Sunday, October 29, 2017

Bournemouth 1-0



Telegraph:

Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1: Eden Hazard the difference in narrow yet comfortable win

Sam Dean

Amid all the inconsistencies and defensive fragilities, all the bluster and “bulls---” that has so infuriated Antonio Conte, here was an evening of welcome solidity for Chelsea.

A well-earned victory, a timely clean sheet and three points that keep them within touching distance - just about - of league leaders Manchester City will ensure this is regarded by the champions as a job well done.

Eden Hazard was the match-winner, scoring with a second-half strike after a series of Bournemouth errors, but more pleasing for Conte will be his side’s first clean sheet for more than a month.
“For sure, we played a good game,” the Chelsea manager said. “For a big part of the game we played very well, with maturity and good possession, and tried to create and find the right ball between the lines. We created many chances to score.”
A minor concern will be that only one of those chances was taken, but Conte will not be having many sleepless nights if his defence remains as resolute as this.

Bournemouth were limited to a handful of half-chances and nothing more, with manager Eddie Howe admitting afterwards that his side were “too passive”. Their struggles continue, and they continue to linger in a perilous 19th place in the league table after 10 games.
That will not change if they continue to defend like they did for Hazard’s goal, which played out in three painful acts for the home side.

First, defender Simon Francis fluffed his clearance, allowing Hazard in. Second, Francis slipped when trying to make amends. And then, in a third and sorry final instalment, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was far too easily beaten by Hazard’s near-post shot. To make matters worse, it had all started with a Bournemouth goal-kick.

“It was not just a goalkeeping error,” said Howe. “It was a really poor goal. They had a lot of the ball, we plugged gaps and threw our bodies in the way, but to then concede from our goal-kick, with a couple of errors thrown in, was hugely disappointing.”

Chelsea should have taken the lead long before then. Alvaro Morata twice went close, while both Cesc Fabregas and the impressive Tiemoue Bakayoko wasted further opportunities before the break.
“We could have been more clinical in the first half,” Conte said. “In this type of game, you must be able to kill the game. If you keep the result in the balance, you risk drawing in the end.

“The only negative aspect is when you create so many chances to score, you have to take them. Tonight, that was the only negative aspect. For the rest, I am very happy.”
For all Chelsea’s profligacy, there remained little prospect of a Bournemouth equaliser. Jordon Ibe went closest with a long-range strike, while defender Steve Cook could arguably have done better with a stoppage-time effort, but that was all the home side were able to muster.

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Observer:

Eden Hazard’s solitary strike secures victory for Chelsea over Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth 0 - 1 Chelsea

Dominic Fifield at the Vitality Stadium

Antonio Conte fidgeted his way anxiously through the latter stages here, the Italian a picture of agitation on the touchline as Bournemouth mustered everything they had to discomfort the champions. Yet, by the end, the sense lingered that Chelsea’s domestic campaign is returning to an even keel. Their margin for error has gone, of course, and the summit remains distant, but successive league wins have at least lanced the tension.

This finished feeling like a hard-fought victory though, in truth, the visitors should really have eased themselves clear during a one-sided opening period. Given their dominance at that stage, it seemed rather ludicrous that Eden Hazard’s shot, belted inside Asmir Begovic’s near-post six minutes into the second half, was ultimately all they had to show for some of their more vibrant attacking play of the campaign to date. The head coach acknowledged as much in the aftermath, urging his players to be more clinical in killing off games of this nature.

Yet, in the context of a dip in performance levels either side of the last international window and with references still coming to the untimely injuries which have blunted his team, Conte finished satisfied. He has spent the last week on a restoration exercise. His squad needed to be reminded of their qualities, with confidence rebuilt and both conviction and momentum returned to their campaign.

“This was a deserved win, a good win for our confidence and a good win before another tough game against Roma in the Champions League,” said the Italian. “Honestly, last season we won 3-1 here but today we played better. We controlled the game. Last season we conceded more chances and, in one part of the game, we were lucky. So I saw a lot of positives tonight.”

Principal among them was Hazard’s display. The Belgian tends to thrive on visits to this arena, revelling in the space afforded him by Eddie Howe’s side, with this no exception. He would prove to be the match-winner, ramming that shot beyond Begovic, though the Bosnian, a team-mate and title winner last term, betrayed his own disappointment at his attempt to block with the subsequent slump of his shoulders.

Howe pointed out that others were just as culpable with the winner having stemmed from a Bournemouth goal-kick but, in truth, Hazard was always likely to sear his name on this occasion. He was the outstanding performer, a constant menace with the ball glued to his instep, and a provider of opportunities for Álvaro Morata and David Luiz which should have yielded further rewards.

Chelsea will travel to Italy on Monday relieved to have their Belgian back to his best, for all that Roma will be more awkward opponents in midweek. They will certainly not afford Hazard as much time on the ball. Indeed, Howe bemoaned how “passive” his team had been through that one-sided opening period, when Morata had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside, and cited the fact the contest remained goalless at the break as a sole positive. Yet, even with Jermain Defoe withdrawn and their system rejigged thereafter, it was only at the death that they hinted at conjuring an equaliser. And even then, Steve Cook’s shot, curled straight at a grateful Thibaut Courtois, was their most presentable opening for all that César Azpilicueta and David Luiz were forced to fling themselves into blocks to deny Benik Afobe and Callum Wilson.

