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Chelsea dropped points on the road for the fourth straight Premier League game as they drew 2-2 at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Marcos Alonso opened the scoring on the south coast when he mopped up a loose ball and fired home in the 33rd minute, but two goals in three minutes early in the second half from Jefferson Lerma and Josh King put Bournemouth on course for a famous win. However, Alonso had the final say when he again reacted first to head an equaliser into the back of the net in the 85th minute.
Positives
Frank Lampard will have been extremely pleased with how well his side controlled the game in the first half, with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic overcoming an energetic start from the Cherries to dictate the flow of the match. Alonso’s two goals were also a bright spot.
Negatives
A feeble surrender of their half-time lead after a totally dominant opening 45 minutes. Frailty at set pieces reared its ugly head once again, as Chelsea extended their poor defensive form to just two clean sheets from their last 23 Premier League away games.
Manager rating out of 10
6 – Lampard has had more than enough time to improve his side’s defensive fragility, and teams have begun to catch on to a clear softness in that area from the Blues.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Willy Caballero, 6 — The Argentine made a couple of decent saves to deny the hosts in the opening quarter of an hour, but questions may be asked after he got two hands to a Lerma header he ultimately failed to keep out.
DF Marcos Alonso, 7 — In the right place at the right time on two occasions to put the ball the ball away, but should have hit the target at the death when he headed wide in injury time. However, Bournemouth had plenty of joy down the Spaniard’s flank.
DF Fikayo Tomori, 5 — Indecisiveness in possession gifted Philip Billing a huge chance early on after he was robbed of the ball inside his own penalty area, and the 22-year-old looked extremely nervy on his return to the side following a spell away from the team. Replaced in the 64th minute by Willian.
DF Andreas Christensen, 6 — As the most central of Chelsea’s defensive three, the Dane had plenty of protection around him, but could have done more to put off Lerma in the air for the leveller. Yellow-carded for bringing down Callum Wilson as the Bournemouth striker looked to break away.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 — The right-sided centre-back looked as steady as always defensively and almost got on the end of Alonso’s glancing header to put Chelsea two ahead, but good defending prevented him from nodding home.
DF Reece James, 6 — Like Alonso, the wing-back saw plenty of the ball in the final third and, while his final ball wasn’t particularly consistent, a great delivery into the box led to the opener.
MF Jorginho, 6 — A calming presence in the first half as Chelsea slowly but surely got a grip on the game, but a 10th yellow card of the season means he will sit out the next two matches through suspension. Played his part in the opener when he released James into space out wide, before being withdrawn in the 64th minute for Ross Barkley.
MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 — Helped Chelsea get some much-needed control in midfield after a sluggish start from his side, but was well beaten in the air by Lerma as the Colombian powerfully headed home the equaliser.
MF Mason Mount, 7 — Nearly caught out Aaron Ramsdale in the Bournemouth goal with a dipping, bouncing first-half volley, and the England international looked in the mood with a performance that was buzzing with energy and effective movement off the ball.
MF Pedro, 6 — Complemented Mount and Giroud nicely as he picked up pockets of space in between the lines, and his shot forced a Ramsdale save that presented the ball to Alonso to nod home Chelsea’s late equaliser.
ST Olivier Giroud, 6 — Willing to drop deep to knit play together, and a poked volley against the bar was gobbled up by Alonso to put Chelsea 1-0 up. Should have found the net himself when he scuffed the ball wide from eight yards out early in the second half, but a decent display nonetheless. Replaced for the final 19 minutes by Michy Batshuayi.
Substitutes
FW Willian, 6 — Unable to carve out a gilt-edged chance in his near half-hour cameo.
MF Ross Barkley, 6 — Had a couple of shooting opportunities from the edge of the box, but he was unable to test the keeper.
ST Michy Batshuayi, N/A — Fired home almost immediately after coming on, but the Belgian was a couple of yards offside.