Chelsea vs Bournemouth LIVE!
Chelsea lost ground in the race for the Champions League as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. In a high-octane affair in west London, Enzo Maresca’s side went into the clash three points adrift of Liverpool, with the Blues’ 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa last weekend dealing the west Londoners a real blow as the Reds leapfrogged them into the top four. Chelsea could not rediscover that winning formula, however, and found themselves behind inside seven minutes as they were caught out by an Antoine Semenyo long throw, which David Brooks met with a header that Robert Sanchez spilled, before the Welshman gobbled up the rebound.
The Blues were level not long after, with Semenyo the guilty party as he felled Estevao in the box. VAR deemed the contact worthy of a penalty, which Cole Palmer tucked away - just about - beyond Djordje Petrovic on the quarter-hour. Enzo Fernandez slammed home the second as Chelsea turned the game on its head just eight minutes later, arrowing an effort into the top corner to leave Petrovic rooted to the spot. However, the hosts were undone once more by the long throw, as Semenyo’s launch into the area on 27 minutes found its way through to Justin Kluivert, who had ghosted in at the far stick to bundle home from the flick-on. Reece James and Pedro Neto were introduced by Maresca at the interval to instil some calm into a fraught affair, but it was Estevao down the left, switching from the right to accommodate Neto, who injected further adrenaline into the encounter.
Neto was a threat down the right, as he sought out Liam Delap in the middle after excellent feet from Estevao to start up a sweeping move that deserved the finish that the Chelsea centre-forward could not produce. he Blues continued to knock on the Bournemouth door in the second period, but they could just not find that elusive winner. The result will feel like two dropped points for the west Londoners, who missed the chance to pile the pressure on Liverpool in the race for the top four.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth latest news
- GOAL! Kluivert equalises
- GOAL! Fernandez slams home second
- GOOD SAVE! Sanchez denies Brooks
- GOAL! Palmer levels from spot
- GOAL! Brooks bundles home
Chelsea player ratings
22:02 , Oli GentDom Smith was on hand to rate the Chelsea players this evening.
FT: Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:30 , Oli GentThere we have it.
What a game, but a fair result in the end.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE action.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:28 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Estevao is replaced by Jamie Gittens.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:27 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: What a chance! Unal squanders the golden opportunity as Adli puts it on a plate for the Turkish striker, but he leans back and balloons it over from close range!
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:25 , Oli Gent90 mins: Four added minutes.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:22 , Oli Gent88 mins: Liam Delap is off for Andrey Santos. “What a waste of money,” the Bournemouth fans chant at the striker.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:19 , Oli Gent85 mins: Tavernier is booked for a pull on Caicedo.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:17 , Oli Gent84 mins: Enes Unal replaces Evanilson.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:17 , Oli Gent83 mins: Estevao shows lightning pace to get away from Jimenez, looking for Joao Pedro, but the Brazilian’s final ball is lacking.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:13 , Oli Gent80 mins: Amine Adli is coming on for Brooks.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:12 , Oli Gent78 mins: What a chance! The ball breaks beautifully for Fernandez inside the Cherries’ box, but he leans back and sends his effort over the top with so much time!
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:10 , Oli Gent75 mins: Chelsea still probing for that winner as we enter the final quarter. Can they make the breakthrough?
Dom Smith reports
21:06 , Oli Gent71 mins: Estevao is starting to have a real impact in this game, toying with the Bournemouth defenders at the byline as Chelsea push for a goal that would regain their lead.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
21:03 , Oli Gent68 mins: A slight lull in this frantic affair. Who can find that elusive winner?
Dom Smith reports
20:58 , Oli Gent63 mins: Joao Pedro is coming on for Chelsea, in a game that has become increasingly fraught. Palmer is the man to make way, which has prompted some boos from Chelsea fans.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:53 , Oli Gent58 mins: Estevao again escapes down the left with a lovely shimmy to send Tavernier to the shops. Senesi snuffs out the cross at the death with Delap sliding in!
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:50 , Oli Gent56 mins: Close! What a chance and what a move from Chelsea. Estevao is at the heart of it with great feet to release Palmer. Neto is outside him, stands it up for Delap, who makes a mess of the header!
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:48 , Oli Gent54 mins: Clamours for a free kick as Palmer is felled on the edge of the box, but the referee says nothing doing as Bournemouth break. Fofana sweeps up, however, but the Cherries have another long throw opportunity.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:45 , Oli Gent51 mins: Estevao has moved to this left flank to accomodate Neto and let the Portuguese have a run at Truffert. The Brazilian is involved for the first time here in this second half as he cannons a shot off Jimenez.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:43 , Oli Gent49 mins: Semenyo almost invited to shoot as he shifts it onto his right cutting infield, but he squanders it, firing high and wide.
Kick off!
20:40 , Oli Gent46 mins: We are back underway, with Reece James and Pedro Neto on for the Blues, with Acheampong and Garnacho sacrificed.
HT: Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:23 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and what a first half we’ve had.
