Chelsea FC still can’t get going. The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by the Cherries from Bournemouth, with both teams likely to be frustrated with the result.
Caicedo was missing with an injury, Mudryk started again – it was good for the Blues’ attacking play for the time being. Chelsea were challenged in Bournemouth, but were also well in it from the start. Fernandez (2nd) and Gallagher (3rd) were introduced early in the heavy rain, but it was not enough for goals.
Jackson and Sterling unlucky
This was the problem of a CFC that combined well at times: taking their chances. Sterling opted for a harmless cross from a promising position (11th), later he shot at Kelly from five metres (23rd), Gallagher tried it too centrally (33rd). Jackson was unlucky to hit the post from 20 metres (13). The lead would have been deserved.
But because Chelsea were not cold-blooded up front and also allowed something as the game progressed, the goal could also have come from the other side. After a quickly taken free-kick, Ouattara failed to clear Sanchez, who reacted well – the goalkeeper prevented the Blues from falling behind (18th). Not only once.
After the restart, the Londoners again lacked fortune. Sterling’s free-kick bounced out of the cross-corner onto the line, Colwill dusted off from offside (50th). A little later, the left-back poked unsuccessfully at a Jackson cross (65). The impression was growing that the visitors would not be able to score.
Blues miss late treble
In the aftermath, the Cherries again joined in the flurry of chances. Billings’ free-kick was deflected for a corner by Gallagher (78th), before Sanchez saved from Solanke moments later (80th). However, the visitors still had the better chances. Jackson (83rd) and Palmer (85th) could not overcome Neto, however, and the score remained goalless.
Neither side can be really satisfied with the draw. Not only did they have a chance to win, but the CFC and the AFC are still stuck in the lower midfield and are now 14th and 15th in the table. The schedules are also the same. Next Sunday at 3pm, Bournemouth travel to Brighton while Chelsea FC host Aston Villa.
