Jordan Henderson revealed he pulled rank to score the first direct free-kick of his career after practicing them over the international break.
Henderson, 36, used the three-week hiatus to work on his shooting with Blues set-piece coach Austin MacPhee.
It certainly paid off for the former Liverpool captain, who stepped up ahead of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers to curl in Chelsea’s fifth goal in their 5-1 demolition of Bournemouth.
“Some of the lads, and Austin, have a little bit of confidence in me, so when I have some confidence in me, I can step up and take it,” Henderson told the club website.
“But we’ve been working on it in training for the past week or two, to be fair, and I was pretty consistent.
“Austin said ‘that’s what we’re doing’. Morgs wasn’t too happy. Cole said ‘which corner are we celebrating in’.
“It was nice because it was something that we worked on and we executed it really well. So I was thankful to Cole and Morgs to let me have it.”
It was a spectacular home debut for Henderson, who had scored two goals in his previous four seasons yet grabbed two in 70 minutes against the Cherries.
His first came after just 65 seconds, a 20-yard drive which flew in off a post.
Moments later Rogers made it two and João Pedro added a third 40 seconds into the second half.
Even when Evanilson reduced the arrears Chelsea kept their foot on the pedal, with Pedro grabbing another before Henderson produced his party piece.
The attacking triumvirate of Palmer, Rogers and Pedro ran Bournemouth ragged and Henderson added: “They’re fantastic players, with huge talent, of course.
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“What I was most pleased with was the work we did and the defensive attitude without the ball.
“That helps the team and gives us a platform. When we win it back, they’re so good on the transition. They can kill any team with the skill, the pace, the power, and they’re clinical in front of goal.
“I know everyone will speak about the goals and that’s what everyone wants to see, of course, but for me I thought they worked outstandingly hard for the team and that’s what I’m most impressed with.”
