In the blue corner, Todd Boehly, in the other blue corner, Behdad Eghbali. In the meantime, Enzo Maresca must get back to winning football games. As the Chelsea soap opera takes its latest twist, it turns out this club is not big enough for two billionaire egos. Maresca’s team delivered a performance that was as dysfunctional as what was going on in the boardroom. And yet Christopher Nkunku’s last-minute goal stole the points.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, a team as well-drilled and dynamic as any in the Premier League, had the better chances and played far more progressive football. But a game best remembered for the number of yellow cards was not won by the Basque team despite many near misses. Instead, the Frenchman shook off Bournemouth’s defenders and scored a winner that would have been out of reach for a struggling Chelsea.

In the absence of Enzo Fernández and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the imposing Renato Veiga partnered Moisés Caicedo. That presence should give Caicedo the chance to make more of the quick runs he was known for at Brighton, but the Portuguese, making his first league appearance, needed help against the speed of Bournemouth’s pressing and attacks. In the opening salvos, Marcus Tavernier smashed a shot from a tight angle past Robert Sánchez and, when Axel Disasi hesitated, Evanilson was a blink away from scoring his first Premier League goal.

Nicolas Jackson, whose contract runs until 2033, led the attack. Jadon Sancho, another reinforcement for Chelsea’s wingers, was on the bench, while new England international Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto flanked Cole Palmer. The presence of this attacking unit was fragile in the first half, a wealth of individual talent searching for the right combinations. Adam Smith versus Neto was a key battleground and the veteran of Bournemouth’s League One days more than held his own.

Chelsea’s defence and midfield were similarly listless, Veiga sluggish and nervous, Caicedo wasteful. Another loss of possession and Evanilson soon laid off Justin Kluivert, who warmed Sánchez’s hands as a warm late summer day turned into a frosty evening on the coast.

Just before the half hour mark, Madueke finally got space to make his trademark foray, but his free-kick Jackson was ruled offside. While referee Anthony Taylor bore the brunt of the Chelsea fans’ unrest, the cause was their team’s performance. Finally, in the 33rd minute, Mark Travers, standing in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was ineligible to play against the parent club that did not want him, was called upon to save a shot when Levi Colwill brought on Jackson. The shot went straight at the Irish goalkeeper.

Sánchez, Kepa’s replacement, became villain and then hero when he conceded a penalty to Evanilson and then saved the ball from the same player. Taylor ruled the goalkeeper had fouled the Brazilian in what looked more like a 50-50 contest after Wesley Fofana’s horribly short back pass. A half that could have seen Bournemouth go into the break well ahead ended with another Evanilson effort that went wide.

Six yellow cards in the first half suggested a heated match, but most of them were the result of Taylor’s over-exuberance. Sancho came on for Neto at half-time, but Chelsea continued to struggle to get the ball out of the back, with Lewis Cook and Christie always on their heels.

Sancho’s first real involvement was to set up Jackson for another missed shot. Bournemouth continued to have the better chances. Kluivert, charging straight at goal and easily evading Fofana, forced Sánchez into another save. Antoine Semenyo narrowly over from a free kick at the training ground, then a deflected shot from Ryan Christie hit the post. There were 10 yellow cards in the 62nd minute and not a single shot was on target. And still no first goal, as Maresca brought on the disappointing Madueke for João Félix.

It was clear that Bournemouth were tiring of their first-half efforts and they began to retreat while Chelsea finally enjoyed the comfort of dominating possession. João Félix drifted while Palmer pushed forward to support Jackson and Iraola sent fresh legs onto the field, including Luis Sinisterra. The hapless but game-winning Jackson was taken off for Nkunku and when Sancho moved inside, the substitute scored to serve as a reminder that, for all their dysfunction, Chelsea have amassed some valuable talent.