What will the second period have in store?
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:20 , Oli Gent45+6 mins: Gusto and Acheampong are now at right-back and left-back respectively, swapping sides.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:19 , Oli Gent45+4 mins: A super sliding challenge from Gusto on Kluivert as Chelsea continue to knock on the Bournemouth door. The Blues want a goal before half-time.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:16 , Oli Gent45+1 mins: Seven added minutes.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:15 , Oli Gent44 mins: What a touch and dummy from Estevao to leave Brooks in a heap as Chelsea counter. It comes to Palmer, now Fernandez who crosses for Estevao, but Truffert clears.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:11 , Oli Gent41 mins: A slight lull in what has been a high-octane encounter so far. Who can find the next goal, and can they do it before the break?
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:07 , Oli Gent38 mins: Close! A delicious delivery from Garnacho as Estevao wins the aerial duel at the far post, and looks to direct it back across goal. It evades Delap, and bounces just wide!
Dom Smith reports
20:05 , Oli Gent36 mins: Jimenez comes close and reminds Chelsea to keep focus at the back. What a frantic affair this is.
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:05 , Oli Gent34 mins: Close! Truffert does really well down the left to clip a ball into Evanilson at the near post, but the Brazilian can’t get the vital touch to turn it goalwards!
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:03 , Oli Gent33 mins: Every time I see it I always question Iraola’s decision to pick Tavernier and Scott as his midfield double pivot. It all just feels a bit too cavalier away from home when you’re on a dismal run of form...
Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
20:02 , Oli Gent31 mins: That’s wild from Gusto as he tries a speculative effort from range as he inverts off the left.
Goal! Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
19:58 , Oli Gent27 mins: The long throw causes Chelsea problems once more, as Bournemouth equalise through Kluivert. Semenyo launches one into the box, the flick-on lands for the Dutchman, who bundles home on the line.
Dom Smith reports
19:55 , Oli Gent25 mins: That's a stunning finish by Enzo Fernandez, who left nothing up to chance. Ruthless, rising effort into the top corner, assisted by Garnacho. Chelsea ahead.
Goal! Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
19:54 , Oli Gent23 mins: Oh, what a goal! Enzo Fernandez fires Chelsea in front, and that is some hit. On his 100th Premier League appearance for the Blues, the hosts lead.
Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth
19:51 , Oli Gent22 mins: Palmer takes it nicely on the half-turn and releases Delap down the right channel. He looks for Garnacho at the near post as Bournemouth can’t clear their lines, but Senesi finally hacks it away.
Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth
19:50 , Oli Gent19 mins: Good save! Bournemouth carve Chelsea apart as it’s worked nicely from left to right through Evanilson onto Brooks. He takes the touch on his right, but he fires straight at Sanchez! What a chance!
Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth
19:47 , Oli Gent18 mins: Caicedo is really walking a tightrope as he fells Evanilson while on a yellow. Free kick, Bournemouth.
Dom Smith reports
19:47 , Oli Gent17 mins: Despite his former colleague diving the right way, Palmer makes no mistake. He's one of the best penalty takers in the world and shows it again. Chelsea level.
Goal! Chelsea 1-1 Bournemouth
19:46 , Oli Gent15 mins: The Blues are level, and it’s Cole Palmer! He sends it past Petrovic, and it’s 1-1.
Dom Smith reports
19:45 , Oli Gent14 mins: Semenyo is penalised for a close-call foul, but one that is just enough for referee Sam Barratt to award it after a VAR review. Chelsea can level up here.
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
19:44 , Oli Gent14 mins: Penalty! The Blues have a spot kick, and Semenyo is the guilty party.
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
19:43 , Oli Gent13 mins: Estevao is furious, screaming at the linesman, and VAR has instructed the referee to go the monitor...
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
19:42 , Oli Gent12 mins: Incidents at both ends in double-quick time. Estevao thinks he was clipped by Semenyo in the box as the home fans clamour for a penalty, and Evanilson goes up the other end and his effort is tame and straight at Sanchez!
Dom Smith reports
19:40 , Oli Gent10 mins: And now Chelsea are behind after seven minutes, and it's a disastrous start for the Blues.
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
19:39 , Oli Gent8 mins: VAR are checking... but goal stands!
Goal! Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
19:37 , Oli Gent7 mins: Bournemouth are ahead, and it’s David Brooks who forces home! Semenyo with the long throw that Chelsea just don’t deal with, and it falls for the Welshman, who heads it at Sanchez, and gobbles up the rebound!
Chelsea 0-0 Bournemouth
19:36 , Oli Gent6 mins: The free kick is lofted up to Senesi at the far post, and the Argentine knocks it down for Evanilson, who is rooted to the spot!
Dom Smith reports
19:35 , Oli Gent5 mins: Already, Moises Caicedo has earned a one-game suspension as he hauls down Truffert with a cynical clip. It's what Chelsea do best.
