Chelsea’s Nkunku sinks Bournemouth amid Premier League yellow card record | Premier League

In the blue corner, Todd Boehly, In the other blue corner, Behdad Eghbali. In the meantime, Enzo Maresca must get on with the business of winning football matches. As the Chelsea soap opera takes its latest plot twist, it turning out this club ain’t big enough for two billionaire egos, Maresca’s team put in a performance just as dysfunctional as goings-on in the boardroom. And yet Christopher Nkunku’s late strike stole the points.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, as well-coached and energetic a team as can be found in the Premier League had the better chances, and played much the more progressive football. But a game that might be best recalled for an inordinate amount of yellow cards would not fall to the Basque’s team despite many a near-miss. Instead, the Frenchman, shaking off Bournemouth defenders, bundled home a winner that really should have been beyond a malfunctioning Chelsea.

In the absence of Enzo Fernández and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the imposing figure of Renato Veiga partnered Moisés Caicedo. That presence was supposed to grant Caicedo chance to make more of the loping runs that made his reputation at Brighton but the Portuguese player, making his first league start, needed help against the speed of Bournemouth’s press and attacks. In the opening salvos, Marcus Tavernier smashed a shot beyond Robert Sánchez and off the angle and when Axel Disasi dithered, within a flash, Evanilson was within a whisker of notching his first Premier League strike.

Nicolas Jackson, his tenure safely bolted down until 2033, led the line. Another addition to Chelsea’s range of wingers, Jadon Sancho was on the bench as new England international Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto flag flanked Cole Palmer. That attacking unit’s presence was scratchy in the first half, a wealth of individual talent seeking the right combinations. Adam Smith against Neto was a key battleground and the veteran of Bournemouth’s League One days was more than holding firm.

Chelsea’s defence and midfield were similarly listless, Veiga cumbersome and nervous, Caicedo wasteful. Another loss of possession and Evanilson was soon enough laying up Justin Kluivert to warm the hands of Sánchez as a warm late-summer’s day became a chilly coastal evening.

Just before the half hour, Madueke was finally granted space to make a trademark surge but his out-ball, Jackson, had strayed into an offside position. While referee Anthony Taylor bore the brunt of Chelsea’s fans’ unease, its roots lay in the performance of their team. At last, on 33 minutes, Mark Travers, standing in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, ineligible against the parent club that doesn’t want him, was asked to make a save, when Levi Colwill played in Jackson. The shot was straight at the Irish keeper.

Sánchez, Kepa’s replacement, became villain then immediate hero when conceding a penalty to Evanilson then saving from the same player. Taylor ruled the keeper had fouled the Brazilian in what looked more a 50-50 challenge after Wesley Fofana’s dreadfully under-clubbed backpass. A half that might have seen Bournemouth entering the break streets ahead closed with another Evanilson effort skidding wide.

Six first-half bookings suggested a bad-tempered contest when those came far more as a result of Taylor’s fastidiousness. Half-time brought the arrival of Sancho in for Neto, but a continuation of Chelsea’s problems in bringing the ball out from the back, Lewis Cook and Christie forever snapping at heels.

Sancho’s first real involvement saw him set up Jackson for another wasteful effort. Bournemouth were still having the better of the chances. Kluivert, speeding directly at goal, easily side-stepping Fofana, forced another Sánchez save. A training ground free-kick routine saw Antoine Semenyo crash just over then a deflected Ryan Christie shot pinged off the post. By the 62nd minutes, 10 had been booked, with nary a kick in anger aimed. And still no opening goal as Maresca brought off the disappointing Madueke for João Félix.

That Bournemouth had tired from their first-half efforts became apparent, and they began to retrench as Chelsea at last enjoyed the comfort of dominating possession. João Félix drifted around as Palmer edged forward in support of Jackson, and Iraola sent on fresh legs, including Luis Sinisterra. The hapless but game Jackson was removed for Nkunku, and when Sancho cut inside, the substitute scored a goal to remind that for all the dysfunction, Chelsea have stockpiled some worthy talent.