Bournemouth vs Chelsea LIVE
Chelsea missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a goalless draw by Bournemouth. Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa at Saturday lunchtime handed the Blues a massive incentive ahead of kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.
Victory on the south coast of England, thus bouncing back from the midweek loss to Leeds, and the Blues would have been six points behind the leaders. However, they had been fortunate not to fall behind to an onslaught from the Cherries late in the first half, Robert Sanchez frustrating Andoni Iraola's team with an inspired showing.
Antoine Semenyo had whacked the ball in the Chelsea net after three minutes but was denied for offside following a lengthy VAR check. That was arguably the closest either side came to a goal in what was a largely forgettable Premier League encounter on the south coast of England. Follow Bournemouth vs Chelsea back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at the Vitality Stadium!
Bournemouth vs Chelsea latest news
- NO GOAL! Semenyo strike disallowed for offside
FULL-TIME
16:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: James goes into the book, no actually, it was Pedro Neto booked.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: FIVE more minutes. Plenty of time for either side to find a winner.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: Hearing five minutes of stoppage time will be added...
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: Enes Unal replaces Evanilson for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Guiu is booked for a tackle on Hill. Pure frustration that.
First yellow card of the game.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: Into the final eight minutes or so here at the Vitality. Will there be late drama?
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Sanchez again! Another fine stop from the Chelsea keeper as he beats away Semenyo’s strike at his near post.
From the resulting corner, Chalobah makes first contact before the offside flag halts Bournemouth’s momentum.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Another Chelsea change as Estevao is sent on in place of Garnacho.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Garnacho leads a 3vs 3 for Chelsea but is forced wide by Hill and eventually that attack breaks down - much to the frustration of the travelling support.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: Double change for Bournemouth.
OFF: Jimenez, Kluivert
ON: Brooks, Adli
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: This game needs a lift. It’s all gone rather flat since an electric start to the second half.
Garnacho is inches away from providing that spark but his effort curls away from the far post.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Fine challenge from Gusto on Scott in the are just as the Bournemouth midfielder was ready to pull the trigger. Had to time it perfectly otherwise he concedes a penalty.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Guiu with a wild swipe in a decent position. Ball flies over the bar, decent chance that.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Can’t help but feel one goal will be enough to decide this one.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: This does not look good for Senesi. He’s down again after attempting to continue. Bournemouth’s defensive crisis deepens as Hill is brought on to replace Senesi.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Big concern for Bournemouth as Senesi is struggling.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
16:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePalmer's race is run then. He is replaced by Joao Pedro, with the Englishman still not quite ready to stay on the field for a full 90 minutes yet.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Desperate defending by Chelsea as several players charge down Truffert’s shot.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Gusto does well 1v1 against Semenyo but concedes a corner and Scott’s delivery is straight down the throat of Sanchez who looks to set Chelsea on the attack but Fernandez makes a complete mess of things.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Chelsea have woken up! A flurry of efforts at goal as Petrovic saves from Fernandez and Palmer. Both routine stops but at least the Blues have arrived at the party.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe header kisses the post from Garanacho - the closest Chelsea have come, and then a sweeping shot from Fernandez is held by Petrovic. The Blues getting closer?
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: It’s taken this long for Chelsea to record their first shot on target this afternoon as Neto forces Petrovic into action. Mind you, the effort is tame.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Bournemouth straight on the attack as an effort from Tavernier whistles just wide of the post. Sanchez was beaten if that was in the corner.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
16:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Fernandez stays down after contesting an aerial duel with Scott. Chelsea midfielder gets back to his feet and is fine to carry on.
KICK-OFF!
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at the Vitality Stadium
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
16:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNo half-time changes for Chelsea here.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live
16:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea ended that first half without a shot on target.
That was despite having the greater share of possession.
Chelsea handed new injury headache
15:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea appear to have been dealt a fresh injury blow after Liam Delap went off in the first half of Chelsea’s match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Englishman was substituted in the 31st minute and went straight down the tunnel, as he was replaced by Marc Guiu.
