Bournemouth and Chelsea came into the game on Sunday looking for vital three points after a difficult start to their Premier League campaigns.
Both sides had delivered good performances but were not getting results. However, they had reasons to come into the game confidently.
Chelsea piled on the early pressure. Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk combined before the Senegal international hit the outside of the post.
Raheem Sterling then dragged a shot wide after Conor Gallagher sent him through.
Bournemouth showed the danger they possessed as Dango Outtara forced an excellent save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez in a lively start.
Gallagher penetrated the Bournemouth box in the 32nd minute. He angled a shot, but Neto saved it to keep matters level going into the half-time break after an intriguing first half.
The Blues came into the second half guns blazing, and Sterling rattled the work with a beautifully curled free-kick.
The ball bounced off the line and away as Chelsea continued to struggle in front of goal. They came close again as Neto stopped Jackson’s shot on the line.
The Cherries began to show signs that they could win it, and Max Aarons flashed a dangerous cross across the Chelsea box.
Justin Kluivert had come on and looked electric. The Dutchman forced a promising free-kick and yellow card out of Axel Disasi.
Philip Billing’s effort crawled wide, while Dominic Solanke forced a terrific save from Sanchez.
Both sides had half chances to steal the points, but it ended in another poor result for Chelsea and a significant point taken for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Player Ratings
Bournemouth
Neto (8.5/10) (MOTM)- Made some good saves to keep his side in the game. Captained and led by example with his performance.
Max Aarons (7.5/10) – After struggling in the first few minutes against Mudryk, he shot down the Ukrainian and did a good number on Sterling.
Ilya Zabarnyi (7/10) – Held his own against Jackson and defended well against him. Forced him into uncomfortable positions.
Lloyd Kelly (7/10) – He covered well for Kerkez, who was getting toasted by Sterling and Gusto early on.
Milos Kerkez (5.5/10) – The Blues got a lot of joy down his flank as Sterling and Gusto combined to good effect. Didn’t get forward that much due to Chelsea’s pressure.
Ryan Christie (6.5/10) – Had a bright and sharp afternoon, consistently turning to make things happen.
Lewis Cook (6.5/10) – Struggled in the first half, with Enzo Fernandez and Lesley Ugochukwu squeezing the game from him. He caught life in the second half and was impressive.
Dango Ouattara (5.5/10) – It was a quiet showing from the former Lorient man as he could ultimately not affect the game enough for the Cherries.
Philip Billing (6/10) – Worked hard for his side, connecting midfield to attack, but couldn’t affect the game much.
Marcus Tavernier (5/10) – Another who ran himself into the ground for his team but didn’t get much out of his hard work.
Dominic Solanke (7/10) – Terrific showing from the Cobham Academy graduate as he ran himself into the ground. Held the ball up well and brought his teammates into the game.
Substitutes
Justin Kluivert (7/10)
Luis Sinisterra (5/10)
Marcus Senesi (5/10)
David Brooks (6/10)
Chelsea
Robert Sanchez (8/10) – He was bright and sharp, coming off his line quickly to smother a few chances. Took up good starting positions.
Malo Gusto (6/10) – Defensively solid but can do better in the final third.
Axel Disasi (5.5/10) – Good on the ball but is shaky defensively. Chelsea fans had their hearts in their mouths anytime he had to defend.
Thiago Silva (7.5/10) – Characteristically solid at the heart of Chelsea’s defence and did well in his duels.
Levi Colwill (7/10) – Did well at left-back, getting forward well in the second half. He had the ball in the back of the net after the Sterling free-kick, but he was offside.
Conor Gallagher (7/10) – Showed a good work rate as usual, motoring from box to box for his side, but his actions in the final third left a lot to be desired.
Enzo Fernandez (6/10) – Not up to his usual standard, as he pushed up the field and couldn’t affect things as usual from deep. Also looked lethargic.
Lesley Ugochukwu (8/10) – A terrific showing on his first Premier League start. Won the ball, carried and distributed it well. A bright spot on an otherwise gloomy day for the Blues.
Raheem Sterling (7/10) – He looked the likeliest to score, but it was not his day as he hit the bar, and the ball bounced off the goal line.
Nicolas Jackson (5/10) – Perhaps his sole bad performance in a Chelsea shirt. His usually good holdup play looked poor, and his shooting boots are still missing.
Mykhailo Mudryk (6/10) – Looked bright early on but disappeared into the game as Aarons locked him down.
Substitutes
Ben Chilwell (3/10)
Cole Palmer (6/10)
Ian Maatsen (6/10)
