Chelsea v Bournemouth

A near-perfect performance from Chelsea, who put five past a hopeless Bournemouth to jump up to fifth in the Premier League table. Two peaches from Henderson, a brace for Pedro and Rogers’ fourth league goal of the season helped Alonso respond to growing whispers of discontent. That they scored five from just 1.08 xG demonstrates the quality of the strikes, while Bournemouth managed just a single consolation from Evanilson from 1.46 xG. The game was over barely after it had started when Henderson whipped a Palmer lay off into the far corner after two minutes, and Rogers followed up a minute later, curling it beyond Petrovic from the other side, via a helping head from Silva. They started the second half even quicker when Neto wriggled past Silva on the byline and tee’d up Pedro who finished emphatically from 12 yards to put them three ahead. Bournemouth thought they had found a way back into the game five minutes later when Caicedo crashed a corner clearance straight into Evanilson, but Pedro quickly put any ideas of a comeback to bed, tapping home a Chavarria cross for his fifth league goal of the season, taking him joint top of the scoring charts with Erling Haaland. Bournemouth were now dead and buried, but not before Henderson could bend a delicious 30 yard free-kick into the top right corner for his second of the game, capping off a commanding midfield display. The Blues will need plenty more though to keep the fans on side, as they travel to Everton next weekend to face a far sterner defence. Bournemouth meanwhile host Sturm Graz in the Europa League before the visit of Sunderland next Sunday. They could be in the relegation zone come Monday, and Rose may need European success if he is to stay in the Bournemouth job. That’s all from London, thanks for following and we’ll see you next time!

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 5-1 BOURNEMOUTH

Chelsea fans could not have asked for a better return from the international break. Alonso will be delighted with today's performance.

The pain is extended for the visitors, as we enter five minutes of injury time. They have been abject.

Henderson almost puts a blotch on his perfect performance, making a loose pass to Rodriguez on the edge of the box but the forward's effort is well off target.

88'

Substitution

Just a single assist for Palmer today but he has been at the heart of everything for the Blues. Gusto replaces him.