Chelsea are now on a run of five league games without a win after the disappointing draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Chelsea recorded a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, which means their top-flight struggles continue.
Cole Palmer’s brilliance put the hosts in front at Stamford Bridge in the first half. However, the Blues capitulated in the second period as the visitors turned the game on its head with goals from Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo.
Thankfully, club captain Reece James netted a stoppage time free-kick to salvage a point. James’ injury record at Chelsea is so poor, but it’s a timely reminder of what he can do when he’s on the pitch.
For Blues manager Enzo Maresca, he’s got to try find a way to fix this slump. Next, they host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.
Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth
Robert Sanchez – 5
In the opening 45 minutes, he was pretty much a passenger due to Chelsea’s dominance. However, the goalkeeper was very fortunate that his misplaced pass didn’t lead to a Bournemouth goal. Instead, Kluivert’s effort hit the post. In a very different second half, Kluivert made it 1-1 with his penalty kick. Semenyo then blasted the visitors in front by beating Sanchez at his near post with a rocket.
Moises Caicedo – 5
He returned to the role as the inverted right-back in midweek, which is a position he usually plays with relative comfort. Unfortunately, Caicedo gave away a penalty at the start of the second half when he clipped Semenyo in the box. He was back in midfield before coming off the pitch. It was a rare off-day for him this season.
Josh Acheampong – 5
Rewarded with back-to-back starts in the league, Acheampong will learn a lot from tonight’s game. He looks steady and reliable in possession, but he was skinned one-on-one by Semenyo for Bournemouth’s goal. It was brutal to see him hauled straight after.
Levi Colwill 6
He’s the leader in the heart of Chelsea’s defence and was aerially dominant. Unfortunately, it’s another defensive collapse from the side that he couldn’t help prevent.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Like always, Cucurella was up and down the pitch with bundles of energy. He was at the centre of a controversial moment when David Brooks was only shown a yellow card when he appeared to pull his hair.
Romeo Lavia – 6
For large spells, he was excellent on his return to the league XI by offering such a fantastic outlet at the base of midfield. He was guilty of losing possession in a key area in the build up to Bournemouth’s equaliser at 1-1, though. Hooked early in the second half as his minutes are looked after.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
He enjoyed the blanket of Lavia and Caicedo behind him, which allowed him to provide a significant attacking threat. Definitely one of Chelsea’s better players on a mixed night. He’s proving a lot of people wrong with his all-action displays this campaign.
Noni Madueke 6
He did show several moments of quality wing play, including in the first half when he was robbed of an assist after a wonderful dribble and pulled back cross. The competition between him and Pedro Neto for the right wing spot is fierce.
Cole Palmer – 8
It’s no surprise that Cole Palmer is the best player on the pitch in Chelsea colours. His 14th Premier League goal of the season was a thing of beauty, feinting to shoot to sit down the goalkeeper before finishing. He also produced some scintillating bits of skill throughout to excite the crowd, including a bullet cross that should’ve been tucked in by Nicolas Jackson.
Jadon Sancho – 6
It’s obvious that he’s playing with a confidence in his game right now that is shining through. He did inject directness and excitement with the ball at his feet, but was just missing the end product.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
It was the type of individual performance from Jackson versus Bournemouth that really sums him up. While he was magnificent to assist Palmer’s goal, he also missed glorious chances himself in front of goal, which looking back could’ve killed the contest in the first half. In particular, his headed chance from close range was saved before he put the rebound wide.
Substitutions
Reece James (Lavia 56) – 7
Tosin Adarabioyo (Acheampong 71) – 6
Pedro Neto (Madueke 81) – 6
Joao Felix (Caicedo 81) – 6
