Chelsea won for the first time since March 11 and picked up their first points under interim boss Frank Lampard by beating Bournemouth 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium.
After a run of six consecutive defeats since Lampard took charge at the beginning of April, Chelsea were in danger of equalling an unwanted club record of seven straight losses in all competitions, but Conor Gallagher’s early header (9) and late strikes from Benoit Badiashile (82) and Joao Felix (86) ensured the Blues left the south coast with a morale-boosting victory
Bournemouth responded well to Gallagher’s opener and had equalised when Matias Vita’s superb strike beat Kepa Arrizabalaga and found the top corner (21), but the hosts had no answer to Badiashile’s effort and their first defeat in three games was confirmed when substitute Felix scored Chelsea’s third.
The result ended Frank Lampard’s 10-game and sees Chelsea end the day 11th in the Premier League table, three points and three places above Bournemouth, who drop to 14th.
Bournemouth travel to Crystal Palace next Saturday before hosting Manchester United on May 20
The Cherries then make the trip to relegation-threatened Everton on the final day of the season
Up next for Chelsea is a home game against strugglers Nottingham Forest next Saturday
The Blues then travel to Manchester City on May 21 and Manchester United on May 25 before hosting Newcastle on the final day of the season
