Early goals help Chelsea crush Bournemouth

Jordan Henderson and Joao Pedro scored twice in a resounding win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where goals at the start of both halves helped them to victory.

Goals from Henderson – his first for Chelsea – and Morgan Rogers put the home side two up after just 149 seconds.

And, incredibly, Joao Pedro made it 3-0 35 seconds into the second half.

The win was somewhat soured by the Blues’ run without a clean sheet being extended to 22 matches – Evanilson pulled a goal back for Bournemouth.

But Xabi Alonso’s side responded with Joao Pedro’s second goal of the match and fifth of the season, before Henderson netted again.

Chelsea made a stunning start, with veteran midfielder Henderson firing in off the far post after being set up by Cole Palmer’s pull-back, and Rogers’ shot deflecting in off Bournemouth’s Antonio Silva.

A mistake by Silva led to the third goal, with Pedro Neto pouncing and then finding Joao Pedro, who applied the finish.

The Cherries were given hope when Chelsea struggled to deal with a corner and Evanilson scored by sticking his leg out to block an attempted clearance by Moises Caicedo, who was back in the side after injury.

But Chelsea hit back, with Joao Pedro side-footing home after being teed up by Pep Chavarría, and Henderson making it five with a brilliant free-kick bent into the far corner.

Chelsea: Martinez, Acehampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Chavarria, Henderson, Caicedo (Lavia 73), Neto (Welbeck 84), Palmer (Gusto 88), Rogers (Estevao 84), Joao Pedro (Palestra 72).
Subs not used: Penders, Fofana, Hato, Quenda.