Premier Division: Bournemouth 0–5 Chelsea
Saturday, 25 January 2053 | Eddie Howe Arena | Attendance: 33,775
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the summit of the Premier League with a commanding 5–0 victory over AFC Bournemouth, extending their unbeaten run in the division to 24 matches. With goals from José Francisco Landeira, José Franco, Zain Whatmough, Joseph Haigh, and Marcelo, the Blues showcased their attacking depth and technical dominance.
The rout began early, with Landeira coolly finishing off a Whatmough assist in the fourth minute. Franco doubled the lead minutes later with a well-struck effort from outside the area. Whatmough added a third with a low drive in the 16th minute, his seventh key pass in the match underscoring his creative influence. In the second half, Haigh struck from the edge of the box before substitute Marcelo rounded off the scoring after Bournemouth’s defence collapsed under pressure.
Christian Colombo, recently recalled from a loan spell due to the long-term Achilles injury of Facundo Quiroga, impressed on debut with a confident performance in central defence. His sharp distribution and composure under pressure were noted by both fans and pundits, highlighting Chelsea’s squad depth amid a challenging fixture calendar.
Manager Calin Dimario’s side remain firm title favourites, sitting top of the table on 66 points from 24 games, with a goal difference of +60 and a staggering 75 goals scored. The dominance was further validated by Bournemouth’s meagre 0.57 xG and only six shots, compared to Chelsea’s 2.57 xG and 29 shots.
Post-match, Dimario praised the team’s professionalism: “It was important to maintain the momentum. We’re playing with rhythm, and Colombo’s inclusion showed that we can trust every squad member when called upon.”
Colombo himself reflected on his debut: “I’ve waited for this moment. The team made it easy for me to settle. I’m just focused on keeping this going.”
Premier League Round-Up
- Luton Town 4–1 Tottenham – S. Adeyemo struck twice in a vital relegation-battle win.
- Plymouth 4–1 Man UFC – Charlie Edzes ran the show with three assists and a 9.9 rating.
- Crystal Palace 4–1 Middlesbrough – Loualtin’s brace capped a dominant away win.
- Newcastle 1–0 Man City – Capocchiano’s strike stunned the Citizens.
Elsewhere, Liverpool, Southampton, and Nottingham Forest all dropped points, tightening the race for top-four spots. With Chelsea streaking ahead, the battle for Europe and survival promises to be the main theatre of drama in the weeks to come.
Man of the Match: Zain Whatmough (Chelsea) – 8.3 rating, 7 key passes, 1 goal, 1 assist
Injury Watch: Facundo Quiroga is expected to return in 3 weeks to 2 months, recovering from a damaged Achilles tendon suffered in November.
With Champions League fixtures looming and the Carabao Cup final on the horizon, Chelsea’s ability to rotate and dominate may define their historic 2052/53 season.