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Nkunku impact and Sancho assist as two others struggle - Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Jadon Sancho made an impact on his Chelsea debut against Bournemouth
-Credit: (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)


Chelsea returned to Premier League action with a 1-0 win away at Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Following the first international break of the 2024/25 season, Blues boss Enzo Maresca made two changes to his team as Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga replaced Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez in the side.

There was to be no start for new loan signing Jadon Sancho, who took his place on the bench to begin with. Bournemouth started strongly and went close to the opener as Marcus Tavernier struck the crossbar with a rasping drive from outside the area, before the winger and Justin Kluivert forced the Spaniard into saves low down.

Chelsea did have a couple of openings on goal, with Nicolas Jackson seeing a shot at the near post saved by Mark Travers. Bournemouth then missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring shortly before the break as Sanchez went to his left and saved Evanilson's penalty after bringing the striker down in the box.

Introducing Sancho at the break, the visitors did create some chances on goal and went close through Jackson on a couple of occasions. They did manage to find the crucial breakthrough with time running out as substitute Christopher Nkunku took in Sancho's pass and turned superbly before calmly finding the bottom corner.

Here is how football.london rated the Chelsea players in the game at the Vitality Stadium.

Robert Sanchez

Saved from Tavernier on 17 minutes and produced an excellent stop at his near post to deny Justin Kluivert. Gave away a penalty not long before half-time after fouling Evanilson but he atoned for it as he denied the striker from the spot with a brilliant penalty save. Made some more good saves after the break as Bournemouth tried to make the breakthrough. 9

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Axel Disasi

Named in the team at right-back with Malo Gusto absent and unfortunately couldn't get a crucial touch to the ball early on which led to Tavernier testing Sanchez. Was guilty of hoofing the ball upfield despite having time on the ball and then lost Tavernier as Kluivert forced a save from Chelsea's No.1. Struggled at right-back at times and was replaced on 61 minutes. 5

Wesley Fofana

Played his part going forward with a couple of good runs as he displayed his nimble footwork. However, did play a short pass back to Sanchez and that allowed Evanilson to win a penalty Moved to right-back following Tosin Adarabioyo's introduction. 6

Levi Colwill

Teed Jackson up for a chance after embarking on a run forward with no Bournemouth players challenging him. Produced a strong showing at centre-back and blocked well from Antoine Semenyo late on. 7

Marc Cucurella

Booked for a challenge on Evanilson late in the first half and had to be careful after that. Linked up well with Sancho minutes into the second half but nobody could convert his low cross. Got into some good attacking positions and formed a good partnership with the new loan signing. 6

Renato Veiga

Came in for his first Premier League start and had a nervy couple of minutes as he miskicked the ball which resulted in Tavernier striking the bar seconds later. Grew into the contest as it wore on and did catch the eye with a strong run into the box before getting his wires crossed with Cole Palmer. 7

Moises Caicedo

Captain on the night for the Blues and put in a really good shift in the middle of the park. Set Jackson free early in the second half with a stunning ball. 7

Noni Madueke

Went on a couple of good attacking runs, notably one just after the midway stage of the first half where he teed up Jackson. Just couldn't influence things as much after the break and made way on the hour mark. 6

Cole Palmer

Tried to make things happen in the final third for Chelsea but found it hard to influence proceedings with Bournemouth making life difficult for him. 6

Pedro Neto

Only saw the ball on a couple of occasions in the first half and made way for Sancho at half-time after struggling to have an impact on the game. 5

Nicolas Jackson

Strayed offside for his first attempt on goal after some good play from Madueke and then saw Mark Travers save a shot moments later after Colwill had played him in. Curled an effort wide of the post early in the second half before later seeing Marcos Senesi bock his shot when Palmer wanted it laying off to him. 5

Substitutes

Jadon Sancho (Pedro Neto,46)

Introduced at half-time in place of Neto and immediately had a say going forward as he linked up well with Cucurella before then teeing up Jackson. Played a major role in the winner after slipping in Nkunku to win the game. Bright debut. 7

Tosin Adarabioyo (Axel Disasi, 61)

Came on at centre-back as Fofana moved across to the right. 5

Joao Felix (Noni Madueke, 61)

Played centrally after entering the fray but couldn't help make the crucial breakthrough until Nkunku won it late on. 5

Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 79)

On for the final ten minutes of the contest and was the hero as he gave Chelsea the lead with a cool finish after taking in Sancho's pass. Superb goal from the Frenchman after producing a brilliant turn to create a yard of space to net. 7