Chelsea won their first Premier League game since October 16 with goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, but the hosts’ day was ruined when Reece James’ comeback was cut short due to injury.
Graham Potter named James to the starting XI after he returned from more than two months out with a knee injury, and he excelled for nearly an hour before collapsing in front of the head coach and having to be replaced. The right-back later left Stamford Bridge wearing a brace on his right knee.
James’ departure appeared to shake Chelsea, who seemed to lose their composure and let Bournemouth back into the game. However, the visitors lacked the talent to pose a threat to the Blues, who had dropped their previous three games without scoring a goal.
Prior to James’ injury, though, goals from Havertz (16) and Mount (24) had given Chelsea the lead, and they were able to hold on to win to take the burden off Potter and reduce the distance to fourth-place Tottenham to six points with a game remaining.