Opponents have been exploiting the absence of N’Golo Kanté over recent weeks, with Chelsea having shipped eight goals in the four games while the Frenchman has been hamstrung, to suggest this was a missed opportunity. Conte hopes to have the midfielder restored at the Olympic Stadium but will be conscious that Manchester United await next Sunday. “If he’s ready, he plays,” said the head coach. “But everyone knows the importance of the player. I want to be sure he is ready.”

Yet Bournemouth never really threatened to inflict wounds in the way Crystal Palace, Roma, Watford and even Everton had. Some of the zest has drained from their approach this term, with the onus now on their manager to instigate a revival. “We have to work out why we’ve gone from a free-scoring team to a side who struggle to create clear-cut chances,” said Howe. “I have to work it out. I have to find the right formula.”

He has been hampered by injuries, too, and had lost Junior Stanislas and Afobe before the end. November’s games look kinder on paper but this division is notoriously treacherous, as Chelsea have been reminded of late. The champions know only a run as eye-catching as last term’s 13-game winning streak will thrust them back into the title race. Successive victories are a start.


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Mail:

Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Eden Hazard fires Antonio Conte's side to victory as Eddie Howe's men remain in the bottom three of the Premier League

By Adam Crafton for The Mail on Sunday

When the goal finally came, it was alarming in its simplicity. Alvaro Morata held the ball up superbly, as he did all evening long, ghosted away from a couple of defenders and pitched a pass into the left channel. Eden Hazard gave chase, Simon Francis tumbled over in hot pursuit and the Belgian fired the ball through Asmir Begovic and into the goal.

For Chelsea manager Antonio Conte a surge of relief. This had been a reasonable enough away performance but for 51 minutes a sense of frustration grew as Chelsea spurned a catalogue of openings. Conte's response was to throw his arms out in celebration but his thoughts immediately turned. He pointed his index fingers towards his head and told his players to concentrate.
If Chelsea retain the merest aspiration of defending their Premier League crown, this was a game they dare not lose. Indeed, they could barely afford a draw.

The team coach arrived on the south coast with the players aware that at the start of play they were sitting 12 points behind leaders Manchester City. Jose Mourinho's Manchester United were seven ahead, with the former Chelsea manager returning to Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
To their credit, Chelsea did start this game with purpose. Their passing was crisp and their build-up play well thought-out, if a little ponderous at times. Yet Chelsea's territorial dominance was such that Conte's side could well have been home and dry by the half-time whistle.

Instead, an exasperating period saw them denied first by their own carelessness, then by the assistant referee's errant judgement and finally by the courage of the Bournemouth goalkeeper Begovic.
Morata was the first culprit. A tragicomic 30 seconds saw Begovic skew a clearance straight into Hazard's path. The Belgian carried the ball forward and teed up Morata perfectly but as he opened up his body, he sidefooted it wide of the post.

At times this season, Conte has appeared to be spoiling for a fight at every turn. This week, the print media felt his wrath but unease towards the club hierarchy and his own players has pockmarked the Italian's tenure since the end of last season.

The officials may be next on his hit-list after Morata was then denied by Eddie Smart's offside flag.
A well-worked set-piece saw Hazard pull the ball back for David Luiz, whose effort was deflected into Cesar Azpilicueta. Begovic saved and Morata turned the ball into the net. Yet up went Smart's yellow flag to curtail the champions' celebrations. Replays did not reflect well on the official's decision, with Azpilicueta shown to be level.

Bournemouth, languishing in the relegation zone and with pressing needs for points of their own, threatened rarely. A victory at Stoke aided matters last week but the club have not won consecutive Premier League matches since April. Benik Afobe wasted one positive opening and Azpilicueta defended impressively when Francis flashed a ball across the Chelsea goal.

The visitors kept coming. As the first half ended, they could not have set up camp more in the Bournemouth half if they had pitched a row of tents across the 18-yard line. A breakthrough appeared inevitable.
Morata's qualities soon came to the fore, as he tip-toed by two opponents following some lovely interplay with Hazard. The Spaniard shot powerfully towards goal but Begovic was able to spread himself and divert the ball over. Conte screwed up his face and ran his hands over his visage before turning back to the dugout in frustration.

Little wonder that he smiled so broadly when the breakthrough finally came.
His team still had the occasional fright, most notably when Luiz and Cesc Fabregas ran into each other and Jermain Defoe's replacement Jordon Ibe struck the ball over the top.
Captain Azpilicueta appeared to meet every cross. When Thibaut Courtois was finally called upon, he held firm when Steve Cook powered a strike on goal.
Indeed, Chelsea should have closed the game off themselves when Fabregas broke from midfield and curled over the top from the angle.
For Conte, however, the victory was all that really mattered.

