Bournemouth and Chelsea were unable to find a goal between them at the Vitality Stadium
Cole Palmer’s return from injury failed to inspire Chelsea To win in Bournemouth This afternoon.
The England international made his first Premier League start since September 20, but remained largely on the sidelines of a disappointing encounter.
Both teams had chances, with Bournemouth seeing Antoine Semenyu’s early effort ruled out for offside, while Alejandro Garnacho’s header bounced off the post in the second half.
Semenyu was rejected by VAR
Chelsea rode their luck in the early stages and could have easily been behind within six minutes. Alex Scott sent a pass to the feet of Evanilson, and although the striker failed to take the ball in his stride, it bounced well for Semenyu to fire home. But the home fans’ celebrations ended after the VAR ruled that Evanilson was offside.
Bournemouth were a much greater attacking threat and Alex Jimenez was next to try his luck with two efforts, the first a save and the second going wide of the post.
Palmer was a marginal figure in the first 20 minutes, but burst into life midway through the first half, getting past Scott before sending a cross to Pedro Neto, who headed home Mark Cucurella.
Liam Delap saw a shot blocked by defender Marcos Sensi before the former Ipswich striker was forced off with what appeared to be a shoulder injury.
Both teams had opportunities to open the scoring before the end of the first half. Evanilson should have scored after Robert Sanchez miscued Semenho’s cross, while at the other end, Delap’s substitute Marc Guyot stumbled when Malo Giusto sent a cross his way.
Sanchez atoned for his previous mistake at the end of the first half, as he came down intelligently to deny Scott the goal.
Jarnacho is approaching Chelsea
Bournemouth remained in front after the restart, as Marcus Tavernier fired a shot long range.
Neto once again proved to be Chelsea’s most dangerous player and it was his cross that found Jarnacho whose header hit the post.
Palmer’s return took 59 minutes before he was replaced by Joao Pedro. Pedro played just behind Goyo and the former Barcelona striker should have done better again after 67 minutes when he curled over the crossbar when it was well placed.
It was the visitors’ last real opening as their threat faded.
Bournemouth weren’t much better, with Sanchez blocking Semenyu’s shot as best they could.
Chelsea remained in fourth place, while Bournemouth rose to 13th place.
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2025-12-06 17:19:00
