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London, United Kingdom | AFP | Olivier Giroud was a helpless spectator as Chelsea slumped to a shock 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Giroud had completed a move across London from Arsenal worth a reported £18 million ($26 million, 21 million euros) earlier in the day, but the deal was done too late for him to face Eddie Howe’s side.
Full-time: Chelsea 0-3 Bournemouth. #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/aXpUdlLdRe
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Instead, the France international was forced to watch from the stands at Stamford Bridge as his new team-mates were undone by three goals in 16 second-half minutes -– scored by Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake –- as the visitors moved up to mid-table and weakened the reigning champions’ hold on a top four spot.
Giroud’s arrival had triggered the departure of Michy Batshauyi on loan to Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season, with the former Arsenal man set to challenge Alvaro Morata for the central striker role in Antonio Conte’s side.
But with the Spaniard out injured and joined on the sidelines by Willian, the Chelsea coach handed Ross Barkley a first league start since his arrival from Everton with Eden Hazard moving inside to lead the attack.
The England international had been introduced as a substitute in a League Cup semi-final for his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury before the start of the season and Conte admitted the player would take time to recover his best form.
More from Antonio Conte after #CHEBOU… ?https://t.co/1bNMRNFMZd
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 1, 2018
Even so, the Italian showed his faith in the recent addition while Cesc Fabregas was surprisingly left on the bench with Tiemoue Bakayoko preferred in central midfield.
Conte’s side had responded to their loss to Arsenal by easing past Newcastle United in the FA Cup but it soon became clear they would face a much sterner test as Bournemouth made a confident start that could have brought them an early goal.
Stanislas quickly brought Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois –- back after a three-game absence with an ankle injury –- into action with a shot from the edge of the area after exchanging passes with Charlie Daniels.
“We were excellent from start to finish!” ?
See what the boss had to say after a memorable night at Stamford Bridge…#afcb ?https://t.co/3DBC7bO1ll
— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) January 31, 2018
Cherries winger Ryan Fraser was then left frustrated when his break on goal was halted because of a trip by Wilson on backtracking defender Andreas Christensen.
Jordon Ibe confirmed Bournemouth’s early threat by forcing Courtois into his second significant save of the evening.
