Bournemouth stun Mourinho’s Chelsea at Stanford Bridge

Kayode Ogundele
Kayode Ogundele
Bournemouth

Glenn Murray scored a dramatic late winning goal as Bournemouth recorded one of the most famous wins in their history against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho’s side, who sit 14th in the table, have now suffered eight defeats in 15 league games after failing to break down the newly promoted visitors, with Diego Costa again omitted from his starting XI and Eden Hazard’s goalless streak stretching to 25 games in all competitions.

Nemanja Matic missed Chelsea’s best opportunity, heading over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box in the second half, before substitute Murray pounced with eight minutes remaining to secure a famous victory.

Murray had been on the pitch for just 99 seconds when he struck the decisive blow – and he appeared to be marginally offside as he bundled the ball over the line.

Eddie Howe’s men are now unbeaten in three games and move out of the relegation zone after defeating the defending champions.

Both sides made two changes, with Thibaut Courtois – back after three months out due to knee surgery – and Baba Rahman coming in for Chelsea as Bournemouth recalled Artur Boruc and Adam Smith.

Chelsea threatened first when Hazard shot straight at Boruc after linking up nicely with Willian.

Courtois was also called into action early, producing a two-handed save to deny Junior Stanislas after a counter-attack led by Joshua King, who brought the Belgium goalkeeper into another stop at his near post after a neat passing move.

Hazard was bidding to score his 50th Chelsea goal after a long wait and a powerful long-range left-footed effort had to be pushed away by Boruc.

Pedro was next to test the away goalkeeper, who tipped the former Barcelona forward’s curling attempt round the post before also denying Oscar as the home side finished a goalless first half strongly.

Mourinho brought on Costa at half-time, but Bournemouth threatened first when a thumping shot from Matt Ritchie was just off target.

Costa had a header hacked away from close to the goalline and Matic missed an excellent chance to give Chelsea the lead, somehow heading over after Willian had whipped in a threatening cross from the right.

Chelsea continued to press and Costa saw a cross blocked by the arm of a sliding Simon Francis, but referee Mike Jones was unmoved.

After a strong finish to the first half and a bright start to the second, the hosts’ threat diminished in the closing stages. Costa’s stab at goal, comfortably saved by Boruc, was their final chance of note.

They were punished when Courtois could only punch a corner clear as far as Steve Cook, whose bouncing effort looped towards goal, allowing Murray – who appeared to be millimetres offside – to head in from three yards out.

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