Nkunku Snatched Late Victory at Vitality Stadium

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Christopher Nkunku celebrates his winning goal against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium. Image credit: Premier League Official X Account

Christopher Nkunku’s 85th-minute strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 win for Chelsea against AFC Bournemouth, extending their away winning streak to four matches.

The French forward’s late heroics ensured Chelsea maintained their momentum, moving up to seventh place in the Premier League.

Bournemouth dominated the early stages, with Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie striking the woodwork.

The Cherries’ attacking pressure was relentless, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez kept his side in the game with crucial saves, including denying Evanilson’s penalty.

Sanchez’s penalty stop was his second in four Premier League appearances for Chelsea, showcasing his expertise in high-pressure situations.

Chelsea struggled to create attacking threats, but Nkunku’s introduction changed the game. He neatly skipped past challenges before slotting home the winner, assisted by Jadon Sancho.

Nkunku’s impact off the bench was significant, providing a spark that Chelsea’s attack had been lacking.

The victory marked Chelsea’s first clean sheet away from home in 18 Premier League games, a testament to their improved defensive solidity.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, tasted their first league defeat, despite a spirited performance. Manager Iraola will take encouragement from his team’s display, ahead of a tough test at Liverpool next weekend while Chelsea faces West Ham.

Did you know?

  • Chelsea kept their first clean sheet away from home in 18 Premier League games.
  • Bournemouth had 19 shots without scoring, their second-highest total in a Premier League game.
  • Robert Sanchez has saved 50% of penalties faced for Chelsea in the Premier League.
  • The match saw 14 yellow cards, the most ever issued in a single Premier League game.

With this win, Chelsea continue their upward trajectory, while Bournemouth will look to bounce back from their first defeat. The Premier League’s competitiveness ensures that every match is a challenging encounter, and this fixture was no exception.

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