Chelsea v Bournemouth player ratings

Chelsea continued their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at home to Bournemouth. Second-half goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard secured the points in another dominant home display. Here’s how we rated each Blues player.

Kepa Arrizabalaga: 6

Chelsea’s new signing looks more and more comfortable playing out from the back – but did make a couple of early mistakes with his passing. One led to Ryan Frazer fizzing a ball across the box to Callum Wilson, who was inches away from tapping in. Aside from that, the young goalkeeper was fairly comfortable.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 7

The captain continued to offer a real attacking threat down the right. He came close to scoring a freak goal when his early cross from the edge of the box drifted wide past the left post. Azpilicueta spent more time in the opposition half, but was still strong in defence when questions were asked.

David Luiz: 5

Still looks shaky at the back. He gifted Bournemouth an early chance by giving the ball away to Josh King on the half-way line. The Cherries forward squared to Frazer on the edge of the box, but N’Golo Kante intervened with a last-ditch tackle. Luiz did settle as the game went on, making a number of important challenges.

Antonio Rudiger: 6

The German offered a calm alternative to Luiz. Rudiger was solid for the entire 90 minutes, earning Chelsea’s second clean sheet of the season. He also came close with a second-half header that drifted over the bar.

Marcos Alonso: 7

Similar to Azpilicueta, Alonso offered an impressive attacking threat. He combined well with Hazard on the left and hit the post with a low shot moments before half-time. He also assisted Hazard’s goal with a nice lay-off.

N’Golo Kante: 8

The driving force behind Chelsea’s dominant win. In his new, more attacking role under Maurizio Sarri, the midfielder was able to burst forward towards the Bournemouth goal on numerous occasions and was as strong in the tackle as ever.

Jorginho: 7

He bossed the midfield all game long. Jorginho spread his long-range passes to set up a number of Chelsea counter-attacks. A couple of his attempts to find Alvaro Morata over the top were just overhit but could have easily resulted in goalscoring chances.

Mateo Kovacic: 7

Kovacic linked up well with Jorginho and Kante in midfield. He also offered Hazard an outlet on a number of occasions and forced a couple of shots at Begovic from around the Bournemouth box.

Willian: 6

Unable to really influence the game down the right flank. He did test Asmir Begovic with a couple of early shots – but the goalkeeper was well equipped to deal with them, and every cross Willian sent into the box.

Eden Hazard: 7

Dangerous throughout and and his late goal sealed the win. The Belgian was often Chelsea’s main attacking threat and his effort was rewarded five minutes from time. With the game still finely balanced, Hazard burst down the left and exchanged passes with Alonso before firing under Begovic from a tight angle.

Alvaro Morata: 5

The Blues striker was very quiet up front once again. He went missing in the first half and wasn’t much better in the second. Olivier Giroud replaced him after 60 minutes.

Olivier Giroud: 7

The Frenchman made an instant impact after coming off the bench. He was involved in the build-up to Pedro’s goal, combining with the winger well on the edge of the area. He offered Chelsea an alternative, direct route to Bournemouth’s goal and was close to getting on the end of multiple crosses.

Pedro: 7

He was able to change the game, coming off the bench after 65 minutes. It look Pedro just over five minutes to find the net, working himself a little pocket of space on the edge of the box before firing past Begovic. He could have scored again after drilling another shot at Bournemouth’s goal, but his second attempt was saved.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 6

The midfielder wasn’t on the pitch long enough to make a real impact. He came on with 10 minutes to go as Chelsea closed out another win under Sarri.