Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Chelsea Player Ratings
Chelsea had Marcos Alonso to thank, as the Spaniard scored twice to keep the Blues’ slender lead in the fourth spot.
Willy Caballero was the hero early on as he denied both Philip Billing and Ryan Fraser as Bournemouth started the better team.
Marcos Alonso gave Frank Lampard’s side the lead with a fine volley before Oliver Giroud went on to hit the post. Jefferson Lerma scored with a powerful header from Fraser’s corner to draw the Cherries level.
With the tails up, Bournemouth went in search of another goal and Joshua King was at hand to steer in Jack Stacy’s rollback after Callum Wilson missed the initial effort.
Chelsea rallied and thought they had equalized only for substitute Michy Batsuayi’s effort to be ruled offside. The Blues finally drew level when Alonso scored after Aaron Ramsdale parried Pedro’s effort into his path.
The point ensures that Chelsea stays in fourth at least for now. With the competition for the top four set to go to the wire, Alonso’s contribution today could prove very important.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Willy Caballero (7/10)
Kept Chelsea on the game by making fine saves from Philip Biling and Callum Wilson in the first half. Did more of the same after the break as he once again denied Wilson.
Got both hands to Jefferson Lerma’s effort and was unlucky to see it go in. Could not have done anything for the second in what was mostly an assured display.
Reece James (6/10)
Ran up and down the flank all game. Did not create anything of note in spite of his best efforts and was better defensively than going forward.
Fikayo Tomori (4/10)
Nearly saw his team punished as his error put Biling in. Thankfully for the youngster, Caballero was alert to the threat.
Improved as the game went on but could not impose himself on the opposition. Should have done better for King’s goal.
Andreas Christensen (6/10)
Saw a good amount of the ball and used his pace to good effect. Got a yellow in the second half for a tactical foul on Wilson as the forward threatened to break on the counter.
Cesar Azpilicueta (6/10)
Looked to get forward at every opportunity. Had an excellent chance tod raw Chelsea level in the second half but saw his strike go out for a corner.
Was harassed aplenty by Wilson and looked more comfortable centrally than out wide.
Jorginho (5/10)
A tidy performance without actually making much of an effect. Picked up a yellow which now rules him out of the next two Premier League ties.
Taken off for Batshuayi as Chelsea chased the game.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10)
Kept the ball ticking and also attacked well down the center. Broke up play a number of times but should have done more to prevent Bournemouth’s opener.
Marcos Alonso (8.5/10)
No other defender has had more goal contributions than Alonso since he joined the club in 2016. He has now scored three goals in two games in what could be a telling contribution to Chelsea’s top-four hopes.
Mason Mount (6/10)
Moved into spaces well and showed intent. Connected well with Giroud and put in a number of dangerous deliveries into the box.
Saw less of the ball in the second half and wasn’t nearly as good as in the first half.
Pedro (7/10)
A good performance by the veteran. Showed intelligent movement and linked up well with his teammates as he looked to threaten.
Forced the save from Ramsdale which fell kindly for Alonso’s equalizer.
Oliver Giroud (5/10)
The Frenchman will be disappointed with his display. Hit the bar in the first half and should have extended his side’s lead in the second after Alonso put a cross on a plate for him.
Substitutes
Ross Barkley (6/10)
Added energy and zeal to the midfield. Made a few darting runs and had a few pops at goal as he took the role of a playmaker at times.
Willian (4/10)
A near invisible performance. Hardly saw him on the pitch.
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Michy Batshuayi (5/10)
He looked to have brought his side level with his first touch of the game, however, the goal was ruled offside. Hardly did anything else of note.
