Chelsea have been held to a scoreless draw by Bournemouth in what can be chalked down as another frustrating away trip.
It was an awkward afternoon at the Vitality Stadium for Chelsea.
With Arsenal suffering defeat in the early kickoff, the Blues had the chance to make up for three dropped points at Leeds.
You wouldn’t have known it from the first-half performance. Chelsea were lethargic and toothless. They were lucky to enter the break at 0-0.
Whatever Maresca said at half-time had some effect, as Chelsea came out for the second half with more intent. But nothing would separate the sides. Iraola set up his team brilliantly to hold the visitors off in what was another frustrating Premier League afternoon.
Enzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola during Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Chelsea player ratings
Robert Sanchez – 8
Chelsea will have been licking their lips at the prospect of facing their old teammate, Djordje Petrovic. But it was Sanchez who was by far the busier of the two. Two brilliant saves late in the first half saved the game from having a very different complexion going into the break.
Malo Gusto – 7
Gusto had the difficult task of going up against Antoine Semenyo, but he held his own. Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert was also given license to attack.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Wesley Fofana playing for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
If Chelsea had entered this game with the same back line as Leeds, it might have been over by half-time.
Fofana’s return was welcome, and while Chelsea didn’t play well, a clean sheet means no complaints for the back line.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Similarly, Chalobah kept a clean sheet. He was a bit less secure on the ball than his French partner, though.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Cucurella had one headed chance early on, but was a non-factor after that. Defensively solid.
Reece James – 6
Maresca once again called on the captain to play the Moises Caicedo role. James enjoys playing in the Chelsea midfield, and was reliable as ever.
He did have to sacrifice his own game at times to cover for his left-back’s box-crashing runs. Not the same dominance we have seen in recent weeks.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Enzo was uncharacteristically quiet against Bournemouth. The Cherries won the midfield battle.
Pedro Neto – 6
While he came into the game on scorching hot form, Neto’s decision-making against Bournemouth let him down.
Cole Palmer – 4
Maresca decided to start Palmer against Bournemouth, and Chelsea fans everywhere rejoiced. It’s over two months since he last made the starting lineup, and you could tell from watching him for 60 minutes.
Did Cole Palmer look a bit rusty?
Cole Palmer playing for Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s stats vs Bournemouth Total
Minutes 58
xG 0.08
Key passes 1
Accurate passes 26/38 (68%)
Crosses (accurate) 1 (0)
Total shots 1
Touches 49
Dribbles (successful) 3 (2)
Via Sofascore
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It wasn’t the classic Palmer performance we have so-missed lately. Hopefully, it’s just rust, but if this is his level for now, Maresca may have to rethink some things.
Palmer’s return was supposed to be what takes this side over the top, but if he can’t find his usual levels from the off, it’s bad news for the Blues.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
In a mostly flat Chelsea performance, Garnacho’s energy levels never dropped. He hit the post early in the second half, but couldn’t get much else going.
Still, he looked the most frustrated with the lacklustre display from his team — no attitude problems since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Delap – 6
Delap looked up for this game from the whistle. There were a few early jabs with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, suggesting a tense battle was in store.
Unfortunately, we were deprived of that as the Chelsea striker was forced off after half an hour.
Delap goes off with an early injury…
Did Maresca make the right call bringing on Marc Guiu? 🤔
Liam Delap goes of injured during Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Substitutions
Marc Guiu – 5
In what was a surprise to most watching, Guiu was the one Maresca called upon to replace Delap. Perhaps his heart was set on that classic nine profile, but Joao Pedro is sure to be disappointed.
The Spaniard picked up where his injured teammate left off, letting Senesi know he was there as soon as he stepped on the pitch. After that, he rarely threatened.
Joao Pedro – 6
Pedro might have been overlooked for the early substitution, but he would make his entrance on the hour mark in place of Palmer. He was alright, but didn’t move the needle.
Estevao Willian – 5
Maresca hinted that Estevao would be on the bench against Bournemouth, and he had to wait until the 77th minute to get a run. He did nothing of note.
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