Chelsea dropped more Premier League points as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth, failing to score in a game for the first time since August.
Not since the opening day against Palace had Enzo Maresca’s side not managed to find the net but they were frustrated by the Cherries and perhaps fortunate to head back to west London with any points.
Antoine Semenyo had a goal chalked off by VAR for a very tight offside call on three minutes before Evanilson somehow missed from point-blank range – a chance which was recorded as 0.85 in terms of expected goals.
Liam Delap left the field in the 30th minute with his shirt employed as a makeshift sling after grappling at a corner with Marcos Senesi and appearing to land heavily on his shoulder. Marc Guiu was the surprise preference to Joao Pedro as his replacement.
Pedro Neto finally brought a save out of Djordje Petrovic at the start of the second half with a low drive at the near post then Alejandro Garnacho headed Neto’s deep cross against the post.
Guiu lashed horribly at a loose ball from six yards out sending it crashing against the roof of the stand behind Petrovic’s goal.
Cole Palmer made his first start since September on his full return from injury but had little impact on the game, being replaced after 57 minutes.
Since drawing with Premier League leaders Arsenal, Chelsea have lost at Leeds and now drawn this blank.
Chelsea remain fourth but lose ground on Man City and Aston Villa above them.
Bournemouth are now six without a win in the Premier League but may feel this is a step forward after their own poor display in midweek.
Analysis: Chelsea’s striker issue
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
This stalement with Bournemouth hammered home the notion that Enzo Maresca has a centre-forward problem and it’s now impossible to ignore.
Chelsea generated plenty of territory, pressure and enough moments to suggest a big moment was coming but once again the decisive action inside the box simply wasn’t there.
The spotlight inevitably falls on Chelsea’s starting striker – and the numbers are stark. The starting Chelsea centre-forward has just one goal in 14 Premier League games. It’s becoming a damaging trend and one that could put Maresca in a spot of bother soon enough.
And now, Liam Delap’s shoulder injury removes the one internal option who offered a stylistic alternative of more direct running, more physicality and more willingness to attack space. Chelsea’s shortage in attack is holding them back.