Chelsea substitute Christopher Nkunku strikes to burst Bournemouth bubble

Jadon Sancho stepped off the bench to inspire Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth as he set up Christopher Nkunku's 86th-minute winner on the south coast.

Sancho had not featured in the Premier League for 12 months after a spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season and despite settling the rift this summer, he joined the Blues on loan on transfer deadline day.

Enzo Maresca had watched Chelsea initially struggle at Vitality Stadium with only a Robert Sanchez penalty save from Evanilson after 38 minutes able to keep it scoreless at the break.

Maresca turned to Sancho during the interval before he sent on Nkunku and the pair linked up late on when the French forward slotted home to earn the new Blues manager a narrow second Premier League win.

Cole Palmer was fit enough to start after he missed international duty with England, but Enzo Fernandez was ill which meant Moises Caicedo was made captain.

Bournemouth were without Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga – one of 25 players to leave the west London club this summer – due to the terms of his loan, but he was present and witnessed an action-packed start.

Marcus Tavernier smashed a dipping effort from 25 yards against the crossbar after four minutes before Noni Madueke had a shot deflected wide down the other end.

Cherries’ record-signing Evanilson headed off-target soon after as the hosts got plenty of joy down Chelsea’s right-side with Axel Disasi used as a makeshift full-back.

After Tavernier squandered a decent opening, the Bournemouth left winger got in again midway through the half and found Evanilson, who teed up Justin Kluivert but his half-volley was impressively saved by Sanchez.

Chelsea had struggled to fashion chances with Palmer tightly marked and yet