Havertz and Mount on Target as Chelsea see off Bournemouth

• Chelsea ended a winless streak of five games with a convincing win over Bournemouth at home
• Kai Havertz and Mason Mount both scored
• Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-0

Chelsea won their first Premier League game since October 16 with goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, but the hosts’ day was ruined when Reece James’ comeback was cut short due to injury.

Graham Potter named James to the starting XI after he returned from more than two months out with a knee injury, and he excelled for nearly an hour before collapsing in front of the head coach and having to be replaced. Later, the right-back left Stamford Bridge with a brace on his right knee.

Goals from Havertz and Mount put Chelsea in command, and they could hold on for the win to relieve pressure on Potter and close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham to six points with a game in hand.

Chelsea appeared shaken by James’ departure, allowing Bournemouth back into the game, but the visitors lacked the quality to trouble the Blues, who had lost their last three games without scoring a goal.

An end to the losing run

Mason Mount celebrates his goal against Bournemouth.| PHOTO: Sporting News|

Chelsea went into the game as heavy favourites. They were well on their way to clinching the victory before the half-hour mark thanks to Havertz and Mount, who provided the end product of some vastly improved attacking play by the previously wasteful Blues.

Raheem Sterling’s excellent right-wing cross gave the German forward an easy opportunity to slip the ball past Mark Travers for his goal. Mount’s goal came from the edge of the area as he bent the ball past the Bournemouth goalkeeper for his second.

Towards the end of the first half, the Blues’ play grew a little sloppy, and Thiago Silva nearly put his team in trouble with a couple of foolish passes across his own area.

James’ injury motivated Bournemouth, and Kepa Arrizabalaga had to make a save from Ryan Christie. Dominic Solanke then headed wide against his former team in stoppage time. Still, Bournemouth’s lack of creativity in the final third allowed Chelsea to finish the game with a comparatively easy victory.

Manager Thoughts

Recce James Injury. |PHOTO: Sports Mole|

James’ setback worries Potter, who also noted that any team would miss the quality the England right-back provided.

“We’ll have to see how the next 24 to 48 hours go. It was a sort of chopping action, and then he felt something. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. He’s disappointed. We’re just hoping it isn’t as bad.

“Reece is a world-class player. You see it from the outside, but it’s not until you work with him that you understand how good he is. He’s an incredible player. He would fit into any team in the world, so any team would miss him.”

Gary O’Neil, the head coach of Bournemouth, acknowledged that his team suffered as a result of failing to match Chelsea’s quick start at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues scored both of their goals within the opening quarter of an hour.

Chelsea’s next fixture is away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.