The Selection
Five changes were made to the Arsenal game. Wesley Fofana was absent due to a minor hamstring injury. Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah returned to the defense, Conor Gallagher came into midfield for Mateo Kovacic, and Kai Havertz and Mykhailo Mudryk joined Noni Madueke in the attack in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling.
Gallagher Grabs the Lead
Chelsea took the lead early in the game with a goal from Conor Gallagher. Bournemouth allowed N’Golo Kante to cross from the right, and Gallagher headed the ball into the net. It was the first time Chelsea had taken the lead in a game since the same player put them ahead at home to Brighton four games earlier.
The Home Team Hit Back
Bournemouth equalized with a quality shot from Matias Vina. Noni Madueke had been as lively as any Chelsea player in the first half but missed a couple of chances. The first half ended with the team’s level at one apiece.
Coming on Strong Late in the Second
Chelsea continued as the better team at the start of the second half. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Raheem Sterling were introduced as Chelsea looked to win back their previous control and win the game. Ben Chilwell was lost late on to a hamstring injury.
What’s Next?
Next Saturday, Chelsea plays the penultimate home game of the season when Nottingham Forest will be the visitors to Stamford Bridge. It is a 3 pm kick-off.
Lineups
Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Chalobah, Thiago Silva (c), Badiashile, Chilwell (Azpilicueta 75); Kante (Loftus-Cheek 63), Enzo, Gallagher; Madueke (Ziyech 75), Havertz (Joao Felix 84), Mudryk (Sterling 63).
Unused subs Mendy, Hall, Kovacic, Pulisic
Scorers Gallagher 9, Badiashile 82, Joao Felix 86
Booked Mudryk 15, Kante 20, Badiashile 65
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Senesi, Kelly, Vina; Lerma, Rothwell (Cook 59); Ouattara, Billing (Anthony 84), Christie (Semenyo 84); Solanke (Brooks 90).
Unused subs Travers, Mepham, Stephens, Stacey, Zabarnyi
Scorer Vina 21
Booked Senesi 45+3
Referee John Brooks