Man of the moment Jordan Henderson has explained what went into his second goal against Bournemouth
Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson has explained what went into his stunning free-kick(Image: Match of the Day/BBC)
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Jordan Henderson has revealed that Morgan Rogers was left annoyed by his decision to take over Chelsea free-kick duty. The 36-year-old rolled back the years with a pair of superb strikes and provided an assist for Rogers in Saturday's 5-1 win over Bournemouth.
His second, Chelsea's fifth, was a stonking set-piece from off the training ground. Henderson and Cole Palmer stood over the ball. Palmer, the expected taker, shaped to hit it, only to pull back and leave it to his more experienced colleague, who bent a glorious effort into the top corner of the net.
Sensing the most unlikely of hat-tricks, Chelsea then pleaded for Henderson to shoot before the final whistle as the Blues continued their impressive start to life under Xabi Alonso.
After the game, Henderson told Match of the Day about the work that had gone on behind the scenes and how Rogers had reacted. He said: "We have been working on it [the free-kick] in training for the past week or two.
"We said if we get it, that's what we're doing. Morgs wasn't too happy but when we got there. He said, 'Go on then.'
"Cole said to us, 'Which corner are we celebrating in when you score?' So I said, 'The one to the right.' I put it in thankfully. I'm thankful to Cole and Morgs to let us have it."
The former Liverpool captain was brought in on a surprise free transfer from Brentford over the summer to provide some leadership to Chelsea. On the day Palmer announced he had signed a new eight-year contract, the player 12 years his senior stole the show.
Jordan Henderson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10, 2026 in London, England
Henderson celebrates his free-kick goal against Bournemouth(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Alonso said: "We signed him for everything. If he's able to score two beauties like today, we are more than happy for him. But apart from the goals he's done many good things. I think that today was a very complete performance."
Chelsea are the Premier League's fast starters and there were only 65 seconds on the clock when Palmer fed Henderson, who crashed a first-time shot in off a post.
Jordan Henderson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal with Morgan Rogers during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10, 2026 in London, England
Morgan Rogers and Henderson starred against Bournemouth(Image: Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Just over a minute later, Henderson teed up Rogers, whose curler flicked the head of Antonio Silva on its way into the net.
Joao Pedro got in on the act just 40 seconds into the second half. The Brazilian doubled his tally after Evanilson had pulled one back for Bournemouth before Henderson's free-kick rounded off the scoring.