Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Player Ratings as James Rescues Blues

Key Moments:

• Chelsea dominated the first half but failed to capitalize on numerous chances.
• Reece James scored a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to salvage a point.
• Bournemouth impressed with their resilience and energy in the second half.

Match Summary

Chelsea narrowly avoided another Premier League defeat, thanks to Reece James’ late heroics in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues controlled the first half and took an early lead through Cole Palmer’s composed finish. However, Justin Kluivert’s penalty and Antoine Semenyo’s powerful strike turned the tide in favor of the Cherries after the break. Despite Bournemouth’s spirited performance, James curled a brilliant free-kick past Mark Travers in added time to rescue a point.

Chelsea Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)

• GK: Robert Sanchez – 6.0
  Had little to do in the first half but was caught flat-footed for Bournemouth’s second goal.
• RB: Moises Caicedo – 6.5
  Conceded the penalty for Bournemouth’s equalizer but showed decent energy throughout.
• CB: Josh Acheampong – 6.5
  A solid first half but struggled against Semenyo for Bournemouth’s second goal.
• CB: Levi Colwill – 7.3
  Strong defensive display; showed maturity in key moments.
• LB: Marc Cucurella – 6.5
  Worked hard defensively and contributed to attacking transitions.
• DM: Romeo Lavia – 6.8
  Controlled the midfield well but lacked incisiveness in the final third.
• DM: Enzo Fernandez – 8.4 (Player of the Match)
  Dominated the midfield, creating chances and linking play effortlessly.
• RM: Noni Madueke – 6.8
  Made some good runs but faded in the second half.
• AM: Cole Palmer – 8.0
  Scored the opener and was a creative force throughout.
• LM: Jadon Sancho – 7.2
  Looked lively, offering width and attacking intent.
• ST: Nicolas Jackson – 8.4
  Unlucky not to score, hitting the post and forcing excellent saves.

Substitutes:

• Reece James (56′ for Lavia) – 7.4
  Scored the crucial equalizer with a sublime free-kick.
• Tosin Adarabioyo (71′ for Acheampong) – 6.5
  Brought stability to the backline late on.
• Pedro Neto (81′ for Madueke) – N/A
  Came on too late to make a meaningful impact.
• Joao Felix (81′ for Caicedo) – N/A
  Limited time on the pitch.

Subs Not Used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Malo Gusto, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu.

Bournemouth Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)

• GK: Mark Travers – 7.9
  Made several crucial saves to keep Bournemouth in the game.
• RB: James Hill – 5.9
  Struggled early on and was substituted after 22 minutes.
• CB: Illia Zabarnyi – 6.6
  Solid defensively but lacked composure in tight situations.
• CB: Dean Huijsen – 7.3
  A commanding presence at the back, especially in the air.
• LB: Milos Kerkez – 6.6
  Balanced defensive duties with attacking forays.
• DM: Lewis Cook – 7.0
  Shielded the defense effectively and distributed the ball well.
• DM: Tyler Adams – 7.2
  Energetic and combative in midfield battles.
• RM: David Brooks – 6.9
  Involved in key moments but fortunate to avoid a red card.
• AM: Ryan Christie – 7.1
  Linked play well and provided creativity in attack.
• LM: Dango Ouattara – 7.9
  Bournemouth’s standout performer, causing constant problems for Chelsea’s defense.
• ST: Antoine Semenyo – 6.3
  Scored a brilliant goal but was inconsistent throughout.

Substitutes:

• Justin Kluivert (22′ for Hill) – 8.1
  Scored the equalizer and added flair to Bournemouth’s attack.
• Daniel Jebbison (82′ for Brooks) – N/A
  Played too few minutes to be rated.

Subs Not Used: Will Dennis (GK), Matai Akinmboni, Maxwell Kinsey-Wellings, Ben Winterburn, Dominic Sadi, Daniel Adu-Adjei, Remy Rees-Dottin.

Key Talking Points

• Reece James Saves the Day: The Chelsea captain marked his return with a stunning free-kick, proving his importance to the team.
• Enzo Fernandez’s Influence: The midfielder was at the heart of Chelsea’s best moments, dictating play and creating opportunities.
• Bournemouth’s Resilience: Despite being dominated in the first half, the Cherries showed determination to nearly pull off a memorable victory.
• VAR Drama: David Brooks’ high arm on Marc Cucurella could have been a turning point, but the referee opted for a yellow card.

Final Thoughts

Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal remain a concern, but their resilience in salvaging a point highlights their fighting spirit. Bournemouth, on the other hand, can take pride in their performance, as they continue to show promise under their current setup.