James thwarts Bournemouth but redemption act can’t stop Chelsea slide | Premier League

From title contenders to top-four contenders to rekindle the undercurrent of discontent with the direction of the club, quite a slide for Chelsea. The returning Thomas Tuchel will have seen few of the players he left behind in 2022, but he will have been reminded of the permanent danger of being a Chelsea manager.

Formerly a pair of safe hands guiding the Chelsea project, Enzo Maresca’s success formula is faltering. His side displayed a combination of indolence and debauchery, struggling with a spirited Bournemouth side stripped to the bare bones. It took an extra free-kick from Reece James, openly criticized by Maresca, his Chelsea career hampered by injury, and a survivor of the Tuchel era, to prevent defeat.

A strong Chelsea approach created chances from the opening seconds and Enzo Fernández lost his footing as the goal beckoned. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s David Brooks had already taken an almighty crunch on the chops from Marc Cucurella.

Next, Jadon Sancho and Cole Palmer combined, only for Palmer’s usually reliable left foot to fail. No worries here. Palmer’s goal soon followed, Nicolas Jackson spinning off Illia Zabarnyi, the finish full of usual bravado.

Bournemouth struggled to exert their usual energy levels, Iraola’s selection reflecting a team carrying a heavy load; he had only 12 senior players to call upon, no suitable strikers. At 19, Dean Huijsen has become one of the seniors. In the spirit of the January window, the Dutchman was one of four starters currently linked with Chelsea – Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo and Zabarnyi completed the quartet, although the latter may be dropped from the list after being given a tough time by Jackson.

Speaking of which, Chelsea’s hope of selling the misfiring Axel Disasi opens the door for Josh Acheampong in defence. The teenager is understood to be a favorite among the club’s hierarchy. As the club’s PA announcer noted in Stamford Bridge’s Americanized pre-match celebrations – including kiss cam – the average age of Chelsea’s squad is under 23.

Maresca left Christopher Nkunku on the bench, perhaps mindful of the Frenchman’s winner as a substitute when the teams met in September. Sancho, the provider of that goal, was one of 10 changes from this weekend’s stroll past Morecambe. Such are the advantages of large teams. No such luxury for Iraola, who was forced to bring on his only senior replacement, Justin Kluivert, when James Hill was stopped in the 23rd minute. This meant that the captain, Lewis Cook, switched to emergency full-back.

In midfield, the return of Romeo Lavia has freed up Fernández to make his bull-like, barreling runs, and many more first-half chances resulted. The other side of Jackson was seen after Huijsen was turned inside out by Noni Madueke’s run and the chance missed horribly.

Iraola called for more energy from his team, but appeared exhausted himself as he did so. His shoulders slumped after Kluivert hit the post and Chelsea hit back on the counter and Jackson also hit the post.

After 13 first-half shots to a single Kluivert effort, Chelsea should have been able to consign their recent woes to history. Instead, Bournemouth regrouped, Semenyo turned in Moisés Caicedo, another midfielder playing full-back, and penalties were awarded. Caicedo’s face betrayed guilt and his clumsiness. Kluivert, who had scored three from the spot against Wolves, comfortably sent Robert Sánchez the wrong way.

As if Maresca was correcting a player playing out of position, Reece James was thrown at full-back and Caicedo returned to midfield and Lavia left. Chelsea would be required to ride out a red and black storm, Bournemouth now brimming with energy. too much maybe? Brooks, almost certainly seeking revenge for the early clashes, avoided a red card – referee Rob Jones saw the tackle on screen – as it appeared to pull Cucurella by the hair.

Brooks, sent away by a reverse ball from Cook, had the shot from which Levi Colwill hurt himself trying to block. With Maresca and Chelsea in trouble, the Italian was frantic, scratching his skull in Pep Guardiola-esque exasperation as Jackson failed to shut down Ryan Christie and Acheampong showed Semenyo too much of the inside. The Chelsea-born striker did not leave the chance.

On came João Félix and Pedro Neto for Chelsea, the panic buttons were pressed. Bournemouth looked more likely until James’ moment of redemption. Full-time was met with a lingering, audible ennui Tuchel would no doubt recognise.