Xabi Alonso

Henderson Hits Brace on Chelsea Home Debut in 5-1 Rout of Bournemouth


Jordan Henderson scored his first two goals for Chelsea on his home debut as Xabi Alonso's side beat Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, ending a run of three games without a win and moving into the top five.

The 36-year-old midfielder put Chelsea ahead after 68 seconds, curling the club's first shot of the game in off the inside of the post after Cole Palmer slipped him through. Palmer had signed a new contract until 2034 only hours before kick-off. Henderson then set up Morgan Rogers 84 seconds later. Morgan Rogers drove an effort towards goal, and the shot took a decisive deflection off Bournemouth defender Antonio Silva before beating Petrovic. Although the goal initially prompted a review, it was credited to Rogers.

Bournemouth had given the ball away too often early on, but they came into the game after that. Rayan sent a shot over the bar, then had a one-on-one saved in the 35th minute. Emiliano Martinez kept out an effort from Ryan Christie at the other end, and Silva had a header saved just before the break. Henderson also threatened a third with a lofted effort from the edge of the box.

Chelsea added to their lead almost straight after the restart. Bournemouth had brought on Ben Gannon-Doak at half-time, but Joao Pedro made it 3-0 within 30 seconds, firing into the top right corner after Pedro Neto reacted well to another Silva error.

Evanilson pulled one back five minutes later, when Moises Caicedo's clearance ricocheted off him after a corner dropped at his feet inside the six-yard box. The hope did not last. Joao Pedro tapped in a Pep Chavarria cross to restore the three-goal margin, and Henderson finished the scoring with a 25-yard free-kick that curled past Petrovic.

For Bournemouth, the result extended their difficult start under manager Marco Rose. They remain without a Premier League victory under the German and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.

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