Chelsea finish the month of December with just one Premier League win after dropping points to Bournemouth again.
It’s fair to say this iteration of Chelsea vs Bournemouth will not have disappointed the neutral.
The reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium was a dull affair — this was anything but.
Bournemouth opened the scoring after six minutes from a long throw. A Cole Palmer penalty levelled things up, before Enzo Fernandez fired the Blues in front with an absolute peach of a goal.
Justin Kluivert would bring it back to 2-2 from another long throw before the half-hour mark, and that would be the end of the first-half frenzy.
The second half was more reminiscent of the other Bournemouth game earlier this month. Chances for both sides, but no goals. Another disappointing result to cap off an admittedly woeful December.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Bournemouth?
Or did we miss anyone? Let us know!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth
Robert Sanchez – 6
Neither goal was Sanchez’s fault, though he maybe could have done better to clear the ball for the opener.
Josh Acheampong – 6
It was great to see Acheampong back in the starting lineup, deployed on both sides of the defence and managing okay. He was taken off at the break, suggesting Enzo Maresca wasn’t totally pleased.
Wesley Fofana – 5
No glaring errors from Fofana but not the best performance.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5
Not the Englishman’s best display. He was bullied off the ball too often and didn’t cover himself in glory assisting Kluivert’s goal.
Malo Gusto – 5
Gusto was asked to play on both flanks and he got stuck into challenges, but some sloppy play in possession.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
A brilliant finish from the man wearing the armband, leaving Djordje Petrovic rooted to the spot on his Stamford Bridge return.
Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho celebrate Chelsea goal
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo – 4
You could say Caicedo was lucky to make it to the end of this game after a couple of nail-biting tackles threatened to end the already-booked midfielder’s evening.
He looked lonely in the middle of the park at times, kept busy by Bournemouth’s aggressive press. By his standards, not a good display.
Estevao Willian – 8
Estevao was Chelsea’s biggest threat in the first half, winning a penalty after a winding run through the Bournemouth defence. We got to see him out on the left wing in the second half, where he was just as tantalising.
How good has this guy been tonight?
Estevao Willian vs Bournemouth
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
What is Chelsea’s best wing pairing right now?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Cole Palmer – 7
Palmer’s form for Chelsea has been cause for concern, but when he stepped up to take the spot kick won by Estevao, there was little doubt about the outcome. He was involved in everything up until his withdrawal shortly after the hour mark.
Cole Palmer for Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Garnacho was hooked at the break, but he had a decent 45 minutes. The Argentinian created three chances, one of which was an assist for Enzo.
Liam Delap – 6
Delap wasn’t heavily involved in the first half, but he did well to hold up play. A few chances fell his way but he still hasn’t shown the end product.
Substitutes
Reece James – 6
James has gone the whole of 2025 without injury — a massive feat and a huge boost for the Blues. He was introduced at half time
Pedro Neto – 6
Neto was a constant threat from the moment he came on with James. Always looking to create something.
Joao Pedro – 6
It wasn’t the introduction Pedro would have wanted, greeted by boos from the home fans. That wasn’t the Brazilian’s fault — it was the fact that he was replacing Palmer earlier than many would have liked.
He was involved plenty, but couldn’t find the chance to make it three games in a row with a goal.
Andrey Santos – N/A
Jamie Gittens – N/A
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox