We had more of the possession at the Vitality Stadium but had to wait until early in the second half for our first effort on target as we struggled to create clear-cut chances, while at the other end, Robert Sanchez had to make several smart stops to deny the hosts.

The Blues created more opportunities in the second period, as Alejandro Garnacho hit the post and the likes of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez forced saves, but it was to no avail and we head home with just a point.

Six changes

There was a first start since mid-September for Palmer, as he lined up in the No.10 role behind Liam Delap up top.

There were six changes from the side that lost to Leeds United, as Enzo Maresca reverted to the back four that started against Arsenal.

Reece James lined up alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield, with Pedro Neto on the right flank and Alejandro Garnacho on the left.

It looked as though we had gone behind after just four minutes when Alex Scott picked out Evanilson with a low pass into the box and while the Blues recovered in time to block his shot, Antoine Semenyo applied the finish from close range. However, after a lengthy delay, VAR ruled Evanilson had strayed into an offside position and the goal was chalked off.

There was another moment of worry for the travelling fans a minute later when Justin Kluivert went down in the box from a tackle by Reece James, following Marcus Tavernier's shot which was parried, but again, we were glad to see the offside flag go up.

Chelsea were able to work the ball into the Bournemouth third with relative ease early on but on several occasions, our final ball was wayward. Our first chance of note came in the 21st minute when Pedro Neto's inswinging cross from the right to the far post was headed over the bar by Marc Cucurella.

Soon after a classy diagonal from James was taken perfectly in his stride by Neto as he burst into the box but Delap's shot from the pullback was blocked by a Bournemouth defender.

There was a blow for the Blues when Delap was forced off with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Marc Guiu.

Chelsea enjoyed two thirds of the possession during the opening 35 minutes but it was Bournemouth who were creating the clearer opportunities, and the home side went agonisingly close to scoring when Sanchez saved well from Semenyo's low drive across goal and Evanilson couldn't react quickly enough to direct the rebound in from close range.

We were always trying to probe, though, as a dangerous Garnacho cross almost led to a chance for Guiu and Neto curled a 20-yard effort wide of the far post.

But Bournemouth continued to carry a threat and Sanchez had to save twice in injury-time, first from a low drive by Scott and then from Semenyo, who then struck his follow-up into the side netting.

Bournemouth had ten shots in the first half, compared to our three, and the Cherries had another early into the second half when Tavernier dragged his effort from outside the area wide.

We had to wait for the 49th minute for our first shot on target, as Djordje Petrovic saved Neto's powerful low drive towards the near post, but it was the first of four chances in quick succession.

We went close again a minute later, when Garnacho hit the outside of the post with a header following Neto's cross from the right, and then Enzo Fernandez and Palmer had shots from just outside the area well held by Petrovic.

Both teams continued to search for the opener but the chances dried up somewhat as the half progressed, with a 20-yard effort from Guiu not powerful enough to trouble Petrovic.

The former Blues goalkeeper was a little more concerned as he dived across his goal when Garnacho cut inside from the left flank and struck a right-footed effort which flashed narrowly wide of the far post.

Estevao Willian was introduced in the 77th minute as we continued to search for the moment of quality which could unlock Bournemouth's defence and decide the contest.

But it was Bournemouth's danger man Semenyo who was next to go close, as he forced Sanchez into a save at his near post with a powerful left-footed drive.

Both teams kept searching for the winner but neither side could produce the moment of quality needed to break down the opposition and had to settle for a point.

What it means

While we did not secure the victory we would have hoped for, with Arsenal losing 2-1 at Aston Villa, the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to eight points and we currently occupy fourth position, five points below Villa and six behind Manchester City.

What's next

Chelsea's focus now turns to the Champions League, with a trip to Atalanta lying in wait on Tuesday night.

We will be back in Premier League action next Saturday when we host Everton in another Saturday 3pm kick off.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James (c), Enzo; Neto, Palmer (Joao Pedro 58), Garnacho (Estevao 77); Delap (Guiu 32)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Hato, Andrey Santos, Gittens
Bookings: Guiu 85, Neto 90+1

Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Senesi (Hill 62), Diakite, Truffert; Scott, Jimenez (Adli 74); Tevernier, Kluivert (Brooks 74), Semenyo; Evanilson (Unal 87)
Subs not used: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Unal, Dacosta Gonzalez

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: TBC