Henderson stars as Chelsea thrash Bournemouth

Report and free match highlights as Jordan Henderson scores two stunners, Joao Pedro hits a double and Morgan Rogers is on target in thrilling win at Stamford Bridge; Winless Bournemouth undone twice inside first three minutes pulled one back through Evanilson but ultimately blown away

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Chelsea thumped Bournemouth 5-1 in a stunning show of their attacking firepower to go fifth in the early Premier League table.

Stunning strikes form Jordan Henderson bookmarked the scoring at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso's side bounced back from their bad loss at Brentford before the international break in style.

After a mixed start to his reign, the Spaniard is now entering a potentially defining run of games which will shape Chelsea's season. This result and performance will fuel belief in the project.

Chelsea were in serious need of a response and got it with a dream start - and more early goals. There were just 65 seconds on the clock when 36-year-old Henderson whipped his first of the afternoon in off a post after good play by Cole Palmer, who had extended his Chelsea contract earlier in the day .

Henderson then turned provider when Morgan Rogers' shot flicked off Antonio Silva and into the far corner. There had been just two minutes and 29 seconds played. It is the earliest Chelsea have ever been 2-0 up in a Premier League game.

Sleepy Bournemouth - who saw Rayan denied by a brilliant one-on-one stop from Emi Martinez just before the break - failed to learn their lesson and incredibly conceded a third just 30 seconds into the second half. Silva's error allowed Pedro Neto to cut the ball back for fit-again Joao Pedro to slam in.

A set-piece scramble saw Evanilson block Moises Caicedo's clearance into the Chelsea net to deny the leaky Blues a clean sheet and there was suddenly nervousness around the ground. But two more quickfire goals ended the contest.

Pep Chavarria's cross for Joao Pedro to tap in his second of the afternoon was excellent. But Henderson's free-kick goal was exquisite. With everyone expecting Palmer to take it on, the veteran midfielder instead produced another spectacular moment.

Alonso's Chelsea may not be perfect. But they sure are exciting to watch.

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2: GOAL! It's a perfect start for Chelsea and Henderson. Palmer makes progress into the box then cuts it back to the midfielder who whips a stunning shot in off the far post!

3: GOAL! Chelsea are in dreamland as a Rogers shot flicks off Silva and into the far corner. There's a VAR check for offside on Joao Pedro, who was jostling with Silva but the goal stands!

6: WIDE! Rayan is played into the box by Marcus Tavernier but he lashes wastefully wide of the near post.

23: CLOSE! Henderson lobs a shot towards the far corner from the edge of the box but a deflection takes it narrowly wide.

36: DOUBLE SAVE! Adrien Truffert curls a pass through for Rayan to run onto but Martinez dashes out and sticks out a left arm to block the one-on-one shot. Ryan Christie is onto the rebound 25 yards out but Martinez gets up quickly to stop the next one.

46: GOAL! Another lightning start from Chelsea! Just 30 seconds into the second half, Silva's mistake allows Neto to cut the ball back for Joao Pedro to slam in Chelsea's third!

51: GOAL! Bournemouth pull one back when Evanilson blocks Caicedo's clearance into the net after a flicked-on corner causes chaos in the Chelsea six-yard box.

67: GOAL! Bournemouth were piling on the pressure but Rogers feeds Chavarria who punches a first-time pass across the face of goal for Joao Pedro to tuck in!

70: GOAL! Henderson bends a brilliant free-kick in from 25 yards after Palmer is hauled down. A sensational strike!

Chelsea's season is set to be shaped by the run of games they have before the November international break. After a mixed start to Xabi Alonso's reign, he is in need of a strong run in the Premier League to boost the bid to return to Champions League football, while a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool could be a launchpad for early silverware.

His Chelsea side showed how they're going to go about it on Saturday, blowing away Bournemouth with their attacking power.

Joao Pedro is fit again and still firing. Cole Palmer was classy and looks recovered from the issue which forced him out of England duty and buoyed by a new Chelsea contract. Morgan Rogers is in form and connecting with both in style. And a certain Jordan Henderson has developed an ability to crack in stunning goals.

Moises Caicedo's first start brought extra punch in midfield. There was, though, some nervousness when Bournemouth bundled one back, such has been Chelsea's poor defensive record this season. But while Alonso was preparing a double change to intervene, Chelsea scored two more. That looks like it will be their way for now, as they aim to blast their way into a position to push for success this season.