Premier League: Late Glenn Murray Strike Gives Bournemouth Rare Win Over Chelsea FC

Bournemouth striker Glenn Murray’s late winner condemned struggling Chelsea to a shock 1-0 defeat that piled renewed pressure on Blues boss Jose Mourinho on Saturday.

Murray came off the bench to stun Mourinho’s Premier League champions when he headed home from a borderline offside position in the 82nd minute at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth had won only twice in the league since last season’s promotion from the Championship, but Murray’s dramatic intervention left Chelsea with an eighth defeat in 15 league games.

Chelsea, who remain just three points above the relegation zone in 14th place, cannot complain as Eddie Howe’s side, who moved out of the bottom three, had been a threat throughout.

Mourinho handed an instant recall for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois following three months away through injury, but out-of-favour striker Diego Costa was not introduced until half-time.

Eden Hazard forced Artur Boruc into an early save as Chelsea swarmed around the Bournemouth box, but a Cherries reply saw Hazard robbed of possession and Junior Stanislas unleash a shot that Gary Cahill did well to block.

Stanislas was back again, this time after Pedro gave away possession, but Courtois was able to save.

Josh King delayed his follow-up effort however and Chelsea were able to clear.

King, who had led the charge on the previous attack, then forced Courtois into a save at his near post.

Chelsea were looking vulnerable to pace and Pedro, having previously fouled Adam Smith, was booked for hacking down Harry Arter, who then fired another Cherries effort wide.

Dan Gosling’s long-ranger was deflected over following some fine build-up play from the visitors, who had previously seen Pedro spoon an effort over.

Cahill was working overtime at the back with a string of interceptions under pressure and Nemanja Matic, wearing a protective face mask, summed up Chelsea’s display by scuffing a shot harmlessly wide.

King might have appreciated Matic’s face-wear when Kurt Zouma caught him with an elbow but the forward was able to continue after treatment.

Hazard was on target with Chelsea’s next attempt but Boruc did well to save and within seconds King forced Courtois into another near-post block at the other end.

Chelsea were looking for inspiration and Pedro almost supplied it with a curling effort but again Boruc dived to palm it away, and it was a similar story when Oscar unleashed the hosts’ final shot of a first half that had belonged to Bournemouth.

Costa Unleashed

It was no surprise that Costa came on for the second half, with Oscar making way, but the action began with Matt Ritchie firing another Bournemouth effort just over.

Mourinho didn’t look impressed standing impassively with his hands in his pockets in his technical area.

Matic headed over after Steve Cook had got just enough on Willian’s cross to put the Serb off balance at the back post and Gosling was on hand to boot away Costa’s header from a corner.

The game passed the hour mark without a goal but Chelsea were by far the dominant force by this point, with Bournemouth defending bravely and in numbers.

Simon Francis survived a penalty appeal for handball as Costa crossed. The ball hit the defender on the arm as he slid in but referee Michael Jones ruled it accidental.

Costa was booked seconds later for hauling Ritchie down and complained bitterly about it.

Branislav Ivanovic’s cross was too high for Costa as time began to run out for Chelsea.

Costa was working hard to make the breakthrough, with Boruc parrying his volley on the stretch.

Bournemouth replaced King with Murray and the substitute broke the deadlock in controversial style with eight minutes remaining.

The striker was in an offside position as Cook’s effort was deflected to him at the back post but it was allowed to stand.

Chelsea offered little response and the final whistle was met with boos from the home fans.

By AFP