Robert Sanchez capped off an outstanding display by saving a penalty during an even first half and produced a number of fine saves to help his team keep a clean sheet.

But Enzo Maresca's bold substitutions in the second period paid dividends as Jadon Sancho rounded off an excellent debut by setting up another replacement Nkunku for the winner in the 86th minute.

First Premier League start

Enzo Maresca made two alterations to the starting XI which drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace prior to the international break.

There was a first Premier League start for summer signing Renato Veiga, who replaced Enzo Fernandez who was absent due to illness, and Axel Disasi came in at right-back in place of the injured Malo Gusto.

Deadline Day signing Jadon Sancho was named on a strong substitutes bench which also included Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Bournemouth were first to go close inside four minutes when Veiga gave the ball away in his own half and after collecting, Marcus Tavernier fired a 25-yard strike against the crossbar.

Chelsea had more of the possession in the opening quarter of an hour but Bournemouth carried the greater threat and were the first to force a save, as Tavernier's low effort was easily held by Robert Sanchez.

The Blues did go close when a run forward by Wesley Fofana helped create an opening and Noni Madueke had a low goal-bound shot blocked and the home defence just scrambled clear.

But Bournemouth responded immediately and Sanchez had to save well from Justin Kluivert and then make another save from Lewis Cook moments later.

Chelsea had a great chance just after the half-hour mark when Levi Colwill slipped Nicolas Jackson through and his left-footed shot from just inside the area was saved by Mark Travers.

Penalty!

The home side had a glorious opportunity to go in front on 38 minutes when a misplaced pass back by Fofana was intercepted by Evanilson and he just reached the ball ahead of Sanchez, who could do little about bringing down the striker as he knocked the ball past the goalkeeper.

But Sanchez guessed the right way at the spot kick and made a superb stop to keep the score at 0-0.

There was still time before the interval for Cook to have another low drive from long range, which this time went wide of the far post.

Positive introduction

Half-time saw the introduction of Sancho for Neto and the winger had an immediate impact as a swift attack saw him slip the ball through to Cucurella and his pullback was just missed by the attackers in the middle.

The Blues were almost in again soon after when some excellent passing at the back saw Caicedo burst forward from inside his own half and curl a perfect through-ball into the path of Jackson with the outside of his boot. But the striker was bundled over inside the penalty area and the referee waved away the appeal.

Chelsea were attacking with greater purpose in the second period and went close again when Jackson curled a shot wide from inside the penalty area.

But the home side continued to carry a threat and after Colwill was harshly adjudged to have given away a foul just outside our penalty area, the free-kick was taken short and Antoine Semenyo curled a shot just over the bar.

Ryan Christie was next to have a go but once again, Sanchez produced another fine stop as he dived low to his right to finger-tip the low shot on to the outside of the post.

Chelsea looked set to break the deadlock on 66 minutes when a run to the byline and low cross from Cucurella led to a scramble in the box and when the ball broke to Jackson eight yards out, his shot would have nestled in the bottom corner had it not been for a goal-saving diving block from Marcos Senesi.

Veiga had a shot blocked at one end and Bournemouth had another at the other end but ultimately the Blues' strength in depth paid off.

The winner!

Sancho and Felix had already made a big impact after coming off the bench and then another, Nkunku - seven minutes after his introduction - scored what proved to be the winner. Sancho passed the ball into the forward and the Frenchman rolled his defender and coolly slotted into the bottom corner from ten yards out.

Sanchez was excellent throughout and he made another good save to parry away a low shot from Alex Scott and ensure Chelsea left the coast with all three points.

The Blues players headed over to our vocal supporters after the final whistle, where Sancho was among those to receiving a rousing reception after his outstanding debut.

What it means

Chelsea's victory saw the Blues move up to seventh in the Premier League table after four games, just one point off the Champions League places and two below second-place Liverpool.

What next

The Blues now have a week until their next game when they have the shorter trip to East London to face West Ham United.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Disasi (Tosin 61), Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Veiga; Madueke (Felix 61), Palmer, Neto (Sancho 46); Jackson (Nkunku 79)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Casadei, Mudryk, Guiu
Goals: Nkunku 86
Booked: Fofana 31, Cucurella 36, Sanchez 37, Jackson 52, Colwill 58, Sancho 58, Veiga 87

Bournemouth: Travers, Smith (c) (Araujo 75), Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Cook, Christie (Scott 68), Semenyo, Kluivert (Billing 75), Tavernier (Unal 83), Evanilson (Sinisterra 67)
Subs not used: Dennis, Huijsen, Hill, Brooks
Booked: Christie 18, Cook 35, Smith 38, Kluivert 59, Senesi 80

Referee: Anthony Taylor