Chelsea have been all over Bournemouth in a dominant first half at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues have only one goal to show for it.
After a few games in a row where the Blues have struggled to create clear chances, today has been the opposite. Bournemouth’s open style has given us plenty of time and space in midfield, and our creative players have taken full advantage.
The goal was a thing of beauty – Nicolas Jackson wriggled free in midfield and played in Cole Palmer. The Wythenshawe Wizard dashed in behind the Cherries back line for his one on one with Mark Travers, then sat the keeper down with an exquisite fake shot. You could tell from his celebration afterwards that he absolutely loved it.
But sadly the rest of the team didn’t do enough to back up his criticality. Jackson missed a good chance, and others were guilty of not making the right decision in front of goal.
You can see the goals in the clip embedded here:
Chelsea’s star man Cole Palmer opens the scoring for the Blues 🤩
That’s 20 Premier League goal involvements for the 22-year-old 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2bPGJCP5Bs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
[Footage from TNT Sports]
That shot fake from Cole Palmer… 😳pic.twitter.com/DTB24pES00
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 14, 2025
[Footage from ViaPlay Sport]
COLE PALMER IS JUST TOO COOL. ❄️
📺 Peacock | #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/LKigVvvMW2
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 14, 2025
[Footage from NBC Sport]
Chelsea must start finishing chances in second half
For all that we enjoyed the brilliant attacking play of Chelsea in the first half, they can’t afford to miss anymore chances. This game should be out of sight already, and if we throw it away now it will be immensely frustrating.
We can’t expect our opposition to be as open as they were in the first 45. They will surely get back into this.
Cole Palmer appeared to take a knock on his ankle, but he’s just emerged for the second half so we can breathe a little easier. Let’s wrap this one up with another goal or two and then get him subbed off.
