Subs Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho lead Chelsea to victory at Bournemouth

Jadon Sancho stepped off the bench to inspire Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth as he set up Christopher Nkunku’s 86th-minute winner on the south coast.

Sancho had not featured in the Premier League for 12 months after a spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season and despite settling the rift this summer, he joined the Blues on loan on transfer deadline day.

Enzo Maresca had watched Chelsea initially struggle at Vitality Stadium with only a Robert Sanchez penalty save from Evanilson after 38 minutes able to keep it scoreless at the break.

Maresca turned to Sancho during the interval before he sent on Nkunku and the pair linked up late on when the French forward slotted home to earn the new Blues manager a narrow second Premier League win.

After missing England’s international service, Cole Palmer was well enough to start; however, due to Enzo Fernandez’s illness, Moises Caicedo was named captain. Due to the terms of his loan, Bournemouth was without Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga, one of 25 players to depart the west London club this summer. Nevertheless, he was present and saw an exciting start to the season. Four minutes in, Marcus Tavernier struck the crossbar with a diving attempt from 25 yards out, and Noni Madueke’s attempt on the other end was deflected wide. Axel Disasi was introduced as a temporary full-back, and the hosts had plenty of delight down Chelsea’s right side as Evanilson, the record-signing for Cherries, headed off-target shortly after. Following Tavernier’s poor beginning, the Bournemouth left winger scored.

looked costly sixty seconds later when Evanilson rushed on to Wesley Fofana’s shoddy back pass and was taken down by Sanchez, earning Bournemouth a penalty. But Fofana’s blushes were spared as Evanilson’s low attempt was blocked by Sanchez, prolonging his goal drought following a £40 million transfer from Porto. Before the half, Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook and Milos Kerkez had pot shots, and Maresca had had enough. Sancho was substituted for the nameless Pedro Neto to make his Chelsea debut. Sancho got involved right away after discovering Marc Cucurella there, but Madueke missed his cutback. Soon after, the exile from Manchester United created another opportunity when he set up Jackson, who curled wide before Sancho

Following another raiding run by Cucurella, Jackson came within inches of scoring again, but the Chelsea forward, who had just signed a nine-year contract, saw his low effort deflect wide. With four minutes remaining, Maresca rolled the final die to bring on Nkunku, who delivered the goods. To put Chelsea ahead, Sancho created space on the left and skilfully threaded a pass through to Nkunku, who was able to get between Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi with ease before firing into the corner. Referee Taylor had time to book Felix and Antoine Semenyo in stoppage time, setting a new Premier League record, following the total of 14 players at Vitality Stadium who received yellow cards.