Chelsea's best and worst players against Bournemouth
Frank Lampard finally earned the first victory of his tenure as Chelsea's caretaker manager with an unconvincing 3-1 win away to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea had led for less than half an hour across Lampard's opening six matches back at the helm of the Blues. Across a largely even contest at the Vitality Stadium, Chelsea stole a rare three points after being in front for just 20 combined minutes.
Conor Gallagher gave the visitors a ninth-minute lead with a well-placed header but Matias Vina waltzed down the left flank - not for the first or last time that afternoon - to equalise in the first half.
Bournemouth were oddly listless after the interval yet still conspired to carve out a strong appeal for a penalty. The video assistant referee rewatched Thiago Silva tap Dominic Solanke's toes in the box without touching the ball but didn't advise John Brooks to have another look.
Chelsea capitalised upon their good fortune in the final ten minutes through a familiar avenue of pain for Bournemouth. Benoit Badiashile snuck in at the back post to volley in Hakim Ziyech's wickedly delivered set piece - the Cherries have conceded an unrivalled 21 goals from dead balls this season.
Joao Felix completed the scoring in the 86th minute, sweeping the ball past Neto after Raheem Sterling came off the bench to dance through a wounded Bournemouth backline. Felix is now the club's leading scorer since his January arrival - boasting a grand total of three Premier League goals.
Here are the stars and stinkers from a much-need win for Chelsea.
Chelsea's best player vs Bournemouth
Noni Madueke: 7/10
For the second game in a row, Madueke provided a rare ray of hope amid the final flickering of Chelsea’s bin fire of a season.
The fleet-footed January arrival completed more dribbles than any other player on the pitch (five) but didn't shirk his responsibilities at the other end of the pitch, dutifully tracking back to help Trevoh Chalobah struggle against Bournemouth's left-wing rotations.
Honourable mention
Benoit Badiashile: 7/10
Stepping into the slot vacated by the injured Wesley Fofana, Badiashile made a compelling case to prolong his inclusion even if the Frenchman regains fitness before the end of the season.
One misstep was swiftly rectified by halting Bournemouth's progress with a tactical foul that may have earned a yellow card but snuffed out a promising attack. Badiashile also broke his duck for Chelsea in front of goal, notching up his third of the season after joining from Monaco in January to ensure this is the most prolific campaign of the defender's young career.
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Chelsea's worst player vs Bournemouth
Mykhaylo Mudryk: 3/10
While Madueke mesmerised on the right, Mudryk muddled through an hour on Chelsea’s left wing.
The chief incident of note for the misfiring Mudryk was a first-half yellow card for simulation. Unlike the neon butterflies indelibly inked on his neck with their wings extended, Mudryk is yet to take off in blue.
Dishonourable mention
Thiago Silva: 4/10
After two decades of top-tier football, Silva knew what was coming. Or so he thought. Rather than exchanging words of encouragement or high fives in the wake of a last-ditch tackle, the 38-year-old desperately tried to avoid eye contact with the referee after making contact with Dominic Solanke in Chelsea's penalty box.
Somehow, the challenge went unpunished despite the external scrutiny of VAR - much to Silva's relief, and surprise.