A late Marcos Alonso goal spared Chelsea’s blushes to secure them a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. ?
The hosts showed their danger on the break early on, with Philip Billing and Callum Wilson both spurning good chances inside the first ten minutes.
After the break, the Cherries came out with renewed purpose and – in a remarkable three-minute spell – they managed to edge into the lead.
Jefferson Lerma powered a header home from a corner shortly after the restart before Josh King tapped in at the back post to make it 2-1 bare minutes later.
Bournemouth defended resolutely but could not quite stem the Chelsea onslaught, with Alonso slotting home an equaliser with just five minutes left to play.
BOURNEMOUTH
Key Talking Point
After Lerma crashed his header home, the Cherries produced a goal that harked back to the counter-attacking brilliance exhibited at the Vitality last season.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Ramsdale (7); Stacey (7), Cook (6), Ake (6), Smith (6); Cook (6), Lerma (7*), Billing (6); King (7), Wilson (6), Fraser (6).
Substitutes: Stanislas (6), Gosling (6).
Jefferson Lerma
?All-action midfielder Jefferson Lerma was the pick of the bunch for the Cherries.
Not only did he score, he was also key to his side’s spell of dominance in the second half – imposing himself on the Blues midfield to devastating effect. He didn’t even get booked, for once.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL JEFFERSON LERMA!!!!!
— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) February 29, 2020
CHELSEA
Key Talking Point
?Another game, another afternoon of the world’s most expensive goalkeeper sitting on the bench…
Willy Caballero started his fourth consecutive game for Chelsea, and put in another shaky performance.
The Argentine should have kept out Lerma’s header, which changed the complexion of the game, and you also have to wonder whether Chelsea’s defensive frailties are being exacerbated by their back three’s lack of confidence in their keeper.
With Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly trying to manufacturing a move away from Stamford Bridge, is it time for Frank Lampard to recall the Spaniard? Probably, yes.
Think Lampard has ultimately reduced his Chelsea lifespan significantly by persistantly dropping @kepa_46 and persevering with @willy_caballero. If they were getting results you could call it brave, ruthless man management. Theyre not though
— Michael Holloway (@MickHoll50) February 29, 2020
??
Willy Caballero has saved just 53.3% shots he has faced in the Premier League this season, the joint-lowest among all keepers with 4+ PL apps this season (also Claudio Bravo).
Willy is beaten again. ? pic.twitter.com/CMJ2ZKJnaI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 29, 2020
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Caballero (5); James (7), Azpilicueta (6), Christensen (7), Tomori (6), Alonso (8*); Jorginho (5), Kovacic (6); Mount (6), Pedro (5), Giroud (6).
Substitutes: Barkley (6), Willian (6), Batshuayi (6).
Marcos Alonso
Despite being exiled for much of the season, Marcos Alonso was Chelsea’s main attacking threat against Bournemouth.
The Spaniard has always looked more comfortable at wing-back and he delivered a number of dangerous crosses for the Blues’ forwards as well as scoring two vital goals.
Marcos Alonso has 2 in 2 games…
Interesting decisions ahead..
– Goal threat
– LWB option important if we are to continue to play 3atb more often.
– Good in the air.
– Improvement on his crossing.I’d look to Sell Emerson, get a first choice LB and keep Alonso for backup.
— Pys (@CFCPys) February 29, 2020
Looking Ahead
Next Saturday , Bournemouth face the daunting task of a trip to Anfield to take on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea also face the Reds next in the FA Cup before they host Everton in the league on Sunday.
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Let’