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Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea: Report, Ratings and Reaction as Alonso Brace Secures Late Point for Blues

A late Marcos Alonso goal spared Chelsea's blushes to secure them a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. ​

The hosts showed their danger on the break early on, with Philip Billing and Callum Wilson both spurning good chances inside the first ten minutes. ​Despite Bournemouth looking more likely to score in the opening exchanges, it was Chelsea who grabbed the first goal courtesy of an unstoppable strike from Alonso. 

After the break, the Cherries came out with renewed purpose and – in a remarkable three-minute spell – they managed to edge into the lead. 

FBL-ENG-PR-BOURNEMOUTH-CHELSEA

Jefferson Lerma powered a header home from a corner shortly after the restart before Josh King tapped in at the back post to make it 2-1 bare minutes later.

Bournemouth defended resolutely but could not quite stem the Chelsea onslaught, with Alonso slotting home an equaliser with just five minutes left to play. 

BOURNEMOUTH

Key Talking Point 

Eddie Howe's side were among the Premier League's lowest scorers coming into this weekend, making the fact that they managed to grab two goals in just four scintillating second-half minutes all the more impressive.

After Lerma crashed his header home, the Cherries produced a goal that harked back to the counter-attacking brilliance exhibited at the Vitality last season. 

Joshua King

Some good pressing allowed Jack Stacey to pull the ball across the box dangerously, and Josh King was there to tap in. 


The goal showed that Bournemouth are still capable of being devastating in transition, and bodes well for the tough run of fixtures they have coming up.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ramsdale (7); Stacey (7), Cook (6), Ake (6), Smith (6); Cook (6), Lerma (7*), Billing (6); King (7), Wilson (6), Fraser (6).

Substitutes: Stanislas (6), Gosling (6).

Jefferson Lerma 

FBL-ENG-PR-BOURNEMOUTH-CHELSEA

​All-action midfielder Jefferson Lerma was the pick of the bunch for the Cherries. 

Not only did he score, he was also key to his side's spell of dominance in the second half - imposing himself on the Blues midfield to devastating effect. He didn't even get booked, for once.

CHELSEA 

Key Talking Point

​Another game, another afternoon of the world's most expensive goalkeeper sitting on the bench...

Willy Caballero started his fourth consecutive game for Chelsea, and put in another shaky performance. 

The Argentine should have kept out Lerma's header, which changed the complexion of the game, and you also have to wonder whether Chelsea's defensive frailties are being exacerbated by their back three's lack of confidence in their keeper.


With Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly trying to manufacturing a move away from Stamford Bridge, is it time for Frank Lampard to recall the Spaniard? Probably, yes.

​​

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Caballero (5); James (7), Azpilicueta (6), Christensen (7), Tomori (6), Alonso (8*); Jorginho (5), Kovacic (6); Mount (6), Pedro (5), Giroud (6).

Substitutes: Barkley (6), Willian (6), Batshuayi (6).

Marcos Alonso

Marcos Alonso,Pedro

Despite being exiled for much of the season, Marcos Alonso was Chelsea's main attacking threat against Bournemouth. 

The Spaniard has always looked more comfortable at wing-back and he delivered a number of dangerous crosses for the Blues' forwards as well as scoring two vital goals.

Looking Ahead

Next Saturday , Bournemouth face the daunting task of a trip to Anfield to take on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool. 

Chelsea also face the Reds next in the FA Cup before they host Everton in the league on Sunday. 

​


Source : 90min