Chelsea's winless run in the Premier League has been extended to five matches after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge this evening.
After suffering injury hell for the past few years, club captain Reece James was the man who stepped up to salvage a point for the home side in the fifth minute of injury time, direct from a free kick that caught Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers out.
Cole Palmer had initially put the Blues in front early on, showing supreme composure to beat Travers one-on-one, but despite a dominant first-half display, Enzo Maresca's side were punished for their profligacy.
Just five minutes into the second half, Justin Kluivert scored from the penalty spot to level the match, before Antoine Semenyo's stunning strike turned the game on its head, and sent the Cherries' faithful behind the goal they were attacking into rapture.
Chelsea were culpable of squandering numerous first-half chances which could have put the game beyond Bournemouth, with Nicolas Jackson especially failing to convert some gilt-edged opportunities.
The result keeps Chelsea in the top four for now, while Bournemouth remain just three points off the Champions League places after a 10th unbeaten game in succession across all competitions.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Despite the late equaliser, Chelsea will still not be pleased with the result and they will also feel aggrieved with the officiating on top of the many chances they spurned.
Had David Brooks been sent off for a neck-high challenge on Marc Cucurella with the scores level at 1-1, the game may have panned out very differently, but Maresca will know his side still had enough chances to win the game playing 11-versus-11.
The Chelsea boss was always adamant that they were not in the title race, and these five games without a win in the league have proven that, with the Blues now falling a long way off top spot.
Bournemouth have also shown that they should be considered in the race for the top four with yet another brave, fearless performance away to a club with resources that dwarf their own.
Andoni Iraola's men will be devastated at dropping two points in the dying embers, but they are certainly in the hunt for European football - a feat never before achieved by the club in their history.
CHELSEA VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
Palmer goal vs. Bournemouth (13th min, Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth)
Chelsea's star man Cole Palmer opens the scoring for the Blues 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
That's 20 Premier League goal involvements for the 22-year-old 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2bPGJCP5Bs
It is a piece of brilliance again from Palmer to take him to 20 goal involvements this season to give Maresca's men the lead here.
Fine play from Jackson sees the Senegalese striker thread Palmer through on goal, and faced one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Chelsea's talisman sits him down and picks his spot, giving the hosts an early advantage.
Kluivert penalty vs. Chelsea (50th min, Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth)
Justin Kluivert equalises from 12 yards for Bournemouth against Chelsea 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/tqpccdujak
After all of their first half dominance, Chelsea have been pegged back at the bridge, and it was all of their own undoing.
Romeo Lavia has had his pocket picked by Kluivert on the halfway line, and with many rushing forward in red and black, Semenyo is fouled by a charging Moises Caicedo and Rob Jones points to the spot, giving the Dutchman the chance to level proceedings, and he takes it, sending the Chelsea keeper the wrong way.
Semenyo goal vs. Chelsea (68th min, Chelsea 1-2 Bournemouth)
WHAT A STRIKE 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
Antoine Semenyo brilliantly gives Bournemouth the lead over Chelsea 🙌
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dMgSPyGisI
Bournemouth's fairytale run continues! It is stunning strike from Semenyo, who took Josh Acheampong on, before unleashing an thunderous strike which catches Robert Sanchez out at his front post to give the visitors the lead at the Bridge.
James goal vs. Bournemouth (95th min, Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth)
Chelsea's captain gets a HUGE goal for his club 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 14, 2025
Reece James marks his Premier League return with a late free kick goal 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jgTb8kPs57
It is a thrilling finale to a thrilling encounter at the Bridge, and there will not be many more popular goalscorers than this one! In his first league appearance since early November, substitute James has stepped up and beaten Travers direct from a free kick to salvage a point for the hosts with five minutes of injury time played.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARK TRAVERS
© Imago
Bournemouth have been a team that have impressed so often with their work in the final third and their high pressing, but it was their rearguard action that earned them a result this time around.
While Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen both played a starring role, goalkeeper Travers was the pivotal figure, keeping the hosts at bay numerous times in the first half to keep them in the match at 1-0, even if there were some questions around him for the Chelsea equaliser.
CHELSEA VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 57%-43% Bournemouth
Shots: Chelsea 26-7 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Chelsea 10-3 Bournemouth
Corners: Chelsea 9-3 Bournemouth
Fouls: Chelsea 15-16 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
Bournemouth have won 7 penalties in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 14, 2025
Chelsea have conceded 6 penalties in the Premier League this season, no team has conceded more.
Another goal from the spot for Justin Kluivert. ⚽️#CHEBOU
Cole Palmer has now been directly involved in 20 Premier League goals this season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 14, 2025
◎ 21 games
◉ 14 goals
◉ 6 assists
Ice cold in front of goal. 🧊 pic.twitter.com/sBCodX2J1r
Cole Palmer is the first Chelsea player to be directly involved in 20+ goals in back-to-back Premier League campaigns since Eden Hazard in his first three seasons at the club (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15). 🧊 pic.twitter.com/3cE7cxJVb9
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 14, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea will seek to end their lengthy winless run in the league when they welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge next Monday, while Bournemouth head to St James' Park to face one of their direct rivals for European qualification in Newcastle United in Saturday's early fixture.
Andrew Delaney
