London, 2 January 2052 — Chelsea made it four consecutive league victories as they brushed aside Bournemouth 3-1 at the Drogba Arena. While the scoreline suggested a routine win, the game carried storylines of its own, from Logan Granger’s thunderous free-kick to a debut for new signing Gérson.
Chelsea began brightly and were rewarded when Logan Granger, returning to sharp form after recent injury struggles, lashed in a sensational 19-metre free-kick midway through the first half. Granger, who later missed a penalty before half-time, looked rejuvenated, his sharp movement and aerial dominance proving too much for Bournemouth’s backline. The miss mattered little as Dimario’s side maintained control of the match, dictating possession with 68% of the ball.
In the second half, full-back Burak Coşkun doubled Chelsea’s advantage with a composed finish after a clever attacking move. The Turkish international’s calmness in front of goal showcased the variety of scoring threats in Chelsea’s system. Bournemouth briefly raised hope when Dragos Bratoveanu pounced on a defensive lapse to pull one back in the 80th minute, but Joseph Haigh sealed the result in stoppage time, firing in a close-range effort to cap an industrious display.
Beyond the goals, much attention fell on Gérson, who finally made his Chelsea debut after a lengthy wait. The Brazilian midfielder, recently back from a successful loan spell, was welcomed warmly by the home crowd and offered glimpses of his composure and flair despite limited minutes. His introduction adds further depth to an already dominant midfield unit led by Pele and José Franco.
Manager Dimario praised Granger’s resilience: “He’s worked incredibly hard to come back strong and today he showed why he’s a top striker. The missed penalty won’t bother him; what matters is he’s back scoring and helping the team.” Fans echoed that sentiment on social media, with one posting: “Granger’s free-kick was pure class, great to see him back in form.” Another fan added: “Pleasing to finally see Gérson make his debut, he’s got something about him.”
Elsewhere in the league, Manchester City edged Crystal Palace 1-0, Arsenal beat Huddersfield 4-1, and Liverpool hammered Tottenham 4-0 in another blow to Kevin Strootman’s side. The win keeps Chelsea firmly at the summit with 53 points from 19 games, three clear of City. Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain mid-table, struggling to match their early-season consistency.
For Chelsea, the victory not only extended their unbeaten run to 60 league matches but also demonstrated the depth and adaptability of their squad. With Granger back in scoring touch and Gérson finally stepping onto the Premier League stage, the champions continue to look relentless in their pursuit of yet another title.