There was a surprise result at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as relegation-threatened Bournemouth came away with all three points following a commanding 3-0 win over Chelsea.
The Premier League champions lined out without a recognised striker, with Eden Hazard playing up top. Olivier Giroud joined from Arsenal earlier in the day, meaning he was not signed in time to feature for the Blues, while Michy Batshuayi has departed for a loan move to Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season and Alvaro Morata was absent with a back injury.
Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and former Chelsea player Nathan Ake all found the net for Eddie Howe’s side in the second half.
Ake left Chelsea last summer in search of regular playing time and will surely feel delighted with his contribution upon his return to the Bridge.
The upset moves the visitors three points clear of the relegation zone and could prove crucial in the fight for survival come May.
For Antonio Conte’s side, this result will come as a big blow. Seeing as Manchester United went down 2-0 to Tottenham at Wembley on the same night, the Blues missed an opportunity to move level on points with Jose Mourinho’s team in the league.
Here is a sample of the reaction to the result on Twitter…
FT: Chelsea 0-3 Bournemouth.
A truly incredible result. An abject Chelsea face a battle for the top four, which is exactly the level of this squad. The top players didn't perform, Barkley awful and poor at both ends of the pitch #CHEBOU #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 31, 2018
3 – Bournemouth have scored three goals in a Premier League away game against a 'top six' opponent for the very first time. Onslaught.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 31, 2018
Chelsea have never lost by more than three goals at Stamford Bridge in the PL era, so it is their joint heaviest home loss too…. remarkable result. #CFC https://t.co/pS6HA9lKil
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 31, 2018
I must say, bravo Bournemouth.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 31, 2018
9 – Chelsea have now failed to score in nine games this season in all competitions, they failed to score in just three games last season. Toothless.
— OptaChelsea (@OptaChels) January 31, 2018
Chelsea's defence has rolled over and let Bournemouth tickle their tummies tonight. Absolutely shocking. Is there still time to make a late bid for Jonny Evans?
— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) January 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/OliviaBuzaglo/status/958809960716161026
https://twitter.com/ConteBlueArmy/status/958823533982953474
Got to feel for Giroud. Lost 3-1 yesterday against Swansea, and now he's just finished watching his new club Chelsea lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) January 31, 2018
51' – Chelsea 0-0 Bournemouth
67' – Chelsea 0-3 BournemouthGiroud: 'I'm okay, I swear'#CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/4uX0inWtoD
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) January 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/GeniusFootball/status/958812614204764160
Giroud watching his team getting battered by Swansea and Bournemouth within the space of 24 hours. You can take the man out of Arsenal, but you can’t take Arsenal out of the man.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) January 31, 2018
Giroud taking that winning culture at Arsenal – straight to Chelsea. Good lad.
— Stephen Sidlo (@StephenSidlo) January 31, 2018
Chelsea’s defeat to Bournemouth isn’t a mere coincidence—it's the product of a disastrous summer transfer window.
Instead of investing in bonafide game changers to improve their toothless attack, they wasted money on average, veteran squad fillers like Drinkwater & Zappacosta.
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) January 31, 2018
Complete the statement: If Bournemouth is scoring Chelsea 3 nil, then Barcelona will…
— Lexis Bill (@lexisbill) January 31, 2018
"Barcelona, we're coming for you," sing the Chelsea fans
— Greg Lea (@GregLeaFootball) January 31, 2018
Just seen a rather optimistic salesman at Fulham Broadway trying to pitch half and half #CHEBOU scarfs at knockdown price of 'two for a fiver'. They're hardly ever in demand anyway but Chelsea fans unlikely to want a reminder of tonight to take home with them.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) January 31, 2018
Conte describes finishing in the top four this season as a big challenge and says it will be a great success to do so. That is all from the boss here but there will be more on the official Chelsea website soon. #CHEBOU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Other results in the Premier League went as follows:
Everton 2 vs. Leicester City 1
Newcastle 1 vs. Burnley FC 1
Man. City 3 vs. West Brom 0
Stoke City 0 vs. Watford 0
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