Chelsea failed to score for a second consecutive Premier League match as they were held to a goalless draw at Bournemouth.
Mauricio Pochettino’s threadbare side, which featured six players on the bench who had not made a top-flight appearance, were unable to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest and played out the first stalemate of the season.
Nicolas Jackson hit a post in the first-half but Chelsea had Robert Sanchez to thank for making a fine save to deny Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara.
The visitors went even closer in the second half, seeing Raheem Sterling’s free-kick come back off the crossbar and Levi Colwill’s follow-up ruled out for offside to leave them languishing in the bottom half with five points from five games.
How Bournemouth frustrated Chelsea
Conor Gallagher is closed down by Dango Ouattara
Chelsea started strongly with Sterling dragging an effort across goal before Jackson struck the left post with a low drive from just outside of the box in the 13th minute.
However, Bournemouth forced Sanchez into a superb sprawling save to deny Ouattara from close range after Ryan Christie had pulled the ball across.
Conor Gallagher, captaining Chelsea, was then denied from inside the box by a sharp save from Neto.
Levi Colwill wheels aways after finding the net only to learn his effort is disallowed for offside
Chelsea did have the ball in the net at the start of the second half when Sterling’s free-kick struck the bar and didn’t cross the line before Colwill turned in the rebound but was flagged offside.
Bournemouth, without a league win this season, pushed for victory late on, seeing Philip Billing’s free-kick deflect narrowly wide before Dominic Solanke was denied by the right foot of Sanchez.
Chelsea substitute Cole Palmer nearly netted the winner as his close-range effort was pushed away by Neto to leave the Blues with only one Premier League victory so far.
Fantasy Premier League stats
Play Fantasy Premier League and see more stats here
How the match played out
Opta Stats – Chelsea’s away day woe continues
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in three of their last four Premier League home games against Chelsea (W1 D2), after having lost each of their first three top-flight home games against them between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
- Since Graham Potter won his first two Premier League away games in charge of Chelsea (vs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in October 2022), the Blues have only managed two further victories in 16 away matches in the competition (D5 L9).
- Bournemouth haven’t gone on to win any of their last 10 Premier League home games that have been level at half-time (D8 L2), with their last such win coming in September 2019 vs Everton (3-1 from 1-1 at HT).
- Lesley Ugochukwu was the 37th different player to start for Chelsea in the Premier League in 2023 – their most different starters within a calendar year in the competition.
What’s next?
Bournemouth’s next game is away to Brighton on Sunday – kick-off 2pm. The Cherries then host Stoke in the Carabao Cup on September 27 – kick-off 7.45pm.
Chelsea’s next outing is at home to Aston Villa on Sunday – kick-off 2pm. The Blues then host Brighton in the Carabao Cup on September 27 – kick-off 7.45pm.
