Bournemouth 1-3 Chelsea - some promising signs as Chelsea win for first time since March

Chelsea finally won a game on their seventh attempt since Frank Lampard's return to the club as they claimed three points against Bournemouth.

In the process they also confirmed Premier League football for next season. It seemed very unlikely that they would be relegated but this win sees it become mathematically impossible for the team to go down.

The blues made changes to the starting lineup. Wesley Fofana was reported to have an injury before the game so Benoit Badiashile came into the side. There were also starts for Trevoh Chalobah at right back, Conor Gallagher in midfield and Mykhailo Mudryk and Kai Havertz in attack. Noni Madueke also continued on the right wing after his good performance and goal, despite the loss against Arsenal in midweek. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling were amongst those to come out of the side.

Chelsea began relatively well and the right side, especially Madueke were causing problems to the Bournemouth defence. His speed and trickery were on full display. He was missing some of the end product as when he got into good positions his final pass or shot could have been better. This should improve for the 21 year old and some good coaching will likely help to refine his decision making and execution. There were certainly some very promising signs from him though. He completed 6 dribbles in the game.

Kante was also getting forward and progressing the ball up the pitch from that side.The opening goal came through him as he provided a measured cross to Conor Gallagher who headed in. Gallagher also had a good game in midfield.

Vina equalised for Bournemouth after a nice move which ended with a shot which beat Kepa. Thiago Silva stepped out of his defensive position to try to intercept the ball but he failed to win it which left a bit of space behind him. Kepa was slightly off his line but the shot from just inside the area was a very good one which beat him.

Chelsea started the second half with a high tempo but Bournemouth came back into the game again and had a few chances of their own. The best of these fell to Quattara who saw his header from close range go over the bar after a corner.

Lampard made some changes with Loftus-Cheek coming on for Kante, who had picked up a yellow card. Sterling also came on for Mudryk. Shortly after this Azpilicueta came on for the injured Chilwell and Ziyech came on for Madueke.

They were able to take the lead again as a free kick from Ziyech was finished by Benoit Badiashile, who scored his first goal for the club. Joao Felix then came off the bench for Havertz and scored almost immediately with a great first time finish after good build up play and run from Raheem Sterling who provided the assist.

The game was relatively even in terms of chances but Chelsea were more clinical .

Chelsea dominated possession with 66%. They completed more passes 529 (88% accuracy) against Bournemouth’s 230 (75% accuracy). They had 11 shots compared to 10. They also had 5 on target with Bournemouth having 4. Chelsea had 2 big chances and did not miss either of them while Bournemouth had 1 and missed 1.

Expected Goals

Bournemouth (1.23) 1-3 (1.68) Chelsea

(Stats via FotMob, expected goals via xG Philosophy)

Benoit Badiashile performed well again in defence. It has been a surprise to not see him in the starting lineup more often, especially after his performances shortly after he arrived at the club. He capped his performance with his first goal for the club.

Benoit Badiashile v Bournemouth -

86/101 pass completed (85% accuracy) - most in game

I0 passes into final third

6/9 accurate long balls

1/1 dribbles completed

0 times dispossessed

1 clearance

2 interceptions

3 ball recoveries

5 duels won

First goal for Chelsea

(Stats via FotMob, heat map via Sofascore)

It was a much improved performance but the game was relatively even before the second goal. There were positives especially the performances of the younger players such as Badiashile ( again) and Madueke. The players off the bench also had a positive impact for both the second and third goals. I would say looking at this game and the season overall Chelsea will need a defensive midfielder signing. This will provide more solidity to the team overall and will likely free up Enzo Fernandez to play further up the pitch. He has performed quite well in a deeper role but he would probably prefer to be more advanced.

Frank Lampard reaction -

"I'm pleased for the players, the fans and the club. Everyone is looking at Chelsea because we've been a huge success over the last 20 years so people probably delight in a tough moment.” (SkySports)

"I am happy. We have come off the back off a tough run and a tough year. There is a lot of work to do, but with the performance and result in isolation, I think we were really good. We deserved to win the game and it is a nice step forward for the group.” (BBC Sport )

“It’s not about me in the long run, it’s about how the club progresses and today was a day where we got some nice positives.”