The problem was caused as Chelsea defended a corner, with Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi landing awkwardly on Delap after the corner was taken.
Delap appeared to be in pain and was seen to by doctors before being brought off.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
15:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWell it's safe to say Chelsea have not played their best stuff thus far. A big second half is needed if they are to claim all three points and get back to winning ways here.
Perhaps Maresca will be thinking about half-time changes?
HALF-TIME
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
Sanchez with a brilliant save towards the end of the half but the two teams are level at the break.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Four minutes of additional time has been signalled at the end of this first half.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Brilliant play from Scott as he drives through the Chelsea midfield but takes on one too many players and sees his run halted by Fofana.
Semenyo then shoots high and wide after doing well to hold off Gusto.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: Attempt at goal for Chelsea, but Pedro Neto curls an effort well wide of the post. Don’t think the Blues have mustered a shot on target yet...
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne39 min: Chelsea threaten as Garnacho’s deep cross picks out Gusto at the back post but the Frenchman can’t return the favour for Guiu in the middle and Bournemouth clear.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Evanilson, somehow, puts the ball wide from a few yards out after Semenyo’s shot was deflected into his path by Sanchez’s save.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Bournemouth win two corners in quick succession but are unable to make any of them count. They play the second one short and Palmer ends up winning a throw for Chelsea.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
15:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDelap down the tunnel, a shame for him, and interesting that Guiu is the man to replace him rather than Joao Pedro. The Brazilian no doubt being rested.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: First test at defending a corner for Chelsea and Sanchez does well to punch the ball away under difficult conditions with the wind.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: Bournemouth fans not happy with Delap for a hand in the face of Senesi.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Speaking of cut-backs, Smith gets too much height on his and the ball drifts over the head of Semenyo at the near post. Game is beginning to open up.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Lovely take on the run by Pedro Neto, he cuts the ball back for Delap who sees his effort blocked.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt's lacking much flow, this game. Chelsea starting to come into their own and using Palmer more in the middle of the park but struggling to find the rhythm to assert any dominance at the moment.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: CHANCE!
Cucurella starts the move and nearly finishes it as he heads Pedro Neto’s cross over the bar. That is the closest Chelsea have come to a goal so far.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: Pedro Neto will have every reason to feel frustrated at his Chelsea team-mates as twice now a simple pass out to him has been over hit.
This time it’s Palmer, but we will let the England man off as he’s rusty.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Bit naughty from Delap as he has a little nibble on Senesi after the ball had gone out of play. Just a talking to for the Chelsea striker.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: Semenyo strides forward and lays the ball off to Jimenez who has two bites at the cherry but neither attempt causes Sanchez any bother in the Chelsea goal.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: My word that is a tight offside call against Evanlison. His shoulder was leaning offside and, of course, you can score with your shoulder so Semenyo’s goal was correctly disallowed.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: Chelsea seeing plenty of the ball now, yet to test Petrovic in the Bournemouth goal but just taking the sting out of the game was crucial after that nervy start.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea started so poorly at Leeds on Wednesday and were punished with defeat. They have started poorly here but have a reprieve as a long VAR check confirms Semenyo's opener is ruled out.
Chelsea must keep their focus, they were nearly behind after three minutes, but for Evanilson's premature run.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
15:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: GOAL DISALLOWED.
Semenyo’s goal does not stand as Evanilson was in an offside position in the build up.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Chelsea | Antoine Semenyo ‘4
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: BOURNEMOUTH LEAD!
Awful start for Chelsea as Antoine Semenyo fires the Cherries in front.
KICK-OFF!
15:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Premier League clash!
Who will bounce back from defeat in midweek?
HERE WE GO!
14:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Vitality Stadium.
Kick-off is next!
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
14:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Chelsea away fans are slowly but surely filling up their end at the East Stand here at what is now a very sunny Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe big question going into the game now is can Chelsea take advantage of Arsenal’s loss to Aston Villa and close the gap at the top of the Premier League table?
They face and out-of-form Bournemouth side and Enzo Maresca will be demanding an immediate response from his players after such a poor showing at Elland Road three days ago.
