Eddie Howe says Bournemouth can stun Chelsea again on Boxing Day
Saturday 24 December 2016 11:12, UK
Eddie Howe says Bournemouth can repeat last season's stunning win at Chelsea when they go to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
Bournemouth proved their Premier League credentials in the space of seven days last December as they won in west London and followed it up by beating Manchester United at home.
Howe insists the Cherries will not return to the Bridge with an inferiority complex this year despite Chelsea's run of 11 straight league victories.
"It should help us, that we won there before," Howe said. "If you have done it once, you can do it again.
"Results like [the 4-3 win against Liverpool at the beginning of December] just reaffirm the idea that we can beat anybody. We proved that last year beating Chelsea and Manchester United in a short space of time.
Trending
- World Darts Championship: Clemens, Lukeman in action on day five LIVE!
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Saudi could offer Rashford way out of Man Utd'
- The Friedkin Group complete Everton takeover
- World Darts Championship schedule: Smith in action on Thursday
- Lawson confirmed as Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate for 2025
- Usyk vs Fury 2: Start time, ring walks, undercard and odds
- Five years of Arteta: Arsenal transformed but what's next?
- Papers: Gravenberch set to stay at Liverpool amid Real Madrid links
- Nunez and Elliott strike as Liverpool battle past Southampton
- Gabriel Jesus is back! Hat-trick for Arsenal striker sinks Palace
"The result against Chelsea last year has to be up there but I don't know if it is the best. It was a great day for the club and it was a mark for how far the club has come and it is a day that everyone will remember.
"I think for us, we need to create more moments. We haven't made dramatic changes to the squad so the majority of the players will be there again and sometimes a good result at a place can inspire those memories to come back. Certainly that is what we hope."
Chelsea will be without suspended duo Diego Costa, the Premier League's top scorer this season with 13 goals, and N'Golo Kante, whose place in midfield could go to Cesc Fabregas.
Howe said: "I saw Cesc Fabregas come on against Crystal Palace and he was sensational. He played five or six passes that are up there with some of the best I have seen in recent times so they will replace a player with Fabregas' qualities. I don't see that being a help to us.
"Costa has had an outstanding season to date but they will have a player who will be able to play just as well. This is going to be a tough game, there is no doubt about that.
"It is a tough task but one we can go in with confidence. We have nothing to lose."
