Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth – Premier League – 5th December 2015
Jose Mourinho lost against a newly-promoted side for only the second time in his glittering Premier League career in Saturday’s late game, with the Blues suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Bournemouth.
With Diego Costa left on the bench, it was left to Eden Hazard to lead the line for the hosts. However, throughout the first-half, they struggled to click into gear. Indeed, it was the visitors, with Harry Arter and Andrew Surman impressive in midfield, who looked the more likely to score, with the returning Thibaut Courtois saving three times from Josh King.
Costa took to the field for the second-half, and the hosts did improve and had a reasonable shout for a penalty after Simon Francis handled in the box. But despite pushing for a precious goal, Chelsea couldn’t break down Eddie Howe’s disciplined side. And then, on 82 minutes, sub Glenn Murray headed home after Courtois had failed to clear from a corner. Chelsea threw everything at the Cherries, but ultimately couldn’t find a goal, leaving them to suffer an eighth league defeat of the season.
The west Londoners now find themselves 15th in the table, 14 points off a top-four spot and just three points clear of the drop-zone. With no team ever finishing higher than eighth after having just 15 points from the first 15 games of a Premier League season, it’s looking mighty gloomy for Mourinho and his charges. Bournemouth, on the other hand, move out of the bottom three and find themselves just two points behind the Blues.
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