The Independent
·14 September 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·14 September 2024
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Erik ten Hag says lunchtime kick-offs 'big disadvantage' for players
AFC Bournemouth couldn’t quite keep Chelsea at bay to claim a point in the Premier League on Saturday evening as a late Christopher Nkunku goal settled the match.
Both sides were well-matched in terms of endeavour and spells of attacking intent in the game, but while the Cherries missed their best chance - an Evanilson penalty saved by Robert Sanchez, after the goalkeeper had tripped the forward - the Blues had the artillery off the bench to ensure they could always have the potential to sneak one more opening. After Jadon Sancho came on for an impressive debut at half time, Joao Felix and then Nkunku also came on to give Bournemouth different problems - and the Frenchman found a way through late on.
Spinning in the box after a Sancho pass, Nkunku held off the last defender and coolly found the bottom corner with a low finish, giving Chelsea a hard-fought away win and a clean sheet to boot. That aside, the match was notable as a record-breaker for the most yellow cards shown in the Premier League era, 14 to players as well as carding both benches.
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Jadon Sancho stepped off the bench to inspire Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth as he set up Christopher Nkunku’s 86th-minute winner on the south coast, after the hosts had missed a penalty and with a new record for bookings set in the Premier League - 14 players shown yellow cards despite only 25 fouls being made in the game.
Sancho had not featured in the Premier League for 12 months after a spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season and despite settling the rift this summer, he joined the Blues on loan on transfer deadline day.
Enzo Maresca had watched Chelsea initially struggle at Vitality Stadium with only a Robert Sanchez penalty save from Evanilson after 38 minutes able to keep it scoreless at the break. Maresca turned to Sancho during the interval before he sent on Nkunku and the pair linked up late on when the French forward slotted home to earn the new Blues manager a narrow second Premier League win.
Yellow Card Antoine Serlom Semenyo
14 September 2024 21:52
Billing fizzes a cross into the box and Colwill sticks a leg out and diverts the ball behind for a corner which Sanchez comes out and comfortably claims.
14 September 2024 21:51
Felix drags down Scott in the middle of the park and is shown a yellow card.
14 September 2024 21:48
The visitors have six minutes to hold on for three priceless points on the road.
14 September 2024 21:47