Chelsea 2 – Palmer 13’, James 90+5’
Bournemouth 2 – Kluivert 50’ (Pen), Semenyo 68’
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Phew….
There have been far too many games like that this season. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bad result. But I’m feeling more thankful than angry in the moments after the game. This is what that 2022-23 season did to my mentality, if you missed that quick recap, you can find it in my intro blog.
The game kicks off and Chelsea look great. The team is pressing high, winning the ball back fast, controlling the opening ten minutes, creating chances. Then Nicolas Jackson received the ball at his feet at the halfway line, defender on his back, wriggled out of the challenge and away from an additional two defenders, and turned to start sprinting towards the Bournemouth goal. The Cherries back line tried to prevent him having a free run at goal, but by the time they stepped up to greet him, Cole Palmer had made a run in behind and Jackson played a perfectly weighted through ball. Palmer didn’t even break stride or need to take a touch, he shot faked the goalkeeper (who even decided to take a seat so he could enjoy the show) and placed the ball in the back of the net with a calm finish in the 13th minute. They don’t call him Cold Palmer for nothing.
13’ – Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth
Chelsea could have had a couple more goals before the halftime whistle blew… which is becoming a theme this season. I am glad that Nicolas Jackson is a Chelsea player. He has gotten better and better since we spent £32 million on him in the summer of 2023. I think even he would tell you that the one part of his game that needs significant improvement is his finishing, which is kind of important if you play striker. Especially at a club like Chelsea.
Halftime. Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth.
We start the second half looking looking like we just rolled out of bed and conceded a clear penalty that the 22nd minute injury substitute, Justin Kluivert, converted just five minutes into the period.
50’ – Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth
Five minutes later, Marc Cucurella-ella-ella… sorry… literally gets clotheslined while making a run into space while our goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has the ball in his hands looking to put the ball back into play. Cucu does about 10 barrel rolls to get the referees attention (great work son) and the referee runs over, blows his whistle, puts his hand to his ear to hear what the VAR has to say, and uses his index fingers to draw the imaginary box in the air in front of him that signals he will go take a look at the replay to determine if the play is worthy of a red card.
Somehow this guy, it actually wasn’t Anthony Taylor screwing Chelsea (and Cucurella for that matter) over for once, decided that the play “was a reckless action and not violent conduct” and he gave the Bournemouth player a yellow card.
Obviously I’m biased, but what the fuck?
After that, the youth and inexperience in the Chelsea squad really started to show. Once something doesn’t go their way in a match, it snowballs into the players’ attitudes and it affects their play for the rest of the game.
Side bar: In my intro blog, I mentioned the guys that the new owners hired to find/sign new players. Long story short, their whole strategy is to buy younger players with more promise than proof over older, more experienced players who have dealt with the ups and downs of a full premier league/other top five domestic league season.
This has resulted in our team consistently being inconsistent due to having one of, if not the youngest starting XI in the league on a weekly basis. We have some good players that are forming what will be the core of the Chelsea squad for the foreseeable future, but until the club brings in a true leader (Ohhhh Thiago Silvaaaaa…) I fear the inconsistency will continue. I’ll get into more talk around the squad and overall future after the transfer window closes in two weeks. With Wes Fofana’s injury, we NEED to bring a CB into the squad by the end of the window. There are links to former Chelsea academy player and one of Crystal Palace’s captains, Marc Guehi. We’ll see what ends up happening. I think they might need some help in the attack as well, especially if Nkunku goes to Bayern. Let’s get back to the game.
So what happens next you ask? The snowball became too large and an immaculate strike off of Antonie Semedo’s left foot beat Robert Sanchez at his near post and Chelse are down 2-1.
68’ – Chelsea 1-2 Bournemouth
At this point, I’ve seen this story so many times that I can only laugh and hope we are able to pull a point out of our ass by the end of the game.
Which is exactly what happens.
Club captain Reece James, subbed on in the 56th minute for only his 5th appearance of the season. He is the best RB in the world…
IF
he is fit and healthy.
That’s size 50 font. That’s a pretty big if.
In the 85th minute, 6’5 CB substitute Tosin Adarabioyo blocks a left footed strike on target by the penalty scorer Kluivert. I think the ball goes in and Chelsea are down 3-1 if he doesn’t block the shot. Absolutely massive. Literally. Get it?
Substitute Joao Felix draws a foul a few yards out of the Bournemouth penalty box in the 95th minute and Chelsea have two magicians in Cole Palmer and Reece James standing over the ball, hoping to tie the game with the next kick.
BANG. Tie game
90+5’ – Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
The remaining added time runs out and the referee blows the final whistle, I presume he ran out of Stamford Bridge as fast as humanly possible.
What started off looking like a no-doubt Chelsea three points turned into an absolute sweat-fest praying that we could muster up a measly one.
Life as a Chelsea fan.
Next up they are home v Wolves on Monday, January 20th. Chelsea won the first matchup this season 6-2.
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