Chelsea are at home to Nottingham Forest next Saturday before a difficult looking end to the season with games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea - three wins in a week for Chelsea as pressure eases

After progression into the quarter finals of the Champions League following a very good performance against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Chelsea continued their recent mini upturn in form with another win over Leicester City at the King Power.

In terms of team news Reece James and Raheem Sterling were unavailable through illness and injury respectively. This meant Ruben Loftus-Cheek started at right wing back and Mykhaylo Mudryk also started in a role similar to what Raheem Sterling was in against Borussia Dortmund. Although this is not what is shown below in the formation. The front three especially were quite fluid. The rest of the team were the same as against Dortmund in midweek.

Chelsea took the lead early on as a cross from Kalidou Koulibaly after a corner was volleyed in from an angle by Ben Chilwell against his former club. Patson Daka equalised for Leicester with a strike from distance which beat Kepa after Felix was dispossessed. Kai Havertz then scored with a nice finish after a wonderful chipped pass from Enzo Fernandez. Mateo Kovacic completed the scoring with another great volley after a header down from Mudryk who claimed his first assist for the club.

Enzo Fernandez with a great chipped pass to Havertz who finished well

Mudryk started in a more advanced role to stretch the opposition like Raheem Sterling did against Borussia Dortmund with Havertz playing deeper again to find spaces. Mudryk did though at times come short to receive the ball.

Once Chelsea took the lead just before half time, there was a switch to 5-3-2 at the break as Conor Gallagher came on to replace Felix. This was to prevent James Maddison from being as free in dangerous areas. Towards the end they matched Leicester with a back four. The team played on the break and Mudryk put the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside before his assist for the Kovacic goal which secured the win.

Mudryk in a more advanced role in the first half

Leicester left gaps at the back in behind in the second half. On this occasion Mudryk put the ball in the net but was in an offside position

The key thing for Chelsea was their ability to finish chances.

The team stats show that Chelsea shaded possession but only slightly with 51%. Leicester had more shots (17) with 7 on target. They created 3 big chances which were all missed. Chelsea had 12 shots with 6 on target. Chelsea created 2 big chances and missed 1. The blues completed slightly more passes (453 with 84% accuracy) against Leicester who made 431 (83% accuracy). Chelsea also over performed their expected goals.

(Stats via FotMob)

Leicester (2.10) - Chelsea (1.45)

via Xg Philosophy

Overall the team in general performed well again. Defensively they were pretty solid. Koulibaly has improved his performances over the past few games and seems to have settled and adapted his game. He once again started in the centre of a back three with Cucurella on the left and Fofana on the right. A video of his performance is shown below.

Enzo had a very good game. Playing with Mateo Kovacic has helped to balance the midfield with both contributing defensively and also in the final third. His stats are below.

Enzo Fernández v Leicester City :

68/77 passes (most completed in game with 88% accuracy)

7 passes into final third

5/7 accurate long balls

6 duels won

5 ball recoveries

4 passes into opposition box

2 tackles won

1 assist

0 fouls

(via Squawka)

Heat map via Sofa Score

Ben Chilwell continuing in his more favoured left wing back role created 3 chances and also scored the opening goal. Marc Cucurella won the most tackles in the game (7).

Leicester did create chances but overall the win was fully deserved.

Graham Potter was pleased with another win to end the week and the teams performance.

“It’s been a good week, a really good week. Three wins, started with a determined performance against Leeds, the result against Dortmund and then to back it up today is really impressive from the players because it isn’t easy to do that in the Premier League."

He also said that the decision to substitute Joao Felix for Conor Gallagher was due to tactics and not injury.

