Bournemouth vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Essentially an early pre-season friendly for 2016/17, Chelsea beat Bournemouth 4-1 at Dean Court. An early opener from Pedro, a deft chip from Willian and a brace from Eden Hazard were more than enough for three points.
Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink started a veteran side; the Blues' only player under 25 was 21-year-old left-back Baba Rahman. Considering they have nothing much to play for, the opening selection showed respect for Bournemouth and manager Eddie Howe.
The Cherries—who bested the defending champions at Stamford Bridge last December 1-0—must have known their west London visitors would be seeking revenge, but the comfort of Chelsea's victory might have worried Howe's club were they not already safe from relegation.
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Performances spanning the complete spectrum were on show—winners, losers and inbetweeners.
Winners: Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic
Giving a man-of-the-match performance, Cesc Fabregas was unplayable. A hat-trick of assists for the Spanish midfielder proved the difference. Picking passes, clever flicks and exuding a level of confidence expected from last August, Fabregas ran the show.
His midfield partner, Nemanja Matic, made that possible.
The Serbian's precipitous dip in form is in the top three reasons why Chelsea have struggled to reach the lofty heights they set in 2014/15—when the 27-year-old was the Blues' most important player.
Showing against Bournemouth that reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated, Matic bossed defensive midfield. When he plays to his level, he protects his back four, connects play from defense to attack and allows Fabregas to create offensive opportunities for his team-mates.
The Serbian is an invaluable footballer for Chelsea, and the Blues need his form to return before next season.
Losers: Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel
Despite Matic's virtual human shield, Hiddink's centre-back experiment was not successful. Starting Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel together in the heart of Chelsea's defence, the Dutchman was possibly overreaching.
Kurt Zouma, John Terry and Gary Cahill are the Blues' preferred centre-halfs. With them unavailable, Hiddink's options are limited, but not to the point of starting Mikel out of position. Matt Miazga made the bench; the young American needs every Premier League minute he can get before an army of current loanees and academy players muddy the waters for impending head coach Antonio Conte.
It did not aid Mikel having Ivanovic as his partner. Maybe the experience of Terry or pace of Zouma alongside would have helped, as Ivanovic has appeared neither sage nor quick this season. Playing the last two seasons as a right back, the Serbian is a natural centre-back, and he looks better centrally, but not to the point of celebration.
Should Chelsea's defender crisis continue, Hiddink's last four games as interim manager should be interesting.
Loser: Eddie Howe
From the game's opening whistle, it was apparent Fabregas was the key to Chelsea's attack. The midfielder was a deep-lying playmaker to start, but as the game progressed, he became more advanced.
It was mysterious how much space the Spain international received. Balls to full-backs, fellow midfielders or centre-forward Diego Costa were too simple for a player of his quality to locate and execute.
That must fall on Eddie Howe's tactics from a Bournemouth perspective.
Maybe trying to man-mark Fabregas, or not playing a high defensive line, would have served his club better?
For all their troubles, Chelsea have match-winners—and the person who feeds them (not discounting his own abilities) is Fabregas. Shut the Blues' No. 4 down and you are halfway home. Howe had few ideas in that regard, and his team paid a great price.
Winner: Eden Hazard
The last time Hazard scored in the Premier League was against Crystal Palace, last season, in a game that clinched Chelsea the 2014/15 title.
My, how times have changed.
Going almost 30 games and 2,000 minutes without scoring, the Belgian (and still reigning PFA Player of the Year), finally scored his first goal in the 2015/16 Premier League.
A smart finish from outside the 18-yard box beat Bournemouth's goalkeeper Artur Boruc, and there was immediate acknowledgement from Chelsea players, and Hazard himself, that a mission had been completed.
If only the 25-year-old had been around for the season's opening half (along with the majority of the Blues' first team) ninth place would not be their current position. Adding a second goal in injury time—assisted by Matic—Hazard might be finding form, but it was way too little, way too late.
That said, the Blues supporters did remind Hiddink's men to beat Tottenham Hotspur on May 2; if that order is to be completed, having an on-song Hazard in the London derby is imperative.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
