Eden Hazard scored his first Premier League goal of the season to fire Chelsea to a third straight win.

The Blues continued their recovery from their recent blip thanks to the Belgian winger's second-half winner.

Hazard drilled a left-footed effort past former Chelsea stopper Asmir Begovic to earn Antonio Conte's men a narrow but fully deserved win.

Victory took them back into fourth and one point off third-placed Tottenham, who lost at Manchester United earlier in the day.

The Belgian ran the show for the champions (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Morata was denied a goal due to a wrong offside decision (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Hazard was a central figure all afternoon, though in the first half it was as a creator.

Alvaro Morata came close twice from chances created by Hazard.

The Spaniard saw his first deflected wide by Begovic and the second also put behind by Bournemouth's keeper, who stuck out a strong left arm to deny Morata after he cleverly worked a shooting opportunity for himself on the edge of the box.

Defoe was kept quiet throughout again (
Image:
AFP)
Hazard pulls off his signature celebration (
Image:
PA)

But when the favour was returned in the 51st minute Hazard made no mistake.

Morata won the ball in midfield and chipped the ball over the Bournemouth defence which captain Simon Francis should have cut out.

But he missed his kick and Hazard ran through before letting fly with an effort that beat Begovic at his near post to earn Chelsea all three points.

Big chance Bournemouth

What a miss from Cook.

He blasts straight at Courtois with time inside the penalty area.

Chelsea holding on here deep into stoppage time.

Man of the match: Eden Hazard

Hazard will pick up the man of the match award.

He’s been at his scintillating best today with a series of mazy dribbles and chances created.

The goals are the last part of the equation in holding him back from being in the conversation with the game’s truly elite stars.

Willian over the top and Begovic fluffs the clearance.

It’s then headed back to a team-mate by the Cherries goalkeeper, who gets away with it.

Willian then tees up Batshuayi on the volley on the far left of the area, it’s wildly over the bar. Poor.

Willian in for Hazard, who will rest ahead of a busy week coming up.

Conte conscious of the challenges against Roma and Man United.

He has put Chelsea on the way to three points, just six minutes left for his team-mates to finish the job.

Little nudge from Zappacosta at the corner ensures Chelsea get out of a small bout of pressure to regroup at the goal kick.

Drinkwater at the base of the midfield, Bakayoko and Fabregas just ahead.

Hazard dancing his way down the left again, slides in Fabregas, who blasts wide and over from a narrow angle - should score.

More dominance from Chelsea, but it’s all in front of Bournemouth.

The tempo has dropped, can Chelsea finish the game?

Batshuayi is on for Chelsea, replaces Morata, Drinkwater in for Pedro. Switch to 3-5-2?

Now it’s Afobe who is off with an injury, more concern for Howe.

Wilson comes on, he will be important in the coming weeks.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, this game is still within reach.

More lovely interplay from the Blues which ends with Pedro curling one that ends up straight down the barrel for Begovic.

The Blues’ dominance amounts to 61 percent possession, with 450 completed passes vs Bournemouth’s 246.

Fabregas has had a fine day, 98 passes, 18 more than the next best passing performer for Conte’s men (Azpilicueta).

Great football from the champions with Hazard playing a one-two with Pedro.

The ball back is perfect, but Hazard blazes well over.

Bournemouth hanging on, 15-3 in attempts today in favour of the visitors.

It’s the groin for Stanislas and his race is run.

Pugh comes on in his place, Howe has half an hour to save the game and grab something.

Even a point will not be enough to climb outside the relegation zone.

Smith with a late challenge from behind on Hazard, who has taken some punishment this evening.

A yellow for the Cherries full-back.

Stanislas has pulled up, he looks hurt and could be coming off.

Ibe with a powerful drive that sails over the bar.

Should keep that down a bit more, though it takes a slight flick off Rudiger’s boot to go out for a corner.

Fabregas heads the corner away at the near post - poor corner again.

Goal! Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard)

Goal for the Blues and it’s been coming, Hazard driving home at the near post!

Begovic is at fault here, shouldn’t be beaten that easily, the shot wasn’t that powerful.

Conte erupts in delight! Five in five against the Cherries for the Belgian.

Back underway and Bournemouth have come out much better.

Cook with a shot that sails well over, but at least Chelsea are being forced to defend.

Fabregas and Pedro buzzing about and the former almost slides in Hazard in behind. Good tempo.

Alonso the latest to spurn an opportunity for Chelsea.

The Spaniard’s towering header just wide.

All Chelsea this half. Conte will be livid they haven’t taken the lead.

(
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

More Chelsea pressure with Morata playing on the last man.

Begovic has been quick off his line and denies a clear one on one to boot it out of play.

Cherries need to change something here, can Afobe hold it up to give them a breather?

Hazard cuts it back to the onrushing Zappacosta just inside the area.

The Italian’s shot is blocked and sent out for a corner.

Cherries under big pressure now, just about surviving.

Chelsea should be in front, very marginal offside call on Azpilcueta as the shot from the edge of the area came in. It looks like he was just onside.

The rebound comes out to Morata who converts but the flag saves Bournemouth.

Bakayoko with a free header from a corner.

Solid contact, but straight at Begovic.

Blues on top here!

(
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Big chance!

Terrible kick out from Begovic.

Hazard takes a couple of quick touches before feeding Morata.

The Spaniard’s shot is narrowly wide at the near post, it should be 1-0.

(
Image:
AFP)

Terrible pass from Afobe as he found himself in a wonderful position.

Daniels is on the overlap and it’s almost out for a goal kick, he reaches it and finds Afobe with the cutback.

It’s block and out for a corner.

Morata almost converts at the near post, good work from Hazard in the build-up.

(
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Pedro is released after fine interplay by Azpilicueta and Luiz.

He fires well over though as the opportunity opened up.

(
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Cook heads clear as Pedro looks to lift it into Morata’s path.

The former Real hit man had made a yard of space.

Fabregas with a shot blocked by Cook, good start by Conte’s men.

(
Image:
AFP)

Pedro picks it up deep inside his own half and wants to feed Hazard on the break with a long through ball.

Bournemouth aware of that threat and drop deep at the turnover.

Chelsea now on the front foot and looking to plot a way through.

The Cherries start brightly, stroking it around nicely.

Cook getting around and looking lively, what a job he has today up against Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Afobe already drifting and looking to be fed down the channels.

Here we go...

Impeccably observed minute’s silence at the Vitality Stadium.

Craig Pawson referees today, Chelsea are not big fans of his, he sent off Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas on the opening day of the season

Premier League round-up

All of Chelsea’s rivals have won in the 3pm kick-offs.

Here’s a round-up if you’ve just got in:

Chelsea starlet shining in Under-17 World Cup final

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been impressing in India as England take a huge step towards World Cup glory in the Under-17 final.

The Blues starlet, just 16 years of age, has produced a wonderful piece of wing play to ghost past his man and supply Phil Foden at the back stick.

The City prospect slots home and England have 15 minutes to hold on for glory - follow it live here.

Baka sports new blue haircut

Tiemoue Bakayoko promised he would dye his hair blue after scoring his first Chelsea goal.

It’s take a little while since grabbing it at Crystal Palace on October 14.

But he’s been true to his word and it looks rather smart.

Team news: Bournemouth

Bold from Eddie Howe with two up top.

He’ll match Antonio Conte for formation.

Former Blues Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic line up against their former side.