AFCON 2025
Chelsea maintained their strong start to the season with a gritty 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, thanks to a decisive late intervention from substitutes Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku, who combined to score the winning goal.
Bournemouth started brightly, with Marcus Tavernier’s long-range effort crashing off the crossbar within four minutes.
Summer signing Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo took turns testing Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal while Justin Kluivert was also denied by the Chelsea goalkeeper.
The hosts’ best chance arrived after a catastrophic Wesley Fofana backpass, which Evanilson capitalized on to win a penalty. However, Sánchez came to Chelsea’s rescue once more, parrying the striker’s penalty.
Chelsea’s lackluster display prompted Enzo Maresca to introduce João Félix and Jadon Sancho, changes that gradually shifted the momentum in their favor. Bournemouth continued to threaten on the counter, but their inability to convert chances proved costly.
The decisive moment arrived when Nkunku, introduced from the bench, collected Sancho’s pass, breezed past defenders, and fired into the corner to send the visiting fans into ecstasy.
