THOMAS TUCHEL returned to the scene of the maddest 20 months of his career to run the rule over a new generation of English Chelsea stars.
He got that alright and also a reminder that while there are many different names on the team-sheet, things haven’t changed that much at Stamford Bridge.
After Cole Palmer set the stage for an exhibition style win with his delightful goal on 14 minutes, the night turned on its head.
Injury hit Bournemouth levelled from the penalty spot and then went ahead through a demonstration of power and experience that shook Enzo Maresca’s young team.
And it was the most unlikely Englishman who stole the show when forgotten man Reece James struck the 95th minute free kick that rescued a point for Chelsea and kept his team clinging onto a place in the top four for now at least.
James was the only man in the squad still here from when Tuchel was boss – which shows how quickly people move on at this club.
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And the homegrown defender who dreamed of being England’s first choice right back but has missed two major tournaments due to injury upstaged all the newbies with his last-gasp act of salvation.
What should have been a first Premier League win at home since mid-December was transformed into a backs-against-the-wall, nerve-jangling night for the manager until skipper James struck.
But while James and his team-mates wheeled away in equal delight and relief to avoid defeat it’s nothing to shout about.
Chelsea came close to crumbling against the smallest team in the top flight who rocked up with no recognised striker in the starting line up and six academy kids on the bench.
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They also had to leave first choice keeper Kepa at home because he is on loan from Chelsea.
What notes Tuchel did take from his vantage point in the comfy seats would not have been too complimentary about yet another slipshod display from the big-spending Blues.
The German was back for the first time since being sacked in September 2022 – a year or so after winning the Champions League for Chelsea.
He then held the club together when it almost went out of business following the emergency exile of former owner Roman Abramovich when war kicked off between Russia and Ukraine.
Chelsea threatened to collapse at the time and it was similar on the pitch yet again following defeats to Ipswich and Fulham and draws against Crystal Palace and Everton in recent weeks.
Palmer, one of England’s bright notes at Euro 2024 in Tuchel’s homeland last summer, shone briefly.
Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth
CHELSEA failed to win for their fourth Prem outing in a row as they drew 2-2 with Bournemouth.
Having taken the lead through Cole Palmer, things went very wrong in the second half.
Justin Kluivert scored from the spot after a poor challenge from Moise Caicedo led to the penalty.
Antoine Semenyo then put the Cherries in front.
But up stepped Reece James to fire in a brilliant 95th minute penalty and salvage a point.
Here’s how the players rated…
Robert Sanchez – 5
His (or Enzo Maresca’s) insistence on playing the “riskiest pass in football” almost cost his side in the first half, but he wasn’t caught out on this occasion. Couldn’t do an awful lot about either of the goals, a pretty average performance.
Moises Caicedo – 3
Was solid in the first half if not a little fortunate not to be booked for a few “tactical” fouls. However, he got caught out in the second 45 and gave away a penalty through a poorly timed tackle on Semenyo. Not the kind of performance we’ve become accustomed to seeing from him as his passes too often went astray.
Josh Acheampong – 5
Made a few good blocks and tackles in the first half, but was easily beaten by Semenyo before he smashed home the goal that put Bournemouth in the lead. Looked a little inexperienced out there, but you can tell he has quality – was taken off for Tosin in the second half shortly after the goal, who you would imagine will take the starting spot going forward.
Levi Colwill – 6
Imperious in the air and across the ground in the first half. Didn’t do a lot wrong truth be told, but no clean sheet cost him a higher score.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Stepped into his tackles well and was solid throughout the game, keeping David Brooks quiet on the right for Bournemouth. Wasn’t as influential in an attacking sense as we have seen him be this season, but still did a decent job.
Romeo Lavia – 5
Dominant in midfield in the first half, and was brilliant in transition, looking like a master of his craft. Unfortunately, a second-half mistake saw him caught out which led to the Bournemouth penalty before he was then booked for a late tackle. Was taken off shortly after he was booked and replaced by Reece James.
