First half goals from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount ensured that Chelsea's poor run of pre-World Cup form did not carry over into the Premier League restart.
It was a comfortable evening for the hosts at Stamford Bridge, who never looked likely to lose their lead, once Havertz put them ahead after just 16 minutes. The forward tapped in from close range, after Raheem Sterling's low cross.
The German then earned himself an assist, as he set up Mason Mount for a first-time effort at goal, which doubled Chelsea's lead.
Barring a late, brief period of pressure from Bournemouth, Gary O'Neil's men looked second best throughout and could do little to resist The Blues' dominance.
With this win, Chelsea move up to eighth place - six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham - with a game in hand. Graham Potter's team travel to Nottingham Forest next up, on New Year's Day.
Bournemouth remain three points above the relegation zone, in 14th position.
Story of the match
There was a raft of changes for the hosts, compared to their previous league fixture. From the defeat at Newcastle, back in November, only Kalidou Koulibaly, Jorginho and Mount kept their places.
Lloyd Kelly, Jack Stacey and Jefferson Lerma came into the Bournemouth team, which last beat Everton 3-0, prior to the World Cup break.
The hosts aimed to put right their record of three consecutive league defeats and, as many would have expected, looked the more threatening team, during the opening stages of the game.
Just before the ten minute mark, an accurate cross from Marc Cucurella picked out Havertz in the box, but the German's header floated comfortably over the crossbar.
Soon after, Christian Pulisic put a left-footed attempt in a roughly similar area. However, the winger had been impeded by a slight tug on his shirt from Adam Smith - contact which the referee did not deem sufficient enough for the award of a penalty.
The home supports' frustrations did not have to last very long - their team scored the opening goal of the game just a few minutes later.
Jorginho, Mount and Sterling combined through the middle of the pitch, with the latter finding himself in plenty of space down the right wing, in behind the Bournemouth backline. Sterling put a perfect, low cross into the path of the oncoming Havertz, who squeezed the ball past Mark Travers, at the far post.
Following the opener, there was no positive response from the visitors, who looked way off of the pace being set by Chelsea. The hosts then managed to extend their lead, on 24 minutes.
After working their way into The Cherries' box, a simple cut-back from Havertz set Mount up nicely for a first-time effort at goal. From just outside of the box, the midfielder placed his precise effort perfectly, with the ball curling on target just before it reached the goal, nestling into the corner of Travers' net.
With the lead becoming a comfortable one, the game entered a fairly quiet period, for much of the remaining first half. While Bournemouth were able to repel any further waves of danger towards their goal, they also did not look remotely capable of getting themselves back into the contest.
Just before half-time, Pulisic had the ball in the back of Bournemouth's net for a third time, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Havertz just prior to the accurate finish.
Efforts at goal from Reece James and Sterling in added time further tested Travers, with the keeper ensuring the damage remained as it was and Bournemouth could head into a much-needed break and regroup.
The 2-0 scoreline was a very accurate reflection of the first 45 minutes. It proceeded to be a very comfortable start to the second half for the hosts, as well.
Their only issue was James being forced off by injury, shortly after the restart. After seeming in a lot of discomfort, the full-back had to be replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Denis Zakaria had two efforts at goal in short succession, as he looked to get his name on the scoresheet, during his first Premier League appearance. Chelsea were looking even more assured and comfortable than they were during the first half and it seemed only a matter of time before they extended their two-goal lead.
A solo run from Havertz led to him having a sight at goal from a decent position, at the hour mark. He could only drag his effort wide. A similar burst through the Bournemouth half by Mount resulted in a powerful, low effort being diverted for a corner.
Koulibaly was next in line to come close for the hosts. His glanced header sailed narrowly wide of the far post.
The prospect of any kind of comeback from the visitors seemed something in the realm of fantasy. Late on, Ryan Christie's charge into the box and low effort at goal was Bournemouth's only notable chance of the game - Kepa Arrizabalaga made a good save to ensure the hosts' clean sheet remained intact, in the 80th minute.
The Spanish keeper was then forced to deal with a cross into the box. After he came out to divert Jordan Zemura's threatening delivery, Chelsea's counter-attack led to Conor Gallagher having time to have a left-footed effort at goal, which was well blocked by one of the defenders.
The final stages of the match actually proved to be quite positive for the visitors. Most notably, a late free-kick from Jaidon Anthony was placed too close to the goalkeeper. However, that period could not yield Bournemouth a consolation goal.
Player of the match - Kai Havertz
A goal and an assist within the first half-hour was the highlight of what was an active performance from the focal point of Chelsea's attack.
Well supported by Mount and Sterling, who both also enjoyed impressive performances, the hosts' looked dangerous in attack and created the chances to get one or two more goals on the night.
Havertz will hope to continue to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the starting 11 and performances like this will go a long way towards him achieving that.
