Blues v Cherries by @JTaylorSport
Chelsea’s final game of the calendar year saw some festivities in the shape of an entertaining draw at Stamford Bridge. Yet there will be little seasonal fun for embattled Enzo Maresca, who left the stadium feeling unwell at the climax.
Naturally, the consequence of stalemate, disjointedly thrilling or not, will provide significantly more satisfaction for Bournemouth than it will for the Blues, who now have one win from their last seven Premier League games.
The first half goal glut was certainly something to savour in traditional end-to-end fashion, although it was disappointing from a Chelsea perspective that they conceded both Cherries’ goals from long Antoine Semenyo throw ins.
Bournemouth went ahead with a fifth minute intervention from David Brooks, before Chelsea responded with a penalty equaliser from Cole Palmer and a superb strike from Enzo Fernandez. Justin Kluivert prodded in to level.
Maresca’s side enjoyed the lion's share of possession after the break, but left frustrated by both their own profligacy and some seriously stout Cherries’ defensive work. The former Leicester City manager may be answering questions, amid what was certainly a fair outcome. Chelsea remain fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Liverpool.
Maresca at least can point to the impact of Estavao. The winger ran at flinty counterparts, causing havoc and linked up well with Palmer, who was – controversially – taken off the pitch by his manager once again.
His removal from the action in the 62nd minute was met with widespread disbelief from the stands. The England international, not unexpectedly, cut a morose figure.
"It was a poor start and we have to improve on that in the next couple of games", said Chelsea assistant boss Willy Caballero, who replaced Maresca on post-match media duties. "We created many chances but we need to improve on many set pieces".
If this proved to be a genuine test for Chelsea – which it most certainly was – then their next league outing, at title chasing Manchester City on 4 January, has a foreboding air to it.
However Bournemouth’s counter attacks were both bold and clinical.
Back in the dug out after a one-match ban, Maresca is set on a rotation of his Blues’ squad, and such faith in the youngest unit in the Premier League has not always been vindicated.
Ahead of the Cherries’ visit to west London, Chelsea had not won successive matches at Stamford Bridge - and had already lost three league games in SW6, as many as they did in the entirety of last term. This only adds to concerns over home form.
Bournemouth arrived on the back of eight games without a win, and their surprising, impressive, early zest was perhaps in view of the fact they had held Chelsea to a scoreless draw at the Vitality Stadium earlier this month.
For the visitors, it was a big night for Semenyo, their gilded creator-in-chief. The chance to star in a capital swansong ahead of a proposed £65m move to Manchester City when the January transfer window opens.
Chelsea distanced themselves from a deal to sign the winger a few weeks ago – and they were reminded of his influence.
Semenyo’s long throw-in found the Blues’ rearguard in difficulties, and the ball was eventually met with Brooks' powerful close up header. With Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez failing to hold the midfielder’s effort, Brooks followed up to force the ball home on the goal line.
A stunning warning for the hosts. Indeed, Chelsea responded in the best and most appropriate fashion, albeit in questionable circumstances.
Semenyo was at the thick end of things again, this time, he was judged – eventually – to have impeded Estevao's dangerous run into the Bournemouth box. Amid considerable delay, Palmer slotted the spot kick home to level in the 15th minute.
This was a contest which ebbed and flowed, and Bournemouth's approach left much to admire. Their openness probably contributed to Chelsea going in front only seven minutes later. It was a fine piece of technique for Blues fans to savour.
With no initial danger apparent, Alejandro Garnacho teed up Fernandez who took a step inside the penalty area, before lashing the ball with wonderful accuracy into the top right hand corner of the net.
That would have been enough to stun most teams, especially so early. Still, Bournemouth, showed the kind of resilience lacking at times over the last few weeks of ill fortune. Once again, Maresca will rue the lack of organisation at the heart of the defence from set piece play. It is such an obvious factor in how Chelsea set themselves up that the manager needs to solve it with haste.
Semenyo again. Another long throw towards danger in the 26th minute. Trevoh Chalobah could only nod the ball towards his own back post where Cherries’ forward Kluivert was lurking to touch the ball home. A simple, but so effective response from the south coast side.
Unsurprisingly, the second half could not live up to the event-filled, high tempo, opening period.
Maresca opted to make personnel changes, and it was a surprise initially to see Garnacho replaced by Pedro Neto, although the Blues’ chief may argue this was due to the sheer pace of an absorbing clash.
Howls of frustration from the home support greeted a wayward header from Liam Delap, the hit man instinctively realising he should have done better, not just for the vitality of Blues’ youth, but in Maresca’s own planning.
It was not, though, for the want of endeavour on Chelsea’s part. In Estavao, still only 18, it is clearly a mere £29m well spent. The Brazilian’s growth spurt helps channel the Blues, even when they collectively struggle at times to break down organised opponents.
Meanwhile, as Palmer trudged off, another Estavao incursion drew a good save from ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petrovic, who got down to his right to stop his low, powerful shot. "Everyone wants to see the best players on the pitch, but Cole has just had an injury so we have to manage our substitutions", added Caballero.
While organised at the back, the Cherries’ energy levels were dipping, and they provided much less incision in the latter stages. Estavao, seemingly unmoved by Palmer’s absence, was asking too many questions at the sharp end. To his credit, Bournemouth defender Alejandro Jimenez Sanchez did rather well to cope with Estevao's promptings, particularly as the game drifted.
Fernandez followed Delap with another big chance spurned – the Chelsea skipper blazed over the bar from a dozen yards out as the Londoners laboured to find a winner. In the end, a point was all it would be.
Nevertheless, Iraola was impressed with the spirit from his charges, who had to endure a late, if scruffy, siege. "I was very proud of our performance out there", said the Bournemouth chief. "We were better first half and I hope we can continue with this kind of performance this season".
A point earned and, psychologically, it was merited, sending Bournemouth towards comfortable mid-table territory at the half way point of the season.
Maresca can only wish for such soft landings.
**Blues:** Sanchez; Acheampong (James 46), Chalobah, Fofana, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao (Gittens 90-2), Palmer, Garnacho (Neto 46), Delap (Santos 86)