Chelsea’s ponderous transfer window was ruthlessly exposed as a disjointed display enabled Bournemouth to record an emphatic 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
The defending Premier League champions toiled throughout January in their pursuit of a physical centre-forward to back-up Alvaro Morata with success finally achieved with the arrival of Olivier Giroud on Wednesday, hours before the deadline and too late for the former Arsenal man to be included here.
With Morata injured, Michy Batshuayi sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund and Giroud watching from the stands, Chelsea lacked an obvious focal point in attack. Pedro, Eden Hazard and Ross Barkley formed a hastily arranged front three, but it misfired horribly.
In stark contrast, the visitors were wonderfully fluent with Ryan Fraser, Jordon Ibe and Junior Stanislas’ direct approach causing Chelsea’s backline no end of problems.
Callum Wilson put Bournemouth ahead after 51 minutes before Stanislas and former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake also got in on the act to hand Antonio Conte’s men their third league defeat at Stamford Bridge this season.
Chelsea’s struggles were evident from the first minute with Bournemouth coping easily with what little was thrown at them.
Bournemouth looked a more cohesive unit and had the better of the early exchanges.
Stanislas had already tested Thibaut Courtois from 25 yards before another bright attack, which saw Fraser break clear down the right, was brought to a premature end by referee Lee Probert after he adjudged Wilson to have fouled Andreas Christensen.
Ibe then fired a powerful effort at Courtois before Chelsea twice threatened at the other end.
Gary Cahill nodded a corner just over on the half-hour mark and, nine minutes later, the hosts’ wingbacks combined with Marcos Alonso narrowly nodding Davide Zappacosta’s right-wing cross past the post.
It was, in truth, a dire opening period, but the game opened up after the break.
Just six minutes had elapsed when Wilson played a neat one-two with Ibe before running on to the return ball and slipping it under the advancing Courtois.
Hazard saw an effort saved by Asmir Begovic but Bournemouth doubled their advantage after 64 minutes – Wilson playing in Stanislas who toe-poked into the net.
With Barkley already hauled off for Cesc Fabregas, there appeared no sign of a Chelsea comeback and it was no surprise when Bournemouth added a third.
The home side failed to clear a corner and when Ibe turned it back towards goal, Ake stuck out a foot to divert it past Courtois.
Alonso fired narrowly wide and curled a free-kick into the wall but Bournemouth’s defences were not to be breached.
In other Premier League results:
Christian Eriksen scored after just 11 seconds as Tottenham ended Manchester United’s unbeaten run in 2018 with a 2-0 victory at Wembley on Wednesday.
Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points but Pep Guardiola left the 3-0 win over West Brom with injury fears over David Silva.
Theo Walcott scored his first goals for Everton to secure a 2-1 Premier League win over a Leicester City side desperately missing the presence of Riyad Mahrez.
Newcastle United’s home winless run in the Premier League stretched to eight matches as Burnley struck late to secure a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
The Premier League’s muddled priorities on an action-packed deadline day were borne out at the bet365 Stadium as Stoke City introduced their brand-new signing amid the dismal distraction of a 0-0 draw against Watford.