Kick-off approaching on the south coast
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Vitality Stadium!
Semenyo urged to leave Bournemouth
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLiverpool have been handed a potential transfer boost after Antoine Semenyo was urged to take “the next step” in his career.
The Reds are long-time admirers of the Bournemouth forward and continue to be heavily linked with a move for his services ahead of the January window.
However, Liverpool are likely to face a tough battle for Semenyo’s signature, with The Times reporting last weekend that Premier League rivals Manchester City were considering activating the player’s release clause next month.
Premier League result
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLate drama at Villa Park in today’s early kick-off as Emi Buendia scored a last minute winner to earn Aston Villa a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Chelsea have the chance to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table to six points.
Team news reminder
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Tavernier, Scott, Jimenez, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson
Substitutes: Dennis, Brooks, Hill, Araujo, Adli, Unal, Soler, Kroupi JR, Gonzalez
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James (c), Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Hato, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Guiu
Chelsea dressing room
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at the Vitality Stadium as the Chelsea dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Bournemouth changes
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth recall Marcos Senesi from suspension, while Evanilson is selected ahead of Eli Junior Kroupi in attack.
Dom Smith at Vitality Stadium
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI don't think there are too many surprises about the way Chelsea line up this afternoon. It's a boost to have Cole Palmer available to start for the first time since mid-September, but we don't expect him to play the full match.
For the first time in the Premier League since he joined this summer, Joao Pedro does not start, with Liam Delap preferred up front.
Reece James returning to the midfield was inevitable. They were so flat in the middle of the part when Andrey Santos partnered Enzo Fernandez there against Leeds on Wednesday.
Palmer starts
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDom Smith is in position for us at the Vitality Stadium and has delivered his reaction to the Chelsea team news!
🗣 "Having him back from the start will be positive for Chelsea."@MrDomSmith gives his thoughts on Cole Palmer's return to the Chelsea XI against Bournemouth!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 6, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/nlX3FiUoQe#BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/iyvC3UcaiN
Chelsea changes
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSIX changes for Chelsea this afternoon, and it’s no real surprise after Wednesday’s showing at Elland Road.
Reece James, Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana among those who are recalled by Enzo Maresca.
Bournemouth team in full
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth XI: Petrovic; Truffert, Senesi, Scott, Evanilson, Smith, Tavernier, Diakite, Kluivert, Jimenez, Semenyo.
Substitutes: Dennis, Brooks, Hill, Araujo, Adli, Unal, Soler, Kroupi JR, Gonzalez
Chelsea team in full
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James (c), Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Hato, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Guiu
CONFIRMED BOURNEMOUTH TEAM NEWS
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd lining up for the hosts...
Your #afcb team for #BOUCHE ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TL6kTXhtuR
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 6, 2025
CONFIRMED CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Chelsea team Enzo Maresca has selected to face Bournemouth...
📄 Representing Chelsea today!#CFC | #BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/fHkRpCCfsy
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 6, 2025
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live: Team news imminent
13:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced within the next five minutes.
Stay tuned...
Enzo Maresca reveals Chelsea regret
13:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has admitted he regrets making the mistake of not selecting Josh Acheampong to start against Leeds.
Maresca named Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo in central defence in Wednesday’s league game at Elland Road, but an individual error from Tosin allowed Leeds to score their third goal in a surprise 3-1 win that saw Chelsea drop down to fourth in the league table.
Wesley Fofana is having his minutes managed by the club so was not in the squad for the game.
Acheampong, the 19-year-old Chelsea academy graduate, has only played eight minutes since lasting the full 90 minutes of the 4-3 Carabao Cup win at Wolves at the end of October, yet Maresca admitted not starting him at Leeds was an error of judgement.
Scott calls for unity
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth midfielder Alex Scott stressed the need for squad to “stick together as a team” ahead of the Chelsea game.
The Cherries suffered their first home defeat of the season against Everton on Tuesday night, making it five games without a win.
Scott, though, believes the squad will remain united amid a difficult run of form.
He said: “The head coach has spoken to us about not being far off that level we were at the start of this season. It’s not a massive drop off, it’s just these past five games we’ve not picked up points.
