Chelsea squandered a golden chance to breathe new life into the Premier League title race, held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by stubborn Bournemouth despite Arsenal’s earlier collapse at Aston Villa.
With the Gunners suffering a dramatic 2-1 defeat courtesy of Ollie Watkins’ stoppage-time winner, Enzo Maresca’s side arrived on the south coast knowing victory would slash the gap at the top to six points. Instead, a third consecutive game without a win leaves them fourth, now eight points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s faltering leaders.
Robert Sánchez emerged as the unlikely hero for the visitors. The Spanish goalkeeper produced a string of outstanding saves to thwart a dominant Bournemouth, who should have been ahead inside four minutes. Antoine Semenyo thought he had fired the hosts in front from close range, only for VAR to correctly rule Evanilson offside in the build-up.
Semenyo and the lively Alex Scott repeatedly tormented Chelsea’s backline in a one-sided first half, yet Sánchez stood tall. At the other end, Cole Palmer, making his first appearance since mid-September after injury, struggled to impose himself, managing just 28 touches.
Chelsea stirred after the interval. Alejandro Garnacho, handed a rare start, rattled the post with a header, before Enzo Fernández and Palmer finally forced Djordje Petrović into meaningful saves. Yet clear chances remained scarce.
Bournemouth, winless in six themselves, grew in belief. Semenyo again tested Sánchez with a ferocious late drive, but neither side could find the breakthrough on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Vitality Stadium.
The result extends Andoni Iraola’s curious drought: his side have now failed to score in successive league games for only the third time under the Spaniard.
