Jordan Henderson scored twice and set up another as Chelsea beat Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, with João Pedro also scoring twice. Xabi Alonso's side were 2-0 up inside three minutes and bounced back from their 3-0 defeat at Brentford before the international break.
Match facts
- Result: Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth (half-time 2-0)
- Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 6
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Scorers: Chelsea - Henderson 2', 70', Rogers 3', João Pedro 46', 67'; Bournemouth - Evanilson 51'
- Red cards: None
- Attendance: 39,676
- Next: Everton v Chelsea, Saturday 17 October; Bournemouth v Sunderland, Sunday 18 October
How the match unfolded
Chelsea scored with their first attack. Cole Palmer, who had announced a new contract until 2034 earlier in the day, carried the ball forward from halfway and cut it back for Henderson. In the second minute the 36-year-old midfielder curled a first-time shot in off the far post.
The second goal followed almost straight from the restart. Pedro Neto was denied by Djordje Petrovic, and then Henderson found Morgan Rogers on the left of the area. In the third minute Rogers' curling shot looped in off António Silva's head. A VAR check for offside against João Pedro, who was challenging Silva, let the goal stand. Sky Sports noted it was the earliest Chelsea have ever been 2-0 up in a Premier League game.
Bournemouth slowly found their feet. Rayan shot wide after being played in by Marcus Tavernier, and he had the visitors' best chance in the 36th minute. Emiliano Martínez rushed out to block his one-on-one effort and then recovered to stop Ryan Christie's follow-up.
Chelsea started the second half as fast as the first. Within a minute of the restart Neto went past Silva to the byline and pulled the ball back, and the fit-again João Pedro side-footed in.
Bournemouth pulled one back in the 51st minute. A flicked-on corner caused chaos in the six-yard box, and Moisés Caicedo's attempted clearance hit Evanilson and went into the net.
Any nerves were settled in the 67th minute. Rogers released Pep Chavarría down the left, and his first-time cross was tapped in by João Pedro. Three minutes later Palmer was fouled 25 yards out, and Henderson, not Palmer, took the free-kick. He bent it into the net for his second goal.
What the win means
The win lifts Chelsea to 10 points from six games, and they were fifth in the table at full-time. It ends a three-match winless run and follows a mixed start to Alonso's reign.
"Today it was a very complete performance," Alonso said afterwards. He said Henderson had done "many, many good things" beyond his two goals.
Bournemouth are still without a win this season, with three points from six matches. Head coach Marco Rose admitted his side "were not sharp enough", but said he remained confident they would turn their form around.
What comes next
Chelsea travel to Everton for an early kick-off on Saturday 17 October (12:30 UK). Bournemouth host Sunderland the following afternoon.