“We probably deserved points in the last five and maybe didn’t deserve some points at the start of the season. It’s one of them. It’s football. It’s how it goes.
“We’ve got to stick together as a team. We’ve got suspensions and injuries and it’s tough but that’s the Premier League, every team is dealing with that.
“It’s down to us to stick together. Different lads who have not been playing maybe taking their chance now.“It’s a chance for different players to maybe come in and take their opportunity.”
Chelsea squad players handed blow
13:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has landed a blow to Chelsea’s squad players after he appeared to suggest that he cannot trust them to always maintain the high levels set by regular starters.
Chelsea received criticism for their flat performance in Wednesday’s night’s 3-1 defeat at Leeds, when Maresca made five changes from last weekend’s draw with Arsenal.
Maresca has indicated his reluctance to rotate despite having to carefully manage the minutes of certain injury-prone players like captain James and centre-back Wesley Fofana.
It comes after he admitted he regretted not starting Josh Acheampong against Leeds and appeared to criticise Tosin Adarabioyo for not “playing well” at Elland Road.
Latest score
13:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt's half time at Villa Park in a fixture that is of great interest to Chelsea.
Aston Villa lead Arsenal by a goal-to-nil. As things stand, Chelsea will have the chance to cut the gap at the top of the Premier League table to six points.
Predicted Chelsea XI
13:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca is expected to make significant changes to his team for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.
Maresca tinkered with his starting lineup for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with struggling Leeds, but his five changes from the draw against Arsenal backfired badly as the Blues lost 3-1 at Elland Road.
There could yet be more alterations as Chelsea look for an immediate response when they face the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Cucurella, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Fernandez, James; Garnacho, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Enzo Maresca faces difficult Chelsea conundrum
13:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca revealing that having to rotate his team has been his “most difficult” challenge of the season is a rather starker admission, writes Dom Smith.
It was only a week ago that Chelsea were being cautiously tipped as potential title contenders and possibly Arsenal’s closest challengers.
But a week is a long time in football, and for the players on the pitch at Elland Road, it will have felt as though Wednesday’s damaging 3-1 defeat to Leeds was never going to end.
Maresca’s side face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon, and the Italian was left dishing out home truths as he spoke to the media on Friday.
Today's settings
13:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA rare 3pm kick-off for Chelsea in the Premier League!
Bournemouth vs Chelsea latest match odds
13:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBournemouth to win: 23/10
Chelsea to win: 10/11
Draw: 9/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea emerged victorious in the corresponding fixture last season with Robert Sanchez saving a penalty from Evanilson before Christopher Nkunku’s late winner.
Bournemouth wins: 5
Chelsea wins: 15
Draws: 3
Bournemouth vs Chelsea prediction
12:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is a game both teams will feel they need to win on the back of losses in midweek.
This is a tough one to predict, but we think Chelsea have enough quality to capitalise on Bournemouth’s bad run of form to get back to winning ways.
Chelsea to win, 2-1.
Bournemouth team news
12:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Cherries will be without Tyler Adams because of suspension after the versatile midfielder was cautioned for a fifth time in the Premier League this season against Everton.
Lewis Cook serves the second of his three-match ban after being shown a red card in the loss to Sunderland.
Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie are out injured, but Marcos Senesi and David Brooks are available for Bournemouth again after serving bans. Veljko Milosavljevic is a major doubt and Matai Akinmboni is out.
Chelsea team news: James to be recalled
12:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea remain without Moises Caicedo because of suspension, while Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill are all out injured.
Reece James and Wesley Fofana are expected to be recalled to the starting XI after being rested against Leeds.
Cole Palmer could make his first start since September 20.
How to watch
12:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith at the ground.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm GMT, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea live
12:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Bournemouth vs Chelsea!
Can Chelsea bounce back from the midweek disappointment against Leeds? Enzo Maresca's side had been unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions prior to visiting Elland Road and will be out to prove the result was just a minor blip.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 3pm GMT from the Vitality Stadium. Stick with us!
