The 2024/25 Premier League season moves along with surprises and storylines that even the boldest of predictions could not have foreseen. Among those storylines is Chelsea, a team fighting for a top spot but seemingly stuck in a cycle of setbacks. Their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in the 21st round offers plenty to unpack about the Blues' current state.
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A promising start hides structural flaws
Chelsea began the match full of promise, with a total dominance approach, as Nicolas Jackson showed his class by beating three defenders and laying a perfect assist to Cole Palmer, who coolly finished. The goal seemed to signal a smooth night for the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
But, as has happened all too often this season, Chelsea cannot sustain that level of control. The fact that they did not make the most of their dominance provided Bournemouth with a route back into the match. Head coach Enzo Maresca conceded: "It was probably one of our best first halves of the season, but when you play like this, you have to be clinical."
Bournemouth capitalizes and turns the game around
That flipped on its head in the second half, with a Bournemouth taking advantage of Chelsea's defensive doze in an evenly transitional game. A penalty given away by Moisés Caicedo presented the opportunity for Justin Kluivert to make things level; he didn't waste it.
Soon after, Antoine Semenyo bulldozed his way through the defense to unleash a fierce shot that opened Chelsea up. The Blues looked stuck in second gear as the visitors became the more confident side, coming close to scoring a third goal but for a desperate intervention by Tosin Adarabioyo.
Reece James offers hope
Just when defeat seemed a certainty, captain Reece James, making his first Premier League appearance since November, produced a moment of brilliance. After João Félix won a foul with some quick thinking, James stepped up and stroked a perfect free kick that left Mark Travers rooted.
The goal was a relief, but it also underlined Chelsea's fragility: they needed an moment of brilliance to avoid a home loss against a team they should, arguably, deal with more comfortably.
Numbers don't lie
Stats tell the story of Chelsea's struggles. In their last four Premier League games, the Blues have dropped seven points from winning positions — a concerning fall for a team that began the season with consistency.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, is having arguably their best run in years in the Premier League, sitting seventh after nine matches without defeat, emerging as one of the standout stories of the league.
Table tells the story
The draw leaves Chelsea in fourth place with 37 points, but it is getting closer to the top as the pressure mounts. As for Bournemouth, they are enjoying their season so far in seventh place, three points behind the Blues and not slowing down.