Bournemouth (3-4-2-1): Begovic 6; S Cook 6.5, Ake 7, Francis 5; Smith 6, L Cook 5.5, Surman 5.5, Daniels 6; Stanislas 6 (Pugh 63, 5.5); Afobe 5.5 (Wilson 74, 6) , Defoe 5 (Ibe 45, 6)
Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, Arter, Mousset
Booked: Smith, Francis
Manager: Eddie Howe 5.5

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Rudiger 6.5; Zappacosta 6, Fabregas 7, Bakayoko 7, Alonso 6.5; Pedro 6 (Drinkwater 79), Hazard 7.5 (Willian 85) Morata 7 (Batshuayi 79)
Subs not used: Caballero, Cahill, Christensen, Ampadu
Goalscorers: Hazard 51
Manager: Antonio Conte 7
Referee: Craig Pawson 6

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Independent:

Antonio Conte's frustrating week ends in relief as Eden Hazard secures hard-fought victory over Bournemouth

Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1: Belgian forward takes full advantage of Asmir Begovic error to secure narrow victory as Blues overtake Arsenal and return to top four
Ian Winrow

Twenty-four hours after an angry outburst had revealed the depth of his frustration at the growing speculation surrounding his future, Antonio Conte was provided with a welcome distraction when Eden Hazard’s second-half goal ensured his Chelsea side avoided slipping further behind in the title race.

Conte was angered by reports Carlo Ancelotti is being lined up as his successor and of unrest within his squad. The Italian’s mood would have darkened further if his side had failed to respond to Manchester City’s earlier win at West Bromwich Albion that meant the defending champions started the game 12 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League table.
As it was, they were made to work hard for a win that was finally secured by Hazard’s

51st-minute finish.  This was not a performance to remember but it was sufficient to see off a Bournemouth side that remain in the bottom three.

Conte made just one change to the side that started last weekend’s victory over Watford, a win that might have been expected to have eased the scrutiny on the Chelsea head coach, with Gary Cahill dropping to the bench ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to face AS Roma.
The Italian’s side had initially laboured against Marco Silva’s side seven days previously before the introduction of Michy Batshuayi from the bench helped inspire a recovery that overturned a 2-1 deficit.

The opening moments at the Vitality Stadium suggested the defending champions would face similarly obstinate opponents with Bournemouth, buoyed by back to back victories last week, approached the game with renewed confidence.
Howe’s side have faced a testing start to the campaign and had mustered just one Premier League victory before last week’s impressive win at Stoke City. That was followed by midweek defeat of Middlesbrough that set up a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Conte’s side, prompting Howe to talk of growing sense of momentum at the club.

That momentum would have been maintained had Benik Afobe made more of a 17th-minute opportunity when the striker found himself in space on the edge of the penalty area. The striker could have shot but instead played an overhit pass towards the advancing Charlie Daniels who did well to pull the ball back for Afobe, whose shot was deflected wide.
At that point, Chelsea’s two best openings had come after long balls behind the home defence had released first Pedro and then Davide Zappacosta but Nathan Ake, the former Chelsea defender, did well to spot the danger on both occasions.

Conte’s side were growing in authority and it appeared inevitable they would force the lead during a period of sustained pressure. Initially they were helped on their way by a  24th-minute mis-kicked clearance by Asmir Begovic, the keeper who left Chelsea for Bournemouth last summer.

The ball landed at the feet of Hazard, 25 yards from goal, and Begovic was relieved to see Alvaro Morata place his finish wide of the near post after the Spain international had been sent clear by his team-mate.
Two minutes later, Tiemoue Bakayoko rose above the home defence to meet Cesc Fabregas’s corner but could only direct his header at Begovic. And moments after that chance, Morata thought he had made up for his earlier miss after another Fabregas corner.

A half-clearance fell to David Luiz on the edge of the box whose shot was helped on by Cesar Azpilicueta and parried by Begovic into the path of Morata. The striker placed the ball into the net but the effort was ruled out because Azpilicueta had drifted narrowly offside.
Chelsea’s frustration was growing while Morata in particular was entitled to feel this would not be his day. That changed six minutes after the break when the forward assumed the role of provider to set up Hazard’s goal.

Morata did well to retain possession inside the centre circle, turning to make space before clipping a ball out towards Hazard on the left hand flank. Bournemouth skipper Simon Francis should have cut out the pass, but once clear, Hazard raced into the home area and took advantage of Begovic’s poor positioning to beat the keeper at his near post from a tight angle.
Bournemouth responded with Ibe’s goal-bound shot deflected over the bar by Rudiger but Chelsea repelled the home side’s late pressure to hold on for the win, much to Conte’s relief.

Bournemouth (5-3-2): Begovic 5; A Smith 6, Francis 5, S Cook 7, Ake 8, Daniels 7; L Cook 6, Stanislas 7 (Pugh 62,6) , Surman 6; Defoe 6 (Ibe 46), Afobe 6 (Wilson 73,6).
Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, Pugh, Arter, Mousset.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 7, Luiz 6, Rudiger 8; Zappacosta 6, Fabregas 7, Bakayoko 6, Alonso 6; Pedro 7 (Drinkwater 78), Morata 6 (Batshuayi 73), Hazard 9 (Willian 85,6).
Subs not used: Caballero, Cahill, Christensen, Ampadu.
Referee: C Pawson

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