Match Day Bournemouth v Chelsea, Saturday 28th October 17:30

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

The tea time televised game for you folks.

Chelsea don't quite look 100% at the moment, they've had a few ropy results recently and should have dropped more points against Watford as well. With Kante still missing, they seem ever so slightly more vulnerable than usual.

We'll always have a go, even if it sometimes results in receiving a hammering. So there's just a chink of hope, having recently pushed Spurs and Man City so close, and now having picked up a couple of results to build upon some decent performances. We'll need to play to our best and make basically no mistakes though to have any chance.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Well we worked bloody hard, ultimately for nothing. But it's another respectable shift against a class outfit.

First half Chelsea created two gilt edged chances, both falling to Morata, who thankfully was in very wasteful form. Otherwise they moved the ball sideways in front of our defensive shape, and whilst we created nothing, we looked happy enough.

Second half we showed more forward interest, Jordon Ibe helping that. The game opened up a little more for both sides. Unfortunately Chelsea took advantage of an error from Francis, Hazard with a clinical near post finish.

Unfortunately our gameplan was busted by two injuries that might have serious ramifications for us longer term. Afobe and particularly Stanislas would be much missed.

The later it got the more we threw bodies forward and Chelsea looked to soak up and counter. Half chances for us came and went without serious threat, Chelsea always breaking with pace and intent.

Right at the death Surman had our best chance of the game with a clear sight of goal from 10 yards out. Sadly his shot straight at the keeper.

Chelsea deserved the narrow win. Their defensive shape and organisation is first class, and it was so hard to trouble them seriously without taking the big risks we were forced into at the end. A shame yet another decent shift has come to no fruition for us. And if those injuries are serious pulls or tears, then that's even worse for us than this result.

Big run of games coming up now.