Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Blues suffer 3-game winless run, Palmer and Enzo score

There were four goals in the opening half-hour at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea and Bournemouth drew 2-2 to leave Enzo Maresca’s side on one Premier League win in seven, though the visitors’ winless league run has now reached double figures.

Match Report

Bournemouth had only taken three away points since August, yet they were ahead just six minutes in tonight, when a long throw was flicked on to David Brooks.

Robert Sanchez could only bat Brooks’ header straight back to him, allowing the Welshman to bundle the rebound over the line.

However, the Cherries’ lead was cancelled out at the 15-minute mark. Estevao went down in the area following an Antoine Semenyo challenge, and Chelsea were awarded a penalty following VAR intervention.

Former Blues goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic guessed right, but Cole Palmer’s strike was perfectly placed.

A firm Sanchez hand denied Brooks a second soon after as the end-to-end nature continued, before Chelsea put themselves ahead midway through the first half.

Enzo Fernandez worked the ball into the area by playing a one-two with Alejandro Garnacho, before coolly evading Bournemouth challenges and rifling it into the top corner.

However, this time it was the hosts’ lead that wouldn’t last, as Andoni Iraola’s men again caused havoc in the penalty area, forcing Trevor Chalobah to inadvertently set up Justin Kluivert for a simple tap-in and the fourth goal of a crazy first 27 minutes.

Liam Delap, Alex Jimenez and Semenyo all had further chances, but there would be no further additions to the scoresheet before half-time.By comparison, though, the early second-half minutes were sedate, as neither side produced an effort on goal until Petrovic was forced to tip an Estevao strike around the post in the 64th minute.

The Brazilian teenager continued to look the most likely difference maker, dancing his way through the Bournemouth defence with 20 minutes to play before cutting the ball back for Delap, whose effort was deflected out.Chelsea continued to press, but when a loose ball fell to Fernandez inside the box, he failed to replicate the accuracy he displayed before the break.

In the end, Bournemouth held out for a point and avoided conceding three for the seventh away match in succession, while Chelsea have now dropped 13 points from winning positions this season.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

7' GOAL! Brooks' early goal puts visitors in lead! Chelsea 0-1 Bournemout

15' GOAL! Palmer makes no mistake and scores the penalty! Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth

18' Brooks places a shot towards the middle of the goal, but it is saved

21' Delap sends a cross and finds Garnacho but his effort is cleared by the defender

23' GOAL! Enzo puts Blues in lead as Garnacho assists! Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

28' GOAL! Kluivert puts the ball into the back of the net! Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth

46' Acheampong and Garnacho will be replaced by Reece James and Neto

48' Semenyo takes a mid-range shot, but it goes way over the bar

55' Bournemouth appeal for a hand-ball in the box but the ref takes no action

57' Delap sends a header high over the bar from the centre of the box

63' Joao Pedro is on for Cole Palmer

64' Estêvão unleashes a shot towards the left corner, but Petrovic makes a fine save

79' A rebound falls to Enzo inside the box, but his shot flies over the bar

88' Liam Delap leaves the pitch and Andrey Santos comes on as a substitute

90'+2' Unal strikes from inside the box but it goes narrowly over the crossbar

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sánchez, Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto, Garnacho, Liam Delap, Josh Acheampong, Estêvão

Subs: Adarabioyo, Reece James, Pedro Neto, Badiashile, Jørgensen, João Pedro, Gittens, Andrey Santos, Facundo Buonanotte

Bournemouth XI: Brooks, Marcus Tavernier, Kluivert, Marcos Senesi, Djordje Petrovic, Evanilson, Antoine Semenyo, James Hill, Adrien Truffert, Alex Scott, Jimenez

Subs: Smith, E.Ünal, Bafodé Diakité, Julián Araujo, Adli, Will Dennis, Eli Kroupi, Julio Soler, Remy Rees-Dottin