Match Report: Hazard Found His Shooting Boots by the Seaside

Throughout much of the season, it had looked as if Chelsea’s players were already on the beach. But in a twist of irony on Saturday, a trip to the actual beach found that there was still some fight left in a number of the Blues stars.

Coming into Saturday's game , Chelsea had won just 1 of their last 7 matches in all competitions — with that solitary win coming at Villa Park. While their hosts, Bournemouth, had lost just 3 of their previous 8 league matches.

With nothing left to play for, Guus Hiddink looked like he was going to give some youth and fringe players more minutes. Or at least this would have been the perfect opportunity for those players. Instead, Hiddink opted for a strong lineup to face the Cherries, including Eden Hazard’s first start in over 6 weeks.

While Hazard's start was a surprise, the biggest shock in Chelsea’s lineup was in back four. Despite having a young defender available to him, Matt Miazga, Hiddink chose to start the versatile John Obi Mikel at centre-back in place of an ill Gary Cahill.

Bournemouth worked so hard throughout an injury plagued season to ensure safety that it seems to be taking a toll on their recent results. That being said, the final score flattered the guests to some degree as Bournemouth played an entertaining, open game — especially in the first 45 minutes.

The home side were often their own undoing in the final third. They attacked well through the middle and into the final third. But shots were often shanked wide or well over the cross bar. Rarely testing Mikel's prowess in the 18 yard box. Joshua King was a handful for Branislav Ivanovic, but in the end his hard work was all for nowt.

Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea just 5 minutes into the game. The diminutive Spaniard has now netted 7 goals for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, only Diego Costa (11) has managed more. Scoring so early in the match allowed Chelsea focus on their own game rather than just trying to stifle a free-flowing Bournemouth side.

Pedro's goal may have set the tone for Chelsea, but it was the next one that this match will be remembered for -- Eden Hazard only went and scored a goal. Not only was it his first league goal of the season, but it was the first from open-play for Chelsea in over a year. His last coming at home to Manchester United on April 18, 2015.

Tommy Elphick, not quite as elated for the Belgian as the travelling contingent, pulled one back for the Cherries just 2 minutes later. The Blues have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 14 matches in all competitions - against Aston Villa. In fact, Chelsea have actually kept 2 fewer clean sheets under Guus Hiddink this season (6) than they had under Jose Mourinho (8).

Bournemouth did not start the second half as strongly, letting Chelsea dictate the pace for the remainder of the match. Willian found the back of the net in the 71st minute. While Eden Hazard, after waiting all season to get his first league goal, scored a second which he effectively set-up through a lovely exchange with Nemanja Matic.

Hazard’s second goal was the only Chelsea goal that was not officially assisted by Cesc Fàbregas. After picking up just 4 assists in the league all season, Fàbregas managed 3 on Saturday afternoon - and was involved in the Matic-Hazard goal as well.

Although they’ve come too late to have any substantial impact on Chelsea’s season, Fàbregas’ performances in the second half of the season are a positive the supporters can take away and look forward to next season. He dictated everything that was positive about Chelsea’s play on Saturday. While Hazard will draw the headlines, and did have an excellent performance beyond the goals, it was Fàbregas who controlled that game. Beyond the assists, he made 91 passes and 4 tackles - no player made more in the game.

Chelsea supporters haven’t had much to cheer for this season, but if Hazard and Fàbregas can start next season like they’re ending this one - there could be a lot more happy days ahead in SW6.

For all of the stats from Bournemouth 1-4 Chelsea, head to the match centre