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chelseaThe poor form in the Premier League continued as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw away from home by Bournemouth. Stamford Bridgeextending their dismal run to just one win in seven games.
All four goals came in a chaotic first half, with David Brooks giving the visitors an early lead.
Cole Palmer quickly equalized from the penalty spot before Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea ahead.
However, their lead was short-lived and Justin Kluivert restored parity for Bournemouth before the break.
The result was a major blow to any hopes of progress under Enzo Maresca and instead highlighted ongoing weaknesses within the squad, from a lack of decisive leadership in defense and midfield to a frequent inability to convert numerous scoring opportunities.
Estevo performed well in his return from injury, but otherwise none of the players in blue looked confident in themselves when the ball came to them in the box.
The summer transfer dealings in and out of attacking players have not made up for this squad’s major flaws.
Chelsea fell behind after six minutes. Bournemouth crossed from the right and both teams scrambled for the ball, which fell to Brooks two yards out. Robert Sanchez’s first shot was deflected away but only reached the Bournemouth captain, who shoveled the ball over the line for his second.
Chelsea have had problems losing leads this season but have quickly recognized their ability to recover. Antoine Semenho – in what could be his final appearance for Bournemouth – appeared to trip Estevo in the penalty area, raising expectations for a penalty among the home fans.
The game went on for a while until VAR finally called Sam Barrot to the screen. The ball was called for a penalty and Palmer snuck past Djordje Petrovich to equalize.
Brooks was denied for a second time by Sanchez’s powerful left hand after Moises Caicedo lost the ball in midfield, but Chelsea created the next twist in a chaotic first half.
Alejandro Garnacho passed the ball to Fernandez, who put the ball past Alex Scott with a clever feint before firing the ball into the top corner.
The situation returned to calm half an hour ago. Another brief Chelsea lead evaporated when a long ball from Semenho was inadvertently deflected to the far post by Trevor Chalobah, where Kluivert was waiting to shoot.
There was at least a tantalizing feeling that another Blues goal could come at any moment, especially with Estevo returning after three games out and easily terrorizing Bournemouth’s left flank whenever he got the ball.
Stamford Bridge erupted in boos when the impressive Palmer was withdrawn at the end of the game, with supporters near the dugout angrily mocking Maresca “you don’t know what you’re doing”.
Those jeers were almost replaced by cheers seconds later when Estevo seemed free to flank the flanks, only to be blocked by Petrovic’s impressive low shot.
Fernandez then had a great chance when he sent the ball over the crossbar unmarked from 12 yards out, but Enes Unal’s volley in stoppage time was the best chance of the second half.