Chelsea and Bournemouth held in chaotic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea and Bournemouth share frantic Stamford Bridge draw

Chelsea and Bournemouth served up a breathless 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, a match shaped by ambition, uncertainty and one player who refused to shrink from the moment. Antoine Semenyo, amid strong expectation of a £65m move to Manchester City, played a decisive role for Bournemouth, creating two goals and conceding a penalty in a game that never settled.

Bournemouth struck first in the sixth minute when Semenyo’s long throw caused havoc and David Brooks finished from close range. Chelsea responded swiftly. Semenyo brought down Estevao Willian in the box and, after a VAR review, referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot. Cole Palmer converted confidently before Enzo Fernandez curled a superb finish into the top corner to make it 2-1 inside 23 minutes.

Semenyo drives Bournemouth response

The lead lasted barely four minutes. Once again Semenyo’s long throw proved decisive, Justin Kluivert reacting quickest to tap home. Bournemouth carried real threat thereafter and enjoyed the better of the first half, registering 14 attempts and testing Robert Sanchez repeatedly. For all Chelsea’s possession, Bournemouth’s directness unsettled them.

At the break, Enzo Maresca introduced Reece James and Pedro Neto, seeking control and urgency. Chelsea pushed higher, yet Bournemouth remained dangerous on the break. VAR dismissed appeals for handball against Malo Gusto, while Djordje Petrovic denied Estevao with a fine save from distance.

Chelsea frustration deepens

Chelsea had chances to win it. Fernandez blazed over from inside the box late on, the clearest opening of the second half. Joao Pedro replaced Palmer to audible frustration from the stands, reflecting a growing unease around Stamford Bridge. In stoppage time, Bournemouth nearly stole it when Enes Unal volleyed over from 12 yards after Amine Adli’s cross.

The draw leaves Chelsea with just one win in seven league matches and a worrying habit of surrendering leads, having now dropped 15 points from winning positions. December has been bruising, and confidence feels fragile ahead of a demanding trip to Manchester City without the suspended Moises Caicedo.

Bournemouth belief and commitment

For Bournemouth, the performance carried encouragement despite extending their winless run to 10. Semenyo embodied their spirit, combining physicality, creativity and defensive discipline. Asked if this was his final appearance, Andoni Iraola said: “It is not his last game. I can’t say 100 percent but I think he will play, yes.

“He needs to recover because we play Arsenal at home in another three days, against top of the league, he will be an important player for us, yes.”

Chelsea and Bournemouth remain searching for momentum, but on this chaotic afternoon, it was Semenyo who left the strongest impression.