouattara was missing after picking up an injury while on international duty with Burkina Faso.

Enes Unal returned from injury to make the bench, while Philip Billing also returned as Max Aarons dropped out of the matchday squad.

Enzo Maresca named a strong side with Cole Palmer starting despite being an injury doubt after pulling out of the England squad during the international break.

Chelsea got the sides underway under the lights, and it was the hosts with the first chance after four minutes.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Marcus Tavernier went close to opening the scoring as he struck the crossbar with a fierce effort from outside the box to the left of centre.

The visitors had their first shot of the evening as Noni Madueke’s effort was deflected out for a corner, which came to nothing.

Evanilson was unable to get a clean header on a Tavernier cross with eight minutes gone, after the visitors gave the ball away to Justin Kluivert just outside their own box.

Antoine Semenyo was next to have a shot on the Chelsea goal after 12 minutes, but his effort from outside the box was well wide.

Tavernier had another effort after 17 minutes, with Cherries breaking into the Chelsea half with pace, but he could only shoot straight at Robert Sanchez.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Ryan Christie was the first to go into the book after 18 minutes, before Sanchez was called into action to save well from Kluivert after 23 minutes.

A fast break from Cherries saw Tavernier cross for Evanilson, with the second ball falling to the Dutchman, but the Chelsea keeper saved at his near post.

Lewis Cook was the next to have an effort on goal but his effort from outside the area was straight at Sanchez, in an action-packed opening 25 minutes.

Marcos Senesi made a crucial challenge on Nicolas Jackson after 29 minutes but the flag went up for offside, before Wesley Fofana was booked for a challenge on Evanilson.

Lewis Cook was booked on 35 minutes for another foul on Palmer, before Marc Cucurella saw yellow as well, to loud cheers from the Cherries faithful.

Cherries were given a penalty just one minute later as a sloppy backpass from Fofana to Sanchez was cut out by Evanilson, who lifted the ball past the keeper and was brought down.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Sanchez was booked but there was an argument that he should have been sent off, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

But the Spaniard turned from zero to hero for the Blues, saving Evanilson’s penalty down to his left.

Coming to the end of a dramatic opening period, Lewis Cook went close as his shot from distance went past the post and the diving Sanchez, before Evanilson dragged a shot wide in the last play of the half.

Jadon Sancho came on for his Chelsea debut at the break, replacing Pedro Neto, and it was the visitors who had the first chance of the half, but Cucurella’s ball somehow evaded his three teammates in the Cherries box.

Sanchez made a big save from a Kluivert shot, before Evanilson had the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside.

Cherries were on top in the opening exchanges of the half, as Jackson went into the book.

(Image: Richard Crease)

The forward had an effort on goal that went high and wide, before Levi Colwill and Sancho were also booked after a foul on Semenyo on the edge of the area.

From the resulting free kick, Tavernier laid off to the Ghanaian, whose curled effort fizzed just over the bar.

Sanchez again saved well from a Christie shot, before Kluivert was booked for a foul on Madueke.

Madueke and Axel Disasi were replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix after 61 minutes, before Senesi made a crucial block from a Jackson effort at close range.

Iraola also went to his bench after 68 minutes, bringing Luis Sinisterra and Alex Scott on for Evanilson and Ryan Christie.

Chelsea had a spell of pressure around the Cherries box but could not find an opening.

Julian Araujo and Philip Billing were brought on by Iraola for Adam Smith and Kluivert, before loud shouts for another Cherries penalty for a handball were not given as the flag was up for offside.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Marcos Senesi was booked for Cherries before calls for a second yellow card for Cucurella for a foul on Scott – but Chelsea kept their full complement.

Enes Unal made his return from injury in the 83rd minute, replacing Tavernier, as both sides pushed for the decisive late goal.

It was Chelsea who found it, breaking Cherries hearts with just four minutes left to play.

Christopher Nkuku was found by Sancho on the edge of the area and he went away from Scott before showing good strength to hold off Senesi and Zabarnyi, finishing into the bottom corner.

Unal drew a late save from Sanchez but Chelsea saw out the final minutes to beat Cherries 1-0.