Chelsea turned the sixth round of the Premier League into a one-sided afternoon, overwhelming Bournemouth 5-1 through a burst of early finishing and a second-half response that quickly erased any prospect of a comeback.
The contest was barely underway when Jordan Henderson put Chelsea ahead in the second minute. Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the midfielder struck first time and sent his effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Morgan Rogers made the advantage two. The forward produced a fine finish, curling a shot into the goalkeeper’s top-left corner as Chelsea capitalised on their fast start.
There was no let-up after the interval. In the 46th minute, João Pedro met a cross inside the box with a first-time finish, directing the ball into the corner to make it 3-0.
Bournemouth did find a reply through Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa, whose goal reduced the deficit to 3-1 and briefly offered the visitors a route back into the match.
Chelsea close the door
That encouragement did not last. João Pedro struck again in the 67th minute, converting from close range for his second goal of the game and Chelsea’s fourth.
Henderson then completed his own double three minutes later. His free-kick found the net to establish the final 5-1 scoreline, sealing an emphatic Chelsea victory built on ruthless finishing at both the beginning and end of the afternoon.
