JADON SANCHO marked his Chelsea debut with an impressive Man of the Match display against Bournemouth.
Chelsea had been unable to conjure up a goal in the first half of their clash at the Vitality Stadium, with Robert Sanchez denying the hosts from the penalty spot.
Having been left unhappy by what he had just seen Enzo Maresca rolled the dice by bringing on Sancho for Pedro Neto at half-time.
And it proved to be an inspired move, as the on-loan Manchester United winger provided the match-winning assist for Christopher Nkunku‘s decisive goal after 86 minutes.
Sancho was one of the liveliest players on the pitch as he put in a stunning display from left midfield.
Indeed, for Nkunku’s goal, Sancho beat his marker by cutting back on to his right foot before threading a pass into his team-mate’s path before he slotted home a shot.
Sancho attempted two dribbles and completed 24 of his 26 passes.
He also showed his defensive nous by registering four ball recoveries.
Before the game, Maresca had said he did not consider the Sancho transfer a risk.
And afterwards, he had a glowing review for the 24-year-old.
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He said: “I think we start second half much better and Jadon helped us a lot but what he did tonight is exactly what we expected from him.
“As I said, I know Jadon very good because I watched him many, many times in the past and I know what he can give us.
“Then also Christoph [Nkunku] was very good and not just because he scored but because he fought without the ball and Jadon was exactly the same. Tosin [Adarabioyo] was very good.”
He added: “Very happy, very happy for him.
“He was very good, I think Joao [Felix] was very good and Christoph scored but was also very good.”
Sancho has often looked a shadow of himself since his return to England from Borussia Dortmund.
The former Manchester City had a high-profile fallout with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag last season that saw him banished from first-team training.
He returned to Germany with Dortmund on loan in January and had a mixed spell as he helped them reach the Champions League final.
However, Maresca said he believes he knows how to get the best out of him.
Maresca said: “It’s very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.
CHELSEA needed a late moment of magic from Christopher Nkunku to snatch all three points from Bournemouth.
Marcus Tavernier crashed a super strike against the crossbar early on and Robert Sanchez saved an Evanilson penalty before the break.
Jadon Sancho came on for his debut at half-time and made the difference for the Blues as he set up Nkunku’s winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Nickless rated Maresca’s men…
Robert Sanchez – 8
Man-of-the-match show with first-half penalty save from Evanilson and a handful of excellent saves.
But rather fortunate to stay on the pitch after denying Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate foul that led to the spot-kick.
Axel Disasi – 5
The right-back was given an uncomfortable night down the right side.
Given the runaround by Cherries dangerman Antoine Semenyo and was replaced just after the hour.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Did his best to keep a clean sheet when run ragged by the home strikers.
Luckily for the centre-back, he could rely on Sanchez to keep them out.
Levi Colwill – 6
Did his best to calm the storm that came the Blues’ way for most of the match.
Made sure he kept record-signing Evanilson away from notching his first Premier League goal.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Always busy and making a nuisance of himself when he wasn’t being buffeted by Semenyo’s marking.
But overdid it with one stupid, deliberate shoulder barge on the Bournemouth winger.
Renato Veiga – 5
Suffered like most of his team-mates to open up the home side’s defence.
The Portuguese midfielder didn’t see enough of the ball to make an impact.
Moises Caicedo – 7
The captain was always looking for that defence-splitting pass when he wasn’t on defensive duty.
Gave an example to others around him who weren’t putting in a decent shift.
Noni Madueke – 5
Was quite mad attempting an early shot at the home goal that ended up as a throw-in.
And it didn’t get much better than that for the winger who was hauled off just after the hour.
Cole Palmer – 5
Rested by England for tired muscles and there wasn’t much energy in this performance.
But the Cherries, worried by his reputation, did target him in the first half.
Pedro Neto – 5
Failed to make any impact on the wing but could claim he had little or no service.
Boss Maresca had seen enough and brought on Sancho to replace him at half-time.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Chelsea fans won’t want to suffer another nine years of this from the big striker.
Had one shot comfortably saved and another blocked but will need to show more upfront for his ludicrous long contract.
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Jadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8
Was booked 11 minutes after coming on then, looked likely throughout second half and set up Nkunku’s equaliser on super debut.
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Disasi) – 6
Was seldom troubled.
Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5
Tidied up in midfield.
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8
Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner.
“This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us.
“Also I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football.
“This is the reason why they play.
“They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things.”
If his first 45 minutes are anything to go by, Sancho looks set to get his career back on track.
The win puts Chelsea seventh in the Premier League table before Sunday’s fixtures, with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
