Opposition sides have not found it easy at the Vitality Stadium this season. Bournemouth press high and intensely, something Blues head coach Enzo Maresca highlighted ahead of our clash on the south coast.

That approach, while perhaps not sustainable for 90 minutes, does often lead to opportunities being fashioned – and Andoni Iraola's side had several in the opening 45 minutes. Yet Sanchez repelled them and continued to do so in the second period.

It's why the Spain international earned a comprehensive 82 per cent of the votes in our Player of the Match poll. He was a deserving winner.

Keeping us level

The Blues had to weather immediate pressure from the home side. Antoine Semenyo carried the Cherries' biggest threat and the winger had the ball in the net inside three minutes. Fortunately, the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, but it set the tone of the first half.

Ten of the 13 shots Bournemouth registered in the contest came during the opening period. Four of them were fired toward goal by Semenyo; two forced Sanchez into instinctive action.

There was an excellent one-handed save to palm away a powerful drive across goal from the Ghana international, which Evanilson couldn't divert home at the back post, and a reaction stop to shovel the ball away after an attempt from the edge of the box by the Bournemouth winger.

Sanchez also beat away a powerful strike from midfielder Alex Scott during a period of the game in which his goal came under heavy pressure.

‘Bournemouth are a great team and they came with a lot of intensity in the first half an hour,' said the 28-year-old. 'We had to deal with that and make sure we managed on and off the ball well, and then see how the game went.'

The Blues gained greater control in the second half, which curbed Bournemouth's threat. They registered just one shot on target. Again, it came from Semenyo and Sanchez denied the Cherries' winger once more.

'You know, especially with Semenyo, he is going to get a shot in from anywhere at any moment,' said Sanchez. 'So I had to be ready and I was.'

Helping apply pressure

Having come through the Bournemouth first-half pressure, Maresca's side enjoyed greater control in the second period. There were fewer turnovers of possession in our defensive and midfield thirds, and we were able to test Djordje Petrovic in the Bournemouth goal.

Sanchez's role in our build-up is well established, as highlighted in the touch map below, and the Spain international was a greater presence outside of his penalty area after the break.

Whereas in the first half, just five of Sanchez's successful passes were played outside his penalty area, there were eight in the second period, born out of our greater control and inevitable fatigue creeping into Bournemouth's performance.

Unfortunately, Sanchez's display, with and without the ball, didn't result in the Blues taking all three points from the Vitality. Yet the Blues stopper was pleased to have kept another clean sheet; he has eight in the Premier League this term, the most alongside Arsenal's David Raya.

‘I had some good saves, kept a clean sheet and helped the boys try to get the points,' he reflected.

'I am happy [with my performances this season]. I’m trying to stay consistent, try not to chase things and let things come to me. Play simple when I can play simple and off the ball always do what I have to do, make the saves.

' So I’m trying to stay consistent and calm, and it’s been a good season so far.’