Chelsea paraded their new signing, Olivier Giroud but the blues defender were the problem for Antonio Conte as his champions fall to defeat against Bournemouth in a 0-3 thriller.
Conte’s team lacked threat in attack, neatly illustrating the manager’s desire for more options up front, and were uncharacteristically awful in defence after Andreas Christensen was forced off injured.
Bournemouth took advantage with three goals in a blistering 16-minute spell at the start of the second-half.
Callum Wilson fired in the first goal, Junior Stanislas scored the second and former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake pounced to make it three.
For Giroud it must have felt a lot like it did before his £18million move from Arsenal sitting in the stands, watching his team pounded.
Just 24 hours earlier, Giroud was at Swansea as Arsene Wenger’s team conceded three goals and it is little more than a fortnight since Bournemouth embarrassed the Gunners.
Bournemouth is at it again, disturbing a prestigious reputation and damaging top-four ambitions for the big six in the Premier League.
Any hopes of Chelsea defending the title may be long gone but they may have a fight on their hands to protect their Champions League status.