Chelsea ended their 2025 in disappointed as they failed to beat a Bournemouth side that haven’t won a Premier League game since the end of October. It’s not looking good for Enzo Maresca’s side as they fall further away from the Champions League places.
David Brooks opened the scoring after just six minutes when an Antoine Semenyo throw in caused absolute havoc amongst the Chelsea defenders. It wasn’t the first and it probably won’t be the last time we’ll see that happen.
Cole Palmer equalised from the spot after Semenyo brought Estevao down. That won’t have been the (likely) parting gift the winger would have wanted to give the Bournemouth fans, but it could have been worse.
Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead thanks to some brilliant work from Alejandro Garnacho, but it was only brief as Justin Kluivert restored parity four minutes later.
Chelsea are FRAZZLED
In a reverse from their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their previous fixture, Chelsea were all over the place in the first half. If felt like every time Bournemouth came forward they’d score, luckily for the home side they were able to, somewhat, weather the storm.
Bournemouth had 14 shots in the opening 45 minutes against Chelsea, their most EVER in the first half of a Premier League away game. They also managed to create five big chances and generated an xG of 2.46.
Maresca managed to settle things at the break, most notably bringing Reece James on to add a little bit of calmness, but for all their dominance, Chelsea did little with it, and it’s another frustrating result, as the West Londoners now have one win in seven Premier League games.
Estevao needs to start more
If anyone involved with Chelsea can take anything from this game, it’s that young Estevao was great. The Brazilian has had limited chances under Maresca, with the manager trying to ease him into life in England, but at this point, there is no reason he shouldn’t be thrown in at the deep end.
The Brazilian not only won the penalty that got Chelsea back in the game, he completed the most dribbled (4), created two chances, had 13 touches in the opposition box, and a 100% cross accuracy rate.
Chelsea are in desperate need to someone who can take the game by the scruff of the neck. It’s usually Palmer, but Maresca decided to bring him off in the 63rd minute, and with the club’s other wingers struggling, Estevao could be the answer.
The boo boys are out
Now, we’re not talking a Tottenham level of booing, but there was a smattering of low-level booing heard from the home supporters, and it’s easy to see why. Chelsea should be dispatching these teams, but a lack of cutting edge and continued poor defending is forcing tensions to boil over.
It’s unclear exactly who the boos were aimed at. Maresca’s decision to bring Palmer off was met with some, but those that voiced their frustrations upon the final whistle could have aimed theirs at the sporting directors, ownership, manager, or players. Take your pick.
Ultimately, the Maresca is the one that will have to face the music, even if Paul Winstanley & Laurence Stewart should face some degree of accountability for the club’s apparent regression. It could all get very toxic very quickly at Stamford Bridge.