Chelsea2 - 2Bournemouth

After suffering injury hell for the past few years, club captain Reece James was the man who stepped up to salvage a point for the home side in the fifth minute of injury time, direct from a free kick that caught Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers out.

Cole Palmer had initially put the Blues in front early on, showing supreme composure to beat Travers one-on-one, but despite a dominant first-half display, Enzo Maresca's side were punished for their profligacy.

Just five minutes into the second half, Justin Kluivert scored from the penalty spot to level the match, before Antoine Semenyo's stunning strike turned the game on its head, and sent the Cherries' faithful behind the goal they were attacking into rapture.

Chelsea were culpable of squandering numerous first-half chances which could have put the game beyond Bournemouth, with Nicolas Jackson especially failing to convert some gilt-edged opportunities.

The result keeps Chelsea in the top four for now, while Bournemouth remain just three points off the Champions League places after a 10th unbeaten game in succession across all competitions.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Despite the late equaliser, Chelsea will still not be pleased with the result and they will also feel aggrieved with the officiating on top of the many chances they spurned.

Had David Brooks been sent off for a neck-high challenge on Marc Cucurella with the scores level at 1-1, the game may have panned out very differently, but Maresca will know his side still had enough chances to win the game playing 11-versus-11.

The Chelsea boss was always adamant that they were not in the title race, and these five games without a win in the league have proven that, with the Blues now falling a long way off top spot.

Bournemouth have also shown that they should be considered in the race for the top four with yet another brave, fearless performance away to a club with resources that dwarf their own.

Andoni Iraola's men will be devastated at dropping two points in the dying embers, but they are certainly in the hunt for European football - a feat never before achieved by the club in their history.

CHELSEA VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS

Palmer goal vs. Bournemouth (13th min, Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth)

It is a piece of brilliance again from Palmer to take him to 20 goal involvements this season to give Maresca's men the lead here.

Fine play from Jackson sees the Senegalese striker thread Palmer through on goal, and faced one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Chelsea's talisman sits him down and picks his spot, giving the hosts an early advantage.

Kluivert penalty vs. Chelsea (50th min, Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth)

After all of their first half dominance, Chelsea have been pegged back at the bridge, and it was all of their own undoing.

Romeo Lavia has had his pocket picked by Kluivert on the halfway line, and with many rushing forward in red and black, Semenyo is fouled by a charging Moises Caicedo and Rob Jones points to the spot, giving the Dutchman the chance to level proceedings, and he takes it, sending the Chelsea keeper the wrong way.

Semenyo goal vs. Chelsea (68th min, Chelsea 1-2 Bournemouth)

Bournemouth's fairytale run continues! It is stunning strike from Semenyo, who took Josh Acheampong on, before unleashing an thunderous strike which catches Robert Sanchez out at his front post to give the visitors the lead at the Bridge.

James goal vs. Bournemouth (95th min, Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth)

It is a thrilling finale to a thrilling encounter at the Bridge, and there will not be many more popular goalscorers than this one! In his first league appearance since early November, substitute James has stepped up and beaten Travers direct from a free kick to salvage a point for the hosts with five minutes of injury time played.

MAN OF THE MATCH - MARK TRAVERS

Bournemouth have been a team that have impressed so often with their work in the final third and their high pressing, but it was their rearguard action that earned them a result this time around.

While Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen both played a starring role, goalkeeper Travers was the pivotal figure, keeping the hosts at bay numerous times in the first half to keep them in the match at 1-0, even if there were some questions around him for the Chelsea equaliser.

CHELSEA VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS

Possession: Chelsea 57%-43% Bournemouth

Shots: Chelsea 26-7 Bournemouth

Shots on target: Chelsea 10-3 Bournemouth

Corners: Chelsea 9-3 Bournemouth

Fouls: Chelsea 15-16 Bournemouth

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Chelsea will seek to end their lengthy winless run in the league when they welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge next Monday, while Bournemouth head to St James' Park to face one of their direct rivals for European qualification in Newcastle United in Saturday's early fixture.

Written by

Andrew Delaney