Chelsea 0-0 Bournemouth
19:32 , Oli Gent2 mins: Early corner for Chelsea as Delap starts with a run into the channel, cannoning a cross into Truffert and behind. The corner is whipped in by Estevao, but Truffert clears.
Kick off!
19:30 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway at Stamford Bridge.
Five minutes to kick off
19:25 , Oli GentThe players are on their way out, and we’re about to get going at Stamford Bridge.
Ten minute warning!
19:20 , Oli GentWe are nearing kick off in west London.
Who will come out on top here?
Famous faces
19:15 , Oli GentCentral Cee is in the building tonight.
Central Cee in the house wearing some bling. #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/MoANjsTmQJ
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) December 30, 2025
As for Chelsea...
19:05 , Oli Gent... Estevao is back on the right, as Maresca shuffles his pack.
Interesting to see Achaeampong and Gusto as the full-backs, with Gusto on his weaker side. Perhaps areas for the Cherries to look to exploit this evening.
Reece James is on the bench, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield, while Cole Palmer is ahead of them. Will he make the full 90 minutes?
Liam Delap is also up top in place of Joao Pedro, having injured his shoulder in the reverse fixture earlier this month.
Semenyo starts!
19:01 , Oli GentA big game for Antoine Semenyo in what could be his last appearance for Bournemouth this evening.
He has been linked with a move to Manchester City in January, after Chelsea distanced themselves from a deal to sign the winger earlier in December.
Dom Smith reports
18:50 , Oli GentThere is an element of the unknown about Chelsea's line-up today, with ever-present Marc Cucurella absent through injury and Reece James and Joao Pedro both rested and on the bench.
It means Estevao Willian starts in attack and that Malo Gusto and young Josh Acheampong are the two full-backs. Maresca will be hoping that it all works out.
Bournemouth lineup
18:45 , Oli GentBournemouth XI: Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Subs: Adli, Araujo, Dennis, Diakite, Kroupi, Rees-Dottin, Smith, Soler, Unal
Chelsea lineup
18:40 , Oli GentChelsea XI: Sanchez; Acheampong, Chalobah, Fofana, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho, Delap
Subs: Tosin, Buonanotte, Gittens, James, Pedro, Jorgensen, Neto, Santos, Badiashile
Dom Smith reports
18:30 , Oli GentDom Smith gives his pre-match thoughts ahead of this one...
Chelsea 🆚 Bournemouth
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 30, 2025
🕢 7.30pm GMT
🏟️ Stamford Bridge
🏆 Premier League
🎙️ @MrDomSmith
LIVE: https://t.co/W6mPdkFdIH#CHEBOU
Race for the top four
18:20 , Oli GentChelsea lost their footing in the race for the top four last weekend with their defeat by Aston Villa.
They couldn’t keep up with Liverpool, who beat Brighton earlier in the day to leapfrog them into fourth.
Now, they have Manchester United breathing down their necks after Ruben Amorim’s side beat Newcastle 1-0.
The Blues are three points behind Liverpool in fifth, and are level with United, who sit sixth.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
18:10 , Oli GentA huge clash at the top of the Premier League as Unai Emery visits his former club this evening.
Also tonight!
18:00 , Oli GentUganda take on Nigeria in an entertaining AFCON clash.
Head to head record
17:50 , Oli GentChelsea wins: 15
Bournemouth wins: 5
Draws: 4
Standard Sport prediction
17:45 , Oli GentChelsea were superb in the first half against Aston Villa, and more of the same against one of the most porous defences in the league will surely bear fruit.
Chelsea’s attack was rampant and littered the Villa goal with shots, so are good enough to rack up enough chances to give the Cherries another tough afternoon in west London.
The big danger is, of course, Semenyo. Will he have a goodbye gift up his sleeve?
Chelsea to win, 2-0.
Bournemouth team news
17:40 , Oli GentDavid Brooks, Evanilson and Justin Kluivert will all be pushing to start after coming off the bench against Brentford, so Bournemouth could boast a completely changed attack in west London.
Antoine Semenyo could be playing his final game for Bournemouth ahead of a suspected move to Chelsea. Veljko Milosavljevic, Tyler Adams and Ben Doak remain sidelined.
Chelsea team news
17:35 , Oli GentChelsea face a nervous wait over Marc Cucurella after the defender asked to be substituted against Villa with a suspected hamstring injury. He will undergo scans on the problem area. Fellow left-sided defender Jorrel Hato is expected to miss out with an injury.
Liam Delap and Estevao came off the bench against Villa, marking their returns from injury, and both could start as Enzo Maresca continues to shuffle his pack. Wesley Fofana was another on the bench at the weekend, but should come back in in place of Benoit Badiashile.
How to watch
17:30 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Main Event starting at 6.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
Hello and welcome!
17:23 , Oli Gent... to our LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Bournemouth.
The Blues take on the Cherries looking to get back to winning ways after two games without a victory either side of Christmas.
They are also out to retake their place in the top four, where they were leapfrogged by Liverpool last weekend.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 7.30pm GMT.