Enzo Fernández (c) – 6
Worked well as he had done previously when given the license to roam forward, knowing he had Lavia and Caicedo behind him. Bournemouth’s midfield had no answer to him with the ball at his feet, but as for many of the Blues, he was much quieter in the second half.
Noni Madueke – 6
Arguably deserved a first-half assist after he left a defender on the floor with a mazy run from the right-hand side, but Nicolas Jackson fluffed his lines in front of goal. Continued his good work on the ball in the second half and generally created some good chances that weren’t finished.
Cole Palmer – 8
Looked like he was out to impress from the start, with a cheeky nutmeg followed by a Lampard vs Hull-esque dink early on which didn’t come off. This was all before the 12th minute where he sat interim goalkeeper Mark Travers on his backside with a fake shot before slotting home for the opening goal. He created good chances too for Jackson, but faded pretty heavily after his goal.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Two nutmegs in quick succession was the highlight of his first half, but he was pretty quiet throughout the 90 minutes.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
His first half performance would have had fans raving about how he is the second coming of Didier Drogba. But his second half reminded us of why he’s not, with two huge bites at the Cherries missed that ultimately cost his side.
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Reece James (Romeo Lavia, 56) – 8
Made the perfect comeback from his injury woes, with a rocket of a free-kick guided into the bottom right corner. Looked strong and composed on the ball after his introduction.
Tosin Adarabioyo (Josh Acheampong, 71) – 7
Brought a bit more presence and leadership to a Chelsea team that looked as though it was lacking exactly that tonight. Had a good header saved by Travers at the death, you’d imagine he will be starting against Wolves.
Joao Felix (Moises Caicedo, 80) – 6
Did really well with limited minutes on the pitch after being bought on. A tame effort on goal was saved by the Bournemouth keeper, but it was his mazy dribbling that won the free-kick that James fired home to equalise.
Pedro Neto (Noni Madueke, 80) – 5
Didn’t get long enough to properly warm into the game and Chelsea didn’t find him enough, could probably count his touches on your fingers.
In addition to his classy goal early on, he went narrowly wide with a delicate chip moments earlier.
His England team-mates Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke – perhaps even forgotten international Jadon Sancho – also had the chance to shine in front of the new England head coach.
But after going ahead, yet again boss Maresca was left grasping for what little hair he has, with the way his team slowly ground to a halt.
To sum up the frenetic pace of the game which Tuchel will have enjoyed, Justin Kluivert hit the post for Bournemouth and Nicolas Jackson did the same at the other end in less than 30 seconds.
Jackson is an enigma at this club. Scores goals and works damned hard. He generated the breakthrough from which Palmer put the home side ahead.
But he misses so many chances. And duly obliged in the first half after cracking work on the wing by England wideman Noni Madueke. Skewing a close range shot over the bar.
Maresca toyed with his line up too like his opposite number Andoni Iraola.
Placing Moises Caicedo as right back turned midfielder and it wasn’t a happy ending.
His best tackler went in a bit too hard on Antoine Semenyo in the box and ref Rob Jones awarded a clear penalty.
Kluivert sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way to square things up. And that’s when Chelsea got rattled.
Palmer disappeared, Colwill was limping. Madueke was plugging away but getting nowhere.
And Bournemouth seized their moment in the 68th minute when Semenyo was put through again in the box and brushed off rookie Josh Acheampong with ease.
It was a lesson in maturity and strength for the teenager who was immediately hooked once the Cherries man had blasted an unstoppable shot past Sanchez.
Bournemouth rode their luck when David Brooks was lucky to stay on after appearing to whack Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
Ref Rob Jones can only have missed the original incident as he was summoned by VAR to the pitchside monitor then handed the midfielder a yellow card when everyone expected a red.
It was deemed reckless and not violent conduct but still a strange sight to see.
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Nonetheless, Bournemouth held on and at one point were leading, level on points with Chesea and sending Maresca’s expensive team tumbling out of the Champions League places until James delivered from a set-piece.
Joao Felix was pulled down outside the box and from almost 30 yards, James sent a reminder that he isn’t quite finished yet but curling home a stunning shot into the opposite corner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
