Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: the Blues’ bad series continues

Chelsea‘s Premier League winless run extended to three matches as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Bournemouth.

The Blues welcomed the Cherries to west London after following a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United with a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.

Having surrendered a lead in the latter match, Chelsea looked set to complete their own turnaround after Cole Palmer’s penalty and a superb strike from Enzo Fernandez put them 2-1 ahead after David Brooks had given Bournemouth an early lead.

Yet Chelsea’s defensive frailties surfaced again in the 27th minute, with Justin Kluivert converting from close range to restore parity which was subsequently preserved despite both sides having chances to win.

Chelsea have now won just one of their last seven league matches, while it’s one win in 10 for Bournemouth, who look set to lose star man Antoine Semenyo, with the striker expected to join Manchester City when the January transfer window opens.

The Blues are two points outside the top foura gap which could widen when Liverpool host Wolves on New Year’s Day. Bournemouth are nine points above the bottom three.

Chelsea’s response after Brooks’ opener

Brooks stunned Stamford Bridge as he showed strong reactions to nod home at the second attempt after his initial effort was palmed away by Robert Sanchez following a long throw.

Yet Bournemouth’s joy was fleeting and, after a VAR check, Semenyo, seemingly heading off, was deemed to have fouled Estevao on the right side of the penalty area, and Palmer made no mistake with a composed kick into the bottom left corner.

The Cherries were undeterred and found encouragement from an accommodating Chelsea defence, with a fierce attack from Brooks pushed back by Sanchez.

But the visitors were punished for failing to take the chance, as Fernandez took his opportunity in style, collecting on the edge of the box after a layoff from Alejandro Garnacho and curling an exceptional strike into the top right corner.

The Blues survive a late scare

Four minutes later Bournemouth were level. The long throw once again proved their undoing, as Trevor Chalobah inadvertently sent the ball to Kluivert, who gratefully converted the simplest of chances.

Álex Jiménez blasted over the bar wasting a great chance to make it 3-2, but it was Chelsea who dominated thereafter, with the excellent Estevao leading the way.

Largely frustrated in the first half, the Brazilian was twice denied by Djordje Petrovic in the second, while the Bournemouth goalkeeper also had to prevent Wesley Fofana from scoring a corner at the near post.

Fernandez shot as he missed a chance for his second, but the best opening to settle the contest was presented to Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal, and only the imprecision of his volley from Adrien Truffert’s cross prevented it being an even more damaging evening for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.