Bournemouth thrash Chelsea in dominant display
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The visitors suffered a chastening 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out in the league and an inconsistent run, coupled with Man United’s superb winning streak, has left the Blues only three points clear of Arsenal and United in fourth and clinging nervously to the final Champions League spot.
Fresh from his loan move, Gonzalo Higuain made his debut in Chelsea’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and manager Maurizio Sarri will be hoping the Argentine can hit the ground running to fire the Blues back into the Champions League next season. Follow it live:
What time does it start?
Bournemouth vs Chelsea kicks off at 7.45pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.45pm on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Nathan Ake: The Dutch Bournemouth centre-back faces his former club amid rumours that Chelsea are looking to re-sign the defender after an impressive spell at the south coast club.
Best stat…
0: There has never been a draw in any previous meeting between the two sides in all competitions spanning 14 fixtures.
Remember when…
Eden Hazard scored a dramatic late winner for Chelsea against Bournemouth earlier this season in their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Player to watch…
Kepa Arrizabalaga: The world’s most expensive goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant penalty save in his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg success and the Spaniard has quietly impressed this season with his shot stopping as well as his maturity in net.
Past three-meetings…
Chelsea 1 (Hazard) Bournemouth 0, Carabao Cup, December 2018
Chelsea 2 (Pedro, Hazard) Bournemouth 0, Premier League, September 2018
Chelsea 0 Bournemouth 3 (Wilson, Stanislas, Ake), Premier League, January 2018
Form guide…
Bournemouth: LLDLLW
Chelsea: WLWLWW
Odds…
Bournemouth to win: 9/2
Chelsea to win: 4/6
Draw: 16/5
(Odds provided by Betfair)
Liverpool vs Leicester
Team news
Virgil van Dijk recovers from illness to make the starting line up for Liverpool. Xherdan Shaqiri and Georginio Wijnaldum come into the side as James Milner and Fabinho drop out.
Leicester make three changes as Jonny Evans, James Maddison and Marc Albrighton come back. Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan and Harvey Barnes miss out.
Tottenham vs Watford
Team news
Spurs make eight changes from their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
Son Heung-min returns from the Asian Cup to boost the attacking prowess of the London club.
For Watford only Daryl Janmaat, Craig Cathcart and Will Hughes keep their places from the FA Cup win against Newcastle.
Troy Deeney returns to skipper the side.
And we're underway!
Bournemouth 0 - 0 Chelsea
Southampton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
3 mins: Southampton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
Southampton concede two quick fire corners but Palace fail to capitalise on the set plays.
3 mins: Bournemouth 0 - 0 Chelsea
Joshua King takes a right-footed shot from outside the box but the shot is blocked. Bournemouth have started the game well.
6 mins: Bournemouth 0 - 0 Chelsea
Chelsea recover and get the ball into the box from the wing aiming for Higuain. The ball goes past him but finds Kovacic who hits the crossbar with a strong header.
11 mins: Bournemouth 0 - 0 Chelsea
All Chelsea at the minute, Hazard whips the ball past Ake and takes a shot on the counter but it's an easy save for Boruc.
12 mins: Southampton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha wins a free kick for Palace but the teams look content to battle it out in mid-field with little action in the final third at either end of the pitch.
13 mins: Southampton 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
As I typed that, Luka Milivojevic gets the ball off Andros Townsend and lines up a right footed shot from outside the box. There's a moment of suspense but the ball sails over the bar as the attempt is too high.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments