AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea, Premier League: Half-time report

In the match-up between the defending Premier League Champions and manager Eddie Howe’s commanded men, it is Chelsea who have had the edge over Bournemouth in their performances despite the 0-0 scoreline.

After a bit of hustle and bustle from both sides as neither were able to break through their compact defences, Chelsea started to settle into the game by keeping possession of the ball and bringing it to Bournemouth’s defensive areas — even if not getting too many good chances to shoot at the time.

Meanwhile Bournemouth had been limited to getting the ball only on breaks from balls cut by their defence, with former Blues defender Nathan Aké and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic putting on some work; or from passes gone wrong for the Blues. But the defensive line of Antonio Rüdiger (in Gary Cahill’s spot!), David Luiz and César Azpilicueta coupled with our midfield of Tiemoué Bakayoko and Cesc Fàbregas have done well in keeping the Cherries’ attackers at bay — as well as blocking Bournemouth’s sole attempt at our goal this half.

In the best chance Chelsea had to score — a gift from Begovic, who played the wrong pass straight into Eden Hazard near Bournemouth’s box — striker Álvaro Morata shot it inches wide of the goal in an attempt that should have been buried past the keeper. Shortly after, a smartly played attacking corner by Chelsea had Morata finishing the deflected shot by David Luiz past Begovic. But the game had already been stopped as Azpilicueta was wrongly deemed offside and interfering with the play.

From 30 minutes on Chelsea tried to up the tempo of the match. This quickly payed dividends as Morata combined with Hazard to get another good chance and a great shot to score. However, Begovic made an even greater effort on his intervention to keep the score at 0-0.

Bournemouth tried to utilise Chelsea’s option to open up in the game to get forward, but all they could muster was a cross headed away from our box by Azpilicueta. And Chelsea answered with two shots straight at Begovic from Cesc after a pass from Pedro on the right of the Cherries’ penalty box, as the Blues’ opponents sat deeper into their defence.

Chelsea could have been up two goals if it was not for Morata missing his sitters. But still, we look very likely to be ones opening the score and keeping the advantage to our favor as Bournemouth have only offered one moment of danger thus far.

COME ON YOU BLUES!