CHELSEA snapped a three-game losing streak in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
Kai Havertz grabbed a goal and an assist on his return after failing to make it out of the group stages at the World Cup with Germany.
Kai Havertz scored the first before providing the assist for the second
Mason Mount curled home a delicious effort from outside the area
Reece James was excellent until he went off injured
The German attacker opened the scoring after an excellent ball across the face of goal from Raheem Sterling, who was also impressive.
Havertz then turned from scorer to provider, teeing up the superb Mason Mount to curl in the second from 22 yards.
Bournemouth improved after the break as Graham Potter’s side tailed off, but the three points were never in real danger of slipping away from Chelsea.
Here’s how SunSport’s Giacomo Pisa rated the Blues in their 2-0 win.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
Wasn’t properly called into action until the 79h minute, where he saved well with his feet to deny Ryan Christie from a tight angle.
Looked good with the ball at his feet too, pinging it out to the full-backs confidently.
Reece James – 8
The right-back makes such a difference to Chelsea and didn’t look like he’d missed a game in what was his first outing since injuring his knee in October.
Put a number of dangerous crosses into the box throughout the game, but was visibly devastated after being forced off early in the second half.
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Kalidou Koulibaly – 6
Didn’t stand out at much as his centre-back partner Thiago Silva, but a decent enough showing nonetheless from the defender.
Dealt with the spirited Dominic Solanke easily enough, and was unlucky to see an excellent header sail just the wrong side of the post with 17 minutes left to play.
Thiago Silva – 7
Appeared to pick up a knock to his knee early on, but battled on regardless.
As calm and composed as ever, he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to clean up while making everything look effortless.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Went about his business well enough, but didn’t do anything to suggest he will start over Ben Chilwell when the Englishman returns from injury.
But the Spaniard will be encouraged by his performance, given he has struggled to really settle yet since his big money move from Brighton in the summer.
Jorginho – 7
Controlled the tempo of the game before the break, pulling the strings from midfield.
Didn’t have as much of a grip on it in the second half which allowed the Cherries knocked on the door more than in the first 45 minutes.
Denis Zakaria – 8
Handed his first Premier League start by boss Potter and did no harm to his chances of staying in the side.
Always eager to drive forward from midfield but did his defensive work well too, typified with a brilliant last-ditch challenge on Jordan Zemura in the first-half.
Denis Zakaria impressed on his first Premier League start
Mason Mount – 8
Doubled Chelsea’s advantage with a delightful curling effort from just outside the box.
Looked dangerous throughout and the confidence coursing through his veins thanks to his goal was clear for all to see.
Denied a second goal after a surging run from midfield by a decent Mark Travers save.
Christian Pulisic – 7
Carried on his good World Cup form with a spirited performance on the left-hand side, although he did tail off in the second half.
Unlucky not to have a goal to his name when referee Simon Hooper blew for a foul by Havertz on Adam Smith, which would have raised little attention if it wasn’t given.
Raheem Sterling – 8
His delightful low cross put the ball on a plate for Havertz to put Chelsea ahead.
Alongside Reece James the England duo were Chelsea’s main source of threat down the right, with Zemura unable to live with them.
His performance had everything but a goal.
It was a good night’s work for Raheem Sterling
Kai Havertz – 9
Should have done better when presented with a free header from a Cucurella cross but couldn’t keep his effort down.
Quickly put it behind him to slot Chelsea ahead on 16 minutes after getting between Marcos Senesi and Smith to slot home.
Teed up Mount for the second, laying the ball into the midfielder to curl home from outside the area.
Substitutes
Cesar Azpilicueta (on for James, 53) – 6
Didn’t have anywhere near as much attacking threat as James when he came on, but a solid enough performance from the Spaniard.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on for Pulisic, 82 mins) – 5
Had one run after coming on with the Blues on the break, but lost the ball when there were better options around him.
Conor Gallagher (on for Zakaria, 82 mins) – 5
Could have slid the ball into Raheem Sterling to make it 3-0 but elected to shoot instead, missing his effort.
Trevoh Chalobah (on for Sterling, 88 mins) – N/A
