Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: Wasteful Blues drop more points as plucky Cherries earn well-deserved home draw

Chelsea hit the woodwork twice as they were forced to settle for a frantic 0-0 Premier League draw with a resolute Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Nicolas Jackson hit the post from distance in the first half, with Raheem Sterling's free-kick thumping the underside of the woodwork just after half-time before Levi Colwill was deemed offside after finishing on the rebound.

Bournemouth also had their chances with Robert Sanchez producing a fine stop late to deny former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke a late winner with his turn and shot.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have picked up only one win from their opening five league matches, but at least the point arrested a recent slump of away defeats.

Chelsea had been on a run of three straight losses away from home in the Premier League, including a 3-1 defeat at West Ham this season.

They had last lost four times on the bounce away from Stamford Bridge in the top flight 23 years ago.

It is easy to talk a good game in football management and while Mauricio Pochettino may feel Chelsea have deserved more than they have earned from their first few outings of the new campaign, the table does not lie.

Five points from five matches and 14th spot in the standings is not where any Chelsea fan feels their expensively assembled squad should be.

Especially in failing to break down a willing but limited Bournemouth team who had failed to win any of their past nine Premier League games.

The visitors were unfortunate to hit the post and bar, but too much of their play was pretty without carry any serious level of potency.

The time is over for talking at Chelsea, goals are needed after starting the season with only five of them - the London side's worst return after the first five matches in 28 years.

The visit of Aston Villa next Sunday takes on added significance.

The home full-back was handed a tough assignment in being forced to mark flying Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who started the match on fire in rainy Bournemouth before fading into the background and being taken off, with Aarons growing stronger as the game progressed.

Also had Raheem Sterling to deal with, but can be pleased with his contribution in helping his side earn a clean sheet to claim what could be a valuable point.

Bournemouth: Neto 8, Aarons 8, Zabarnyi 7, Kelly 7, Kerkez 7, Christie 6, Cook 7, Ouattara 6, Billing 7, Tavernier 7, Solanke 7 Subs: Brooks 6, Sinisterra 6, Kluivert 7, Senesi 6

Chelsea: Sanchez 7, Gusto 7, Disasi 7, Thiago Silva 7, Colwill 7, Gallagher 8, Ugochukwu 7, Sterling 7, Fernandez 7, Mudryk 6, Jackson 6 Subs: Palmer 6, Chilwell 6

5' STRONG SURGING PLAY BY CHELSEA Looking very vibrant in these opening exchanges as Mudryk gallops to the byline, but his cutback can't be converted by Gallagher with the ball spinning over the bar.

15' VISITORS HIT THE POST So unlucky. Nicolas Jackson with an effort from distance. Inches away from finding his second Chelsea goal as it spins off the outside of the post before dropping wide. Mudryk playing provider.

35' NETO TO THE RESCUE FOR BOURNEMOUTH What an important stop that is. Neto diving low to his right to block the shot by Gallagher. Superb piece of play by Mudryk to pick him out.

50' STUNNING EFFORT FROM STERLING Thumped in the free-kick from edge of box, but it comes back off the underside of bar and bounces along the line. How has that not gone in? Levi Colwill offside in converting the rebound.

81' SOLANKE SO CLOSE FOR BOURNEMOUTH This game suddenly wide open as the former Chelsea forward thumps a finish at goal from 10 yards, but decent stop by the boot of Sanchez on his right side.

87' NETO DENIES CHELSEA LATE WINNER Palmer with the shot at goal from the Sterling cross, but the home keeper does superbly well to react and keep that out. Ian Maatsen then saw his shot blocked. Frantic moments.

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