Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Reece James spares Blues’ blushes as skipper nets stoppage time free-kick to salvage point – but poor run of form continues

When Chelsea were losing 2-1 and were awarded a 25-yard free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time, we all thought Cole Palmer would take it.

But then Reece James, club captain and savior, stepped up as the substitute, now injury-free, smashed the ball into the far corner and past Mark Travers to rescue a draw from defeat.

Although Chelsea relied on this late equalizer from their captain, they left somewhat dissatisfied. This was another game where they created a ridiculous number of chances and failed to take them, with Nicolas Jackson once again to blame.

While it is tempting to further dissect the Blues’ shortcomings, with expectant Stamford Bridge fans showing their frustrations before James had a stunner, this was actually a night to praise Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.

They are the other surprise package of the season, after Nottingham Forest of course. Nine games unbeaten in the Premier League represents a club record, and they still managed to secure European football for the first time. It was a penalty equalizer from Justin Kluivert and a 68th-minute strike from Antoine Semenyo that brought them so close to victory.

Chelsea have been linked with almost all of Bournemouth’s back line, not least their centre-backs Dean Huijsen, 19, and Illia Zabarnyi, 22. They like a talented youngster, the Blues, and this was certainly a youthful team that arrived with Iraola.

The Blues captain found the bottom corner from a free kick deep into stoppage time

Antoine Semenyo had given the injury-hit Cherries the lead when they came from behind to take the lead

Their substitutes’ bench told a story as injuries and other issues left the bench littered with kids including Daniel Adu-Adjei and Dominic Sadi, two youngsters who played for League Two Carlisle United until last week. It was Friday when Bournemouth announced they would be recalling the duo from their season-long loan to help with their deficit.

They watched as Chelsea threatened from the start, a heavy touch from Enzo Fernandez robbing him of the chance to open the scoring, while Mark Travers smothered the ball before the midfielder could get to it. Travers came on for Kepa Arrizabalaga – the goalkeeper unable to meet his parent club – and got used to seeing Jadon Sancho sprint towards his penalty area.

Sancho was having a great time here. There was even a double nutmeg from the Manchester United loanee at one point – he stroked the ball through the legs of Lewis Cook and then Ryan Christie to get out of trouble down the left wing – as the south London lad played his showed creativity in cage football.

He assisted Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s last Premier League appearance at Crystal Palace and almost did it again when he hit the ball back for his teammate, whose curler went narrowly wide. England manager Thomas Tuchel was here at Stamford Bridge to watch the pair combine.

Chelsea found the breakthrough in the 13th minute. It started with an interception of Marc Cucurella as Jackson held up the ball. He was surrounded by three Bournemouth men, yet Zabarnyi rolled as he turned and played in Palmer for a one-on-one with Travers.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the finish that followed from Chelsea’s 22-year-old superstar, the way he faked a shot to bring down the Bournemouth goalkeeper and fired the ball into the gaping goal. The English miracle made it seem easy. It is, if your name is Cole Palmer.

After 22 minutes, Iraola had to make a substitution because James Hill was injured. He turned to the only senior footballer he had on the bench in Kluivert.

Chelsea attacked again, with Noni Madueke’s determination on the right unrewarded as Jackson skied on what should have been a tap-in for an elite striker.

Bournemouth’s first chance came in the 37th minute, gifted to them by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who again botched a passing attempt from the back. Kluivert hit the post. Seconds later, Jackson did the same from 20 yards.

Cole Palmer scored the opening goal for the hosts, who were hoping to end their winless run

However, Moises Caicedo fouled Antoine Semenyo, giving Bournemouth the chance to score

Justin Kluivert took the penalty after coming off the bench and scoring

Andoni Iraola’s side continued their hunt for a European finish despite their injury problems

Chelsea should have scored again after 44 minutes when Palmer’s cross found Jackson. His header from six yards was saved by Travers. The rebound fell to his feet, this time from two meters. He hit it into the side netting as Enzo Maresca fell to his knees in the technical area.

It’s no wonder Chelsea continue to be linked with strikers such as Ipswich’s Liam Delap, while their striker misses such clear-cut chances.

In the 49th minute, Bournemouth won a penalty when Moises Caicedo charged into Semenyo’s back. He didn’t take anything from the ball, completely the man, and Kluivert made it 1-1 by scoring straight through the middle. Not for the first time this season, Chelsea botched their waste.

David Brooks feared a red card when Jones visited his pitch monitor and warned that the Bournemouth winger may have forcibly stopped Cucurella. In a rare move, Jones disagreed with VAR’s recommendation, much to Chelsea’s fury.

Sanchez was then needed to stop Brooks from putting Bournemouth ahead. But Chelsea’s goalkeeper could not stop Semenyo when, given too much space by Josh Acheampong as the 18-year-old centre-back showed his inexperience, he fired the ball into the goal: 2-1.

In injury time, substitute Joao Felix was awarded a free kick. Palmer stood over it. But then James curled the ball past Travers for 2-2.