Chelsea’s ponderous transfer window was ruthlessly exposed as a disjointed display enabled Bournemouth to record an emphatic 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
The defending Premier League champions toiled throughout January in their pursuit of a physical centre-forward to back-up Alvaro Morata with success finally achieved with the arrival of Olivier Giroud on Wednesday, hours before the deadline and too late for the former Arsenal man to be included here.
With Morata injured, Michy Batshuayi sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund and Giroud watching from the stands, Chelsea lacked an obvious focal point in attack. Pedro, Eden Hazard and Ross Barkley formed a hastily arranged front three, but it misfired horribly.
In stark contrast, the visitors were wonderfully fluent with Ryan Fraser, Jordon Ibe and Junior Stanislas’ direct approach causing Chelsea’s backline no end of problems.
Callum Wilson put Bournemouth ahead after 51 minutes before Stanislas and former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake also got in on the act to hand Antonio Conte’s men their third league defeat at Stamford Bridge this season.
Chelsea’s struggles were evident from the first minute with Bournemouth coping easily with what little was thrown at them.
Bournemouth looked a more cohesive unit and had the better of the early exchanges.
Stanislas had already tested Thibaut Courtois from 25 yards before another bright attack, which saw Fraser break clear down the right, was brought to a premature end by referee Lee Probert after he adjudged Wilson to have fouled Andreas Christensen.
Ibe then fired a powerful effort at Courtois before Chelsea twice threatened at the other end.
Gary Cahill nodded a corner just over on the half-hour mark and, nine minutes later, the hosts’ wingbacks combined with Marcos Alonso narrowly nodding Davide Zappacosta’s right-wing cross past the post.
It was, in truth, a dire opening period, but the game opened up after the break.
Just six minutes had elapsed when Wilson played a neat one-two with Ibe before running on to the return ball and slipping it under the advancing Courtois.
Hazard saw an effort saved by Asmir Begovic but Bournemouth doubled their advantage after 64 minutes – Wilson playing in Stanislas who toe-poked into the net.
With Barkley already hauled off for Cesc Fabregas, there appeared no sign of a Chelsea comeback and it was no surprise when Bournemouth added a third.
The home side failed to clear a corner and when Ibe turned it back towards goal, Ake stuck out a foot to divert it past Courtois.
Alonso fired narrowly wide and curled a free-kick into the wall but Bournemouth’s defences were not to be breached.
Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez’s league debut ended in defeat as the third fastest goal in Premier League history from Christian Eriksen set Tottenham on their way to a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Wembley.
Eriksen’s strike was timed at under 11 seconds – the first goal United had conceded for over 600 minutes of Premier League football – stunning the visitors, before Phil Jones put through his own net in the 28th minute to send the hosts on course for only a second win from six against top-six opposition this season.
United had plenty of chances of their own, but they left themselves far too open at the back. Jose Mourinho’s frustrating evening got worse in the second half, as had to withdraw Marouane Fellaini just seven minutes after he came on as a substitute.
A record Premier League attendance of 81,978 witnessed a defeat that leaves United with a mountain to climb if they are to catch rivals Manchester City at the top, with the gap now 15 points.
The three points sees Spurs close the gap on Liverpool and Chelsea in third and fourth to two points, ahead of Spurs’ trip to Anfield on Sunday. – Bein Sports, Sky Sports.
