AFC Bournemouth returned to Premier League action on Saturday to host Chelsea at Dean Court.
Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola was still unable to select new signings Tyler Adams or Alex Scott as they continue to recover from injuries sustained prior to their signing on the south coast, however, Luis Sinisterra, who joined the club on loan from Leeds United prior to the transfer window closing was added to the match day squad.
Lloyd Kelly also returned to the starting XI, following some transfer-related shenanigans before the summer transfer window closed. The central defender, who is out of contract at the end of the season has been linked in the media with interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
The Cherries put on an entertaining performance against Chelsea, captain and goalkeeper Neto arguably enjoying one of his finer performances for the club making a couple of crucial saves, whilst the home side themselves had chances to win it.
Following the match Iraola told Sky Sports…
“We wanted the first win. Between 75 and 90 minutes we were pushing and the momentum was for us, but they are also a very dangerous team.
“We had a lot of crosses close to the six-yard box but we couldn’t do it. We were pushing until the end even with a point, the team wanted more and it was taking the options to counter, and I like this.
“It’s a point, it’s not a lot but facing a team like Chelsea is much better than losing.”
Man of the match against Chelsea
Neto
Cook
Christie
Aarons
Kelly
Someone else
Written by billythekid…
For a 0-0 draw it was enjoyable to watch.
That final last ball pass let us down at times today, but it was a good team performance and especially from our defence.
Cook had a very good game today and was everywhere.
Solanke was very unlucky not to score towards the end, but a great stop with his foot by the Chelsea keeper prevented a late home win.
Overall a draw was a fair result, watched by a crowd of 10,421.
Red_Dez…
So many overloads in that game it was jumpers for goalposts stuff, that game should never have finished 0-0 but the final ball/finishing was equally bad from both sides.
Aarons, Kerkez, Kelly, and Cook were outstanding, but thought most of our team was “on it” today, Django the outlier to that but we know he will have better days.
Bishop…
Good performances all around, Neto and Kelly’s best games. Cook played well, hopefully, the other midfielders will be fit soon to help out. Could’ve won but pleased with another hard-earned point.
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