Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth result - Premier League reaction as Reece James scores late equaliser versus in-form Cherries

Reece James scored an injury-time free-kick on his first Premier League appearance since October to salvage a 2-2 draw for Chelsea at home to Bournemouth.

Things had started so well for Chelsea, who created multiple clear-cut chances in the first half and led through a lovely Cole Palmer goal - tucking home after a feint left the goalkeeper on the floor - but they were made to rue profligate finishing.

The Cherries were much-improved after the break and equalized via Justin Kluivert's confident penalty, after Antoine Semenyo was bundled over. The excellent Semenyo fired Bournemouth ahead from a tight angle 18 minutes later, with Bournemouth well on top in the interval.

There was a contentious moment when a pitchside review of David Brooks clotheslining Marc Cucurella, in crude payback for a nasty block the Spaniard laid on Brooks in the first half, only resulted in a yellow card, but Chelsea would be kidding only themselves if they blamed that for the result.

James' equalizer leaves Chelsea on 37 points, still fourth, and three above seventh-place Bournemouth. The Cherries are unbeaten in a club-record nine Premier League games; Chelsea are winless in their last five.

They have surrendered leads against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Fulham in recent weeks, on top of a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich.

On his goal: "I knew the free-kick was [within] shooting distance and I felt like that side of the goal was open. So I tried to finish it as well as I could."

On what scoring for the first time in two years felt like: "There was a period where I was scoring quite frequently and I haven't had that in a long time through injuries and setbacks. So I'm happy to be back with the team and I'm happy to get on the scoresheet again and help the team get a point."

On if a draw was a fair result: "To be honest I don't [agree]. I think we had a few clear-cut chances that we should have taken in the first half and maybe put the game to bed. But if you don't take chances that can come back to bite you on the a**e."

On the Brooks VAR incident: "To be fair I didn't really see what happened, but when the referee ever goes to look at the monitor that's usually not a good sign."

On watching England manager Thomas Tuchel: "I worked under him. He knows my capabilities. I just need to get a run of games and playing again."

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A great moment for him, on a night the England manager was watching at Stamford Bridge.

"Bournemouth without a doubt [will be happier with the draw]. That is a game where lessons can be learned - Chelsea absolutely stunning in the first half, great football, it could have been three or four. Then a little lull, a lack of concentration in the second half, you allow Bournemouth to get back in the game, they open it up and then they controlled large parts of the second half.

"Chelsea then come back into it, showed a lot of character, but I still think there's growth in this team and I think Owen said it perfectly in commentary. These are the games where you must take the lessons on board and you must put the teams to bed.

"Also, when there was difficult spells in the second half and the crowd get a bit agitated, that's when you need character."

So it's five Premier League games without a win for Chelsea, while Bournemouth are a club-record nine undefeated.

The manner of their late equaliser will make this easier for Chelsea to stomach - and they've also avoided going level on points with the Cherries - but the second-half slide should be a cause for concern. So too all those missed chances in the first half, when they could have put the game to bed.

Bournemouth will be annoyed not to win, given James' late goal, but their response to being torn apart in the opening period was admirable and when the dust has settled, this is a good point against a team with far loftier ambitions than them, at a time when they have plenty of injuries to contend with.

The corner is headed harmless wide by Adarabioyo and that's the last act of the game.

Huijsen slices a cross over his own goal. One last chance for Chelsea incoming.

A throw-in in the Chelsea half is taking a long time to be taken.

Neto does really well defending against Kerkez, then passes straight out of play. Chelsea are hunting for a winning here, with two minutes and change still to play.

The Chelsea captain is back alright!

James takes the free-kick and smashes it round the wall, in off the post. The goalkeeper was at that side of the goal, but caught out, and Chelsea are level!

Felix turns brilliantly and wins a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Momentarily some fans thought it was a penalty as Jackson and Huijsen were wrestling after Felix was felled.

First Adarabioyo concedes a time-consuming free-kick by the corner flag, then Kluivert lashes a long-range shot narrowly over.

Can Chelsea find an equalizer - maybe even more? Or will Bournemouth draw level on points with the Blues.

An excellent defensive header from Outtara, following much pushing and shoving which delayed the set piece.

Adarabioyo wins the header from the free-kick and loops it goalwards, forcing Travers to tip over.

Huijsen pulls down Jackson as the two chase a floated through ball. The presence of some potential covering defenders, and speed with which he chose to make the foul, probably save the teenager from a red card.

Now they stare down the barrel of defeat.

Cucurella has his pocket picked in the corner. Jebbison collects the following cross and unselfishly passes to Kluivert, whose first-time shot gets deflected wide.