Chelsea poor again in draw at Bournemouth
Bournemouth 0
Chelsea 0
Chelsea failed to impress in a stuttering draw with struggling Bournemouth.
A limp first-half performance failed to produce an attempt on target for Enzo Maresca’s side, who have now gone three games without a Premier League win.
Cole Palmer’s first start since September brought some reason for cheer, but – despite an improved second half – Chelsea rarely threatened.
Alejandro Garnacho did hit the bar with a header and the visitors finished the stronger but could not find the breakthrough.
Hopes of a fast start to erase the memory of a dismal display in the 3-1 midweek defeat against Leeds United soon disappeared.
Despite making six changes and recalling Palmer for his first start since September – and key men Pedro Neto, Wesley Fofana and Reece James – Chelsea were once again second best in a first half that saw keeper Robert Sanchez make a couple of decent saves and the home side waste several excellent opportunities.
Maresca’s men lacked intent and tempo, were wayward in their passing, and were particularly fortunate not to be punished inside ten minutes when Evanilson crept fractionally offside in the build-up to Antoine Semenyo shooting home.
The Blues briefly showed signs of settling into a frantic game, with Liam Delap, who was preferred up front to Joao Pedro, the main threat. The striker made several decent runs and played with typical aggression, while Palmer, although clearly lacking sharpness, showed flashes of his quality.
Marc Cucurella also headed an effort over but Chelsea still hadn’t mustered an attempt on target when Delap’s afternoon ended on the half hour mark following an awkward landing on his shoulder.
An improved Chelsea finally began to show a serious goal threat after the break, Garnacho heading an effort against the outside of the post from Neto cross. Palmer testing Bournemouth’s former Blues keeper Djordje Petrovic with a low strike and Marc Guiu blasting a close-range effort over the bar.
Sanchez did have to beat away a fierce Semenyo strike, but neither side created anything noteworthy in the final stages.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer (Joao Pedro, 58), Garnacho (Estavao, 77); Delap (Guiu, 31).
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Hato, Santos, Gittens.
