Chelsea were very disappointing as they drew 0-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday to drop more points in the title race.
WATCH — Full match replay
Enzo Maresca’s side followed up their midweek defeat at Leeds with another lackluster display on the road as Alejandro Garnacho hit the post in an improved second half but that was as close as they came. Bournemouth had the better chances, especially in the first half, but couldn’t break through as Andoni Iraola’s side dug deep for a point.
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With the point Chelsea are on 25 for the season, eight points behind leaders Arsenal, as they couldn’t make the most of Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa earlier on Saturday. Bournemouth are on 20 points but are without a win in their last six games.
Chelsea struggling for creativity as focus switches to Cole Palmer
It seems pretty bonkers to say this, but Chelsea are really lacking attacking creativity and flair at the moment. They’ve scored just twice during their last three games and even though they have so many wonderful attacking players, Maresca is chopping and changing them so often that a real lack of fluidity and cohesion has developed. Cole Palmer made his first Premier League start since September 20 and was understandably rusty as he lasted an hour. Chelsea need Palmer to pick them up over the next few weeks and get them going in attack again if they’re going to kick on over the festive period and be in the title race this season. It’s all about getting the right players around Palmer and getting Joao Pedro, Estevao and Pedro Neto buzzing around alongside him seems like the best option.
What’s next?
Bournemouth are next in action when they head to Manchester United on Monday, December 15. Chelsea head to Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, then host Everton on Saturday.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea score: 0-0
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Semenyo denied by Sanchez
Lovely direct play from Semenyo down the right and he powers a shot towards the near post which Sanchez beats away. My word Semenyo got hold of that.
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Estevao is on for Garnacho
Chelsea bring on their teenage Brazilian winger to try and win them the game late on, once again.
Garnacho whips a shot just wide of the far post
The Argentine winger cuts inside and drills a low shot which dips and flies just wide. Chelsea have been the more adventurous side for most of the second half.
20 minutes to go and Chelsea trying to gain some momentum
Guiu has had a shot fly over the bar from inside the box as Chelsea try to pin Bournemouth in. The Cherries have looked dangerous on the counter a few times. This is such a tough game to call as we enter the final 20 minutes.
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Joao Pedro on for Cole Palmer
Palmer has lasted just under an hour on his first since late September. He looked a little off it given his usual standards, but that is to be expected. Joao Pedro is on his place and will play in that No. 10 role.
Garnacho hits the post, then Fernandez denied
So much better from Chelsea. A cross from the right finds Garnacho at the back stick and his header with the back of his head hits the outside of the post. That is as close as Chelsea have come, as Fernandez then turns and has a pop but Petrovic saves. Chelsea have finally woken up.
Petrovic denies Neto
That is the first save Bournemouth’s goalkeeper has had to make, and it comes in the 49th minute. Pedro Neto cuts inside from the right and drills a low shot towards the bottom corner but Petrovic pushes it away.
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Tavernier drags his shot wide
A lovely Bournemouth break, again, and Tavernier is set up by Semenyo but drags his shot wide from a great position. The ball was bobbling so that made the chance more difficult. Still, bright start to the second half from the Cherries.
Half time: Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
Bournemouth have had the better chances and Chelsea really haven’t got going in that first half. Cole Palmer is shaking off the rust, while the Blues have lost Liam Delap to injury. Plenty of work for Enzo Maresca to do in that locker room at half time.
Sanchez denies Scott, then Semenyo
Bournemouth win the ball back in a great area and Alex Scott surges into the box. His powerful shot is saved well by Robert Sanchez and Chelsea scramble clear. Bournemouth have been the more dangerous side. Right on half time Semenyo has a low shot which Sanchez pushes away.
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Evanilson somehow directs it off target!
Lovely move from Bournemouth and Semenyo fires a shot across goal which Robert Sanchez gets a touch on, but the ball flies to the back post where Evanilson is sliding in. But somehow the Brazilian directs the shot off target. Huge chance for Bournemouth and to be fair to Evanilson, that ball was absolutely fired across.
Liam Delap forced off through injury — Latest details, here
Such a shame to see Delap forced off, as he went down after tussling with Senesi and has his right arm in a makeshift sling. Marc Guiu is on in his place.
Cucurella heads over
Lovely Chelsea counter as Cole Palmer dances past Alex Scott, and the ball is worked to Pedro Neto on the right. His cross to the back post finds the onrushing Marc Cucurella but he can’t keep his header down. Much better last few five minutes or so from Chelsea. They’ve settled down.
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Palmer knocks the ball out of play
Huge cheers from the Bournemouth fans as Cole Palmer leads a Chelsea counter but he massively overhits his pass to Pedro Neto and it goes out for a goal kick. He’s just shaking the rust off. Liam Delap is causing some problems with his direct running.
Bournemouth thought they had a penalty kick
Tavernier’s shot from the edge of the box is parried away by Sanchez and Kluivert is trying to get on the loose ball. But he’s nudged off it by James and goes down in the box. Bournemouth fans want a penalty kick but the offside flag goes up. It’s all Bournemouth.
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Semenyo taps home… but VAR rules it out for offside
A ball is played in to Evanilson and Chalobah blocks his shot. The ball drops to Semenyo and he taps home to send the home fans wild, but VAR is checking for offside. Evanilson was clearly offside on the initial chance. The goal is ruled out.
All eyes on Palmer as he starts once again
We are off and underway on the south coast of England and everyone will be looking at how Cole Palmer fares, as the Chelsea superstar starts a league game for the first time since September 20.
Bournemouth lineup
Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Jimenez, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
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Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
Bournemouth team news, focus
Antoine Semenyo continues to be Bournemouth’s main spark in attack but his future remains uncertain given reports over a release clause being active in January. Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams are out suspended but David Brooks and Marcos Senesi are back from suspension. Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak remain out injured. Iraola may look to start Enes Unal in this one with Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson also pushing to come back in to the starting lineup.
Chelsea team news, focus
Cole Palmer made his eagerly anticipated return from injury at Leeds in midweek (he should have scored) and he should start this game. Enzo Maresca is rotating his lineup a lot and the likes of Liam Delap, Estevao and Jamie Gittens struggled at Leeds in midweek so Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho should start out wide with Reece James and Malo Gusto coming back in after being rested. Romeo Lavia remains out injured, while Moises Caicedo is still suspended so James should start in central midfield.
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Bournemouth vs Chelsea preview
Enzo Maresca’s side were well off the pace on Wednesday as they lost 3-1 at Leeds United as they slipped nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The performance was a real surprise given Chelsea’s recent displays, especially as they had drawn with Arsenal a few days earlier and could’ve easily won despite being down a player for over half the game.
Bournemouth have lost four of their last five and are winless in that run, as Andoni Iraola’s side lost 1-0 at home to Everton in midweek. The Cherries are staying in most games but are making defensive mistakes at one end and not being clinical enough at the other end. Not a great combo.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like Chelsea will get back on track in a big way and prove that their midweek slip up at Leeds was a blip. Bournemouth 1-3 Chelsea.
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How to watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (December 6)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth, Dorset
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
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