"It was just tactical. I wanted to use an extra midfield player in there, so changed it a bit with Conor. I felt we needed somebody that could maybe ball-win, a little bit of a different profile in there. I thought Conor was fantastic when he came on." ( Chelsea FC)

He also spoke highly of Enzo and Mudryk who both provided assists in the game.

Chelsea’s next match is against Everton at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.

Chelsea 0-0 Fulham-disjointed performance but some positive signs as Enzo Fernandez makes his debut

Chelsea produced another goalless draw against a resolute Fulham side at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening. There was a debut for record signing Enzo Fernandez who joined the club in the final hours of transfer deadline day.

Reece James also started a game for the first time since his setback on his return from a previous injury against Bournemouth at the end of December. Mykhaylo Mudryk started his first game for the club. It was later revealed by Graham Potter he had played the game with a heavy cold. He was substituted for another new signing Noni Madueke at half time. Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile continued with their partnership in central defence.

One of the stories coming into the game was the de registration of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from the UEFA Champions League squad going forward. He was taken out as others were left in. Mudryk, Felix and Enzo Fernandez were the three names chosen to add to the squad. Aubameyang was also left out of the squad for this game, as was Lewis Hall with the returning Ben Chilwell on the bench for this game.

Chelsea starting line up via Sofa Score

Fulham had a starting lineup consisting of many of the same players that have started games for them this season. This also included former blue Willian who has been in good form and scored a goal in the reverse fixture which they won. They were set up well and organised as they have been throughout much of this season. They made things difficult by defending well and denying Chelsea space especially through the middle of the pitch.

Chelsea had more possession (67%) and also made 568 passes (86% accuracy) with Fulham making 226 passes (72% accuracy).

They had 12 shots with 7 on target. Fulham had 10 with 3 on target. Chelsea had 2 big chances whilst Fulham did not have any.

Chelsea 1.34 - 0.72 Fulham xg ( via @xGPhilosphy)

Enzo Fernandez performed quite well despite his lack of time training with the rest of the squad. He was played in a deeper role with Mount and Gallagher ahead of him. This was a good start for him and showed what he was capable of. He showed a good range of passing and also did quite a lot of defensive work.

With the injuries in midfield currently to players like Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Denis Zakaria (as well as the sale of Jorginho), Chelsea had a lack of viable options to partner him in a deeper role. This would likely have given him a bit more freedom and licence to get forward.

Enzo Fernandez v Fulham

74 passes (85% accuracy)

6/7 accurate long balls

8 passes into final third

10 x possession won

5/6 tackles won (most)

9/13 duels won

3 clearances

1 block

2 interceptions

2 fouls won

1 chance created

1 shot

0 fouls

(Stats via Squawka , heat map via Sofa score)

Noni Madueke came on to make his debut and had a few promising dribbles and runs but the final product was not quite there yet. Another one that will likely improve. David Datro Fofana had one good chance and got himself into a promising position before seeing his effort cleared off the line.

In the end it was a familiar story of failing to convert the chances presented. There were some good moments but overall there seemed to be a lack of cohesion, especially between the midfield and attack as well as in build up play. The defensive partnership of Silva and Badiashile continues to blossom as the pair kept their third clean sheet in a row and were aided by Kepa who made a few good saves.

The return of Reece James was positive as he completed around 60 minutes. Ben Chilwell also made a cameo off the bench.

Graham Potter to BBC sport - “The spirit of the players was really good. They worked hard for each other against an organised team.They've been together a while. We’re a different stage of that – players coming back from injury and new players. We needed time to settle everything down. We were missing the connection, fluidity and confidence that comes from knowing each other.

The decision we took in the window you can see the profile in terms of age. We feel we have a very strong group of players. We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.”

On Enzo Fernandez - “Handled himself magnificently. Tough game, you can see his quality, you can see what he will bring to the team. Not easy for him or for us because he hasn’t been with us that long , you will see how good he can be and how much he can influence the team.”

The team play West Ham next at the London Stadium before the resumption of the Champions League where Chelsea are away to Borussia Dortmund.