In the blue corner, Todd Boehly. In the other blue corner, Behdad Eghbali. In the meantime, Enzo Maresca must get on with the business of winning football matches. As the Chelsea soap opera takes its latest plot twist, it turning out this club ain’t big enough for two billionaire egos, Maresca’s team put in a performance often just as dysfunctional as goings-on in the boardroom. And yet Christopher Nkunku’s late strike stole the south coast points.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, as well-coached and energetic a team as can be found in the Premier League, had the better chances, playing the more progressive football. A game that might in future be best recalled for an inordinate amount of yellow cards shown by referee Anthony Taylor – a league record 14, plus Maresca – did not fall to the Basque’s team. Instead, the Frenchman, shaking off Bournemouth defenders, bundled home after a pass from Jadon Sancho, a fellow substitute, and like Nkunku, someone with plenty to prove.