This is MAUR like it!
BUT HOWE MAKES SARRI SWEAT
ONE day, probably a few months from now, when Chelsea are zipping the ball around, the early teething troubles of the Maurizio Sarri regime will be happily forgotten.
But until then, Blues fans might have to endure a few more nerve-racking afternoons like this one.
The Italian has built his reputation on his ability to coax expansive attacking football from his teams.
But until Chelsea develop more of a cutting edge in attack, sides like Bournemouth – much like Newcastle before them – will feel they are in with a chance of frustrating them.
That is what Eddie Howe’s charges set out to do here, and for 70 minutes, as Chelsea huffed and puffed on a sweltering September afternoon, the plan worked perfectly.
The hosts dominated possession but were held at arm’s length, to the growing frustration of Stamford Bridge.
In the end, Sarri was thankful to substitute Pedro, whose
willingness to actually take a shot swung matters decisively in Chelsea’s favour.
Eden Hazard made the result safe late on – but this was a far trickier afternoon than the final score would suggest.
“It was a very difficult game,” the Blues boss said.
“They were very organised and defended very well so the situation was difficult in the first half.
“Maybe we needed to move the ball faster, and more movement without the ball. You can win this kind of match in the last 20 or 25 minutes and I was always confident. But our performances can improve.”
Howe switched to a back three here but it was all hands to the pump in the opening minutes as Chelsea started well.
Willian drew a sharp stop from Asmir Begovic after a slick corner routine and Bournemouth were relieved to see Antonio Rudiger miss the target with a free header.
The Cherries slowly settled, though, and carried a threat on the break.
Callum Wilson led the charge with a series of forceful runs but was wasteful when presented with the best chance of the opening period.
Wilson’s eyes lit up when debutant Diego Rico whipped in a cross from the left but he could not control his finish.
Chelsea continued to live dangerously at the start of the second half, gifting Nathan Ake the freedom of the six-yard box from a Rico corner.
The former Chelsea man fluffed his lines, though, leaving Howe dreaming about what might have been.
“They were two key chances we didn’t take,” said the Bournemouth boss.
“We did well for long periods of the game and nullified Chelsea’s strengths. But we know how big those moments can be and we paid the price.”
That point was rammed home when Pedro waltzed through to put Chelsea ahead.
The visitors looked to have enough men back when the winger picked up the ball.
But a slick one-two with Olivier Giroud and a smart change of direction created space for a shot.
A deflection off the unfortunate Steve Cook gave Begovic no chance. And Hazard put a gloss on the scoreline in the dying moments, shimmying down the left flank and finishing low after exchanging passes with Marcos Alonso.
That sealed a fourth-straight win for Chelsea at the start of the season. But Sarri was at pains to stress that his side have some way to go before they can be considered genuine contenders for the Premier League title this term.
“I’m very happy with 12 points in four matches – but I always think we can do more,” he added.
“The gap to Manchester City last season was 30 points.
“And I think it’s very difficult to close that in only one season.”