ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
Magical Moises delivers 50-yard stunner
MOISES CAICEDO left it late but on the final day of Chelsea’s confusing campaign the midfielder produced arguably the season’s best goal.
It was certainly the longestrange effort as he struck from more than 50 yards to help secure sixth place for the Blues.
Caicedo does not find the net often – his previous club effort was in September 2022 – but this was worth waiting for.
Bournemouth keeper Neto had rushed off his line to thwart a Raheem Sterling counter-attack, only to send his clearance straight to Caicedo just inside the Chelsea half.
He took a touch and, with Neto retreating, sent a sublime rightfooter sailing into the net.
Sterling then secured a fifth straight win for Chelsea after a weaving dribble down the left on 48 minutes.
Bournemouth replied when Enes Unal’s shot was deflected in off Benoit Badiashile but there was no panic from the hosts as they signed off on a positive note.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino, below, will now meet sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart in the coming days for a debrief, with his future not entirely certain.
In a 780-word pre-match letter to fans, the club’s demanding owners outlined a six-point plan to bring the good times back to Stamford Bridge. They want consistent trophies and Champions League participation with a squad made up of the world’s most talented youngsters.
While no one is saying Pochettino will stay, it is obvious that he is improving Chelsea’s fortunes. Since the midway point of the campaign they have the division’s fourth-best record and they are now playing with freedom and verve.
Caicedo’s moment of magic from the halfway line emulated Wayne Rooney’s goal for Everton against West Ham in 2017.
And when Sterling made it 2-0 it looked like a comfortable second period was in store for the 39-year-old Thiago Silva on his farewell appearance.
But the Cherries hit back immediately through Unal and, for a brief period, the mid-table visitors appeared dominant.
A couple of months back Chelsea would have shrunk at the first sign of such pressure.
But they soon got back on top and Christopher Nkunku twice went close.
Substitute Dominic Solanke almost scored at the other end while Djordje Petrovic saved well from Dango Ouattara.
Ouattara was denied again late on before Solanke inexplicably sent the rebound over.