Chelsea’s winning start to the Premier League campaign under Maurizio Sarri continued against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Second-half strikes from substitute Pedro and Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea edged past Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth 2-0 at the Stamford Bridge.
The visitors had defended with grit and determination to keep the home team at bay for long and had a few chances of their own to get ahead in the game. However, a 72nd minute strike from Pedro, after neat inter-play with fellow substitute Olivier Giroud put Chelsea ahead.
Five minutes from full-time, Hazard combined with Marcos Alonso to fire home the second and put the result beyond a doubt. The win meant Chelsea kept up with leaders Liverpool with 12 points from four games, while Bournemouth succumbed to their first defeat of the season.
Pedro, who came on and changed the complexion of the game with his third goal of the season, drew praises from fans, with many questioning Sarri’s decision to bench him in favour of Willian on the day;
Pedro > Willian
Giroud > Morata— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) September 1, 2018
Pedro phenomenal right foot. Man bullied Alexis out of Barca and now is outperforming Alexis in the prem since he arrived
— Gustavo Fring (@Hustler_Futbol) September 1, 2018
Pedro has 3 in 3. How was he dropped for Willian?!
— Chelsea Photos (@ChelsPhotos) September 1, 2018
Pedro is the only guy that shoots consistently from out side the box
Goals come from a goal scoring mindset.. Pedro has it .. in the box outside the box
— Dan Soff (@Dan_Soff) September 1, 2018
Don’t ever start Willian ahead of Pedro ☹️..
— omo igbo( Chinwe ) (@mizz_xpress) September 1, 2018
My Pedro agenda from SufferBall is gone and never returning. Seen the light, Conte just made him look shite
— Harvey Specter ? (@DZKurtisss) September 1, 2018
"Always start Pedro over Willian" #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/ShXwBRHFQQ
— D E M P E L E (@LitSego) September 1, 2018
Pedro is a great asset and easily better than Willian but given his age I don’t think he can survive for long if we start him every week.
— Super Frank (@ChelseaAction) September 1, 2018
Pedro Rodriguez>>> pele. Facts only I’m afraid
— Jamal (@carefreejamal) September 1, 2018
Pedro was made for Sarriball
— WeAreChelseaFC (@WeAreChelseaFC) September 1, 2018
Marcos Alonso once again shone for the West Londoners with some excellent attacking play from the left-back position. Having struck the post in the first period, the Spaniard combined brilliantly with Hazard for the second goal and that wasn’t lost on the fans;
Sarri on Marcos Alonso threat: "I think Alonso in this position at left back, he is the best in Europe. He has top qualities but he can improve in the defensive phase. He could become the best left back in the world" #CFC #CHEBOU
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 1, 2018
Marcos Alonso has started off this season a verrrrry key player
If he can keep this form up and get better defensively then he joins the gems— Dan Soff (@Dan_Soff) September 1, 2018
Imagine if Marcos Alonso had pace. Would have been a generational leftback.
— Daniel Mohajer (@BoasMohajer) September 1, 2018
Marcos Alonso 2018/19
CS + Penalty won – Huddersfield
Goal + Assist – Arsenal
Assist + Penalty won – Newcastle
Assist – BournemouthThe man continues to impress. #CFC
— WorldWideChels (@WorldWideChels) September 1, 2018
I apologise for hating on Marcos Alonso.
Man has 6 goal contributions in 4 games. If he improves defensively then he can easily be the best LB in the League.
Running down the wing for me.
— Ned (@FutbolLampard) September 1, 2018
Marcos Alonso is an end product machine madre mia
— Rk (@RkFutbol) September 1, 2018
Marcos Alonso has already taken over Ashley Cole as ChelseaFC's best LB or you aren't convinced yet? #NEWCHE
— नीले योद्धा(Warriors in blue) (@SirStaphAureus) August 26, 2018
Bournemouth was a very tough fixture.
Marcos Alonso still the best playmaker for the Blues.
An unexpected flawless Premier League start for Sarri
12 points from 4 games.
— Ramez Nathan (@RamezYNathan) September 1, 2018
