Chelsea’s detached begin to the Premier League season continued as they have been held to a colorless goalless draw by Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino’s aspect have been once more brief on artistic risk because the hosts dealt comfortably with what their opponents may muster in assault, solely as soon as wanting genuinely troubled when Raheem Sterling’s second-half free-kick cracked the underside of the crossbar.
For Chelsea it was a well-known case of failing to seek out the crucial move, as possession and general management of the match counted for little.
It leaves the staff assembled for greater than £1billion by co-owner Todd Boehly languishing in 14th place with only one win of their first 5 league video games.
Andoni Iraola noticed the winless streak with which his Bournemouth tenure has began stretch to 5 matches but in addition witnessed moments of real attacking intent from his staff, most notably when Dango Ouattara was denied brilliantly within the first half by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sterling had the primary sight of objective within the tenth minute when he darted into the field to latch onto Conor Gallagher’s chipped move however his shot was miscued and rolled away to security.
Nicolas Jackson made higher use of his first alternative, hanging the skin of the submit from Mykhailo Mudryk’s through-ball.
It took an excellent sprawling save from Sanchez to maintain out Ouattara, the goalkeeper diving on the striker’s toes after Bournemouth had caught Chelsea out with a fast free-kick.
Sterling regarded within the temper to proceed the wealthy vein of kind with which he has began the season. In the twenty second minute, Malo Gusto linked up properly with Gallagher down the fitting and despatched over a low cross that Sterling was first to react to, however his shot was deflected to security.
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Neto bought a powerful proper hand right down to beat away Gallagher’s effort from 18 yards after he had been arrange by Mudryk. For Chelsea, the primary half had traced a well-known sample; loads of possession and probing balls into the channels, however little to recommend they’d fathomed learn how to break Bournemouth down.
Sterling practically gave them the proper begin to the second interval, his free-kick from 20 yards crashing off the bar and down onto the objective line. Levi Colwill tapped residence the rebound however was rightly known as offside.
The Blues had conceded 5 objectives of their first 4 league video games, and there have been once more indicators of defensive frailties in Dorset.
Axel Disasi didn’t get peak or distance on his clearance from the sting of the field, heading the ball to the toes of Ryan Christie who curled a well-struck effort into the palms of Sanchez.
Chelsea’s breakthrough regarded to have arrived after 65 minutes when Sterling slid a ball in behind for Jackson, whose low cross was virtually turned residence by the stretching Colwill – with Neto clawing the ball to security.
But the guests have been wanting more and more determined of their method. Gusto and Sterling every epitomised the dearth of artistic concepts that has dashed Pochettino’s early ambitions, lashing speculative photographs excessive and broad from distance when there have been choices on.
At the opposite finish, Bournemouth have been more and more a risk. First Philip Billing noticed a free-kick deflected narrowly broad, earlier than Dominic Solanke’s low drive was properly saved by Sanchez.
Cole Palmer was summoned from the bench to assist discover Chelsea’s rhythm, however the summer time signing from Manchester City had little extra success than the participant he changed, Mudryk.
Ben Chilwell additionally got here on and made one good burst ahead and crossed for Jackson, however the striker’s header was straightforward for Neto.
