Cherries narrowly beaten by Chelsea
AFC Bournemouth
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AFC Bournemouth took the lead only to lose 2-1 to European champions Chelsea in their final pre-season friendly.
An entertaining first half ended goalless despite chances for both sides, but the Cherries grasped the initiative as the sun came down in the second half.
Some bright play saw the ball worked wide to the energetic Jack Stacey, his ball skipping up for Emiliano Marcondes to place home with his head.
The lead was wiped out with just under 20 minutes remaining however, the Premier League side level when Armando Borja profited from Baba's inswinging cross from the left.
Substitute Ike Ugbo scored with a header from a set piece minutes later to fully stem the momentum that had seemed to be flowing in the home side's direction and instead win the game for the visitors.
Scott Parker - in charge for the first time in front of the Cherries fans - named a strong team for the 7.45pm kick-off, Lloyd Kelly captaining the side again while new signing Leif Davis wasn't able to feature in the squad following his loan arrival from Leeds United.
Tammy Abraham had an early chance, Mark Travers using his leg to poke the ball away from the striker's feet as he was looking to pounce.
Stacey scampered forwards from full-back but couldn't keep the ball in play as he centred, Christian Pulisic finding space but firing wide shortly afterwards at the other end.
A David Brooks free-kick was over the head of Zeno Ibsen Rossi before the Cherries created their best chance yet. Brooks again the creator with a sliding through ball that found Dominic Solanke, defender Lewis Baker making a well-timed block to thwart as the striker fired goalwards.
Mark Travers saved down low from Callum Hudson-Odoi, the Blues then having a clearer opportunity when Marcos Alonso lined up a free-kick from his specialist position just beyond the D, though his effort clattered into the wall.
The Cherries 'keeper was at his best just past the midway point of the half, blocking Abraham's effort from close range - the vocal home supporters loudly appreciative of Travers' impressive intervention.
Kelly positioned himself well to block a shot from Hakim Ziyech as the Morrocan latched onto Alonso's low cross from the byline.
Abraham saw a third chance go begging as he flicked over the crossbar with his head from a promising position, the two sides soon returning to the dressing rooms level at 0-0.
Triallist Kyle Edwards was introduced ahead of the restart, replacing Kyle Taylor, who had enjoyed a busy 45 minutes but taken a heavy tackle late in the half.
Three-and-a-half minutes after the beginning of the half, Brooks was set free, the freedom of the Chelsea half to drive into. Just substitute 'keeper Edouard Mendy in front of him, the winger beat the man but not the post as his effort went marginally wide.
The hosts were into their stride and once Stacey was sent into the box his ball was turned goalward by Edwards, only a terrific stretched Mendy limb in the way to prevent a certain goal from the traillist.
Chelsea maintained their attacking threat, Travers catching from Matt Miazga's central header.
Solanke's purposeful dribble across the box ended in a foul and a chance for the Cherries. Marcondes took responsibility, his free-kick up over the wall and down sharply, but not sharply enough as it narrowly cleared the bar.
Substitute Jordan Zemura swarmed into the Blues' box on the dribble, winning a corner that caused concern until the giant Mendy plucked the ball out of the night.
There was to be no denying the Cherries moments later as a well-worked move ended in a well taken goal.
Gavin Kilkenny started the move with a smart turn in the Chelsea half, finding Brooks who in turn teed up Stacey, the powered centre took a nick before being dispatched by the head of Marcondes six yards from goal.
The advantage was soon wiped out by the Blues, who against the run of play equalised when Borja made the most of room afforded him in the box to turn home past Travers.
The turnaround was complete four minutes later with Ugbo meeting a corner at the near post and finding the back of the net.
Sam Surridge had a late chance to score, sending his header over, the well-fought match ending in slender defeat for the Cherries as they now face the start of their competitive campaign on Saturday with the visit of MK Dons in the Carabao Cup.
Pre-season 2021/22