Chelse captain Reece James rescued a crucial point with a stunning 95th-minute free kick, securing a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday.
James, who recently returned from a long injury layoff, delivered a perfectly curled shot into the far corner, leaving Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers helpless and sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.
Chelsea’s Early Dominance
Chelsea dominated the first half, with Cole Palmer opening the scoring in the 23rd minute.
The in-form midfielder, netting his 14th Premier League goal of the season, finished a brilliant move set up by Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson evaded three Bournemouth players on the halfway line before threading a precise pass to Palmer, who coolly dummied Travers and slotted the ball into the net.
The Blues had several opportunities to extend their lead, with Jackson, Palmer, and Enzo Fernández all testing Travers, but they failed to capitalize on their chances.
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Bournemouth’s Second-Half Fightback
Bournemouth turned the game on its head in the second half. Three minutes after the restart, Moisés Caicedo brought down Antoine Semenyo in the box, allowing Justin Kluivert to equalize from the penalty spot, sending goalkeeper Robert Sánchez the wrong way.
The visitors stunned Chelsea further in the 67th minute when Semenyo outpaced 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong and fired a powerful near-post shot past Sánchez to give Bournemouth a 2-1 lead.
Travers was instrumental in keeping Bournemouth ahead, making several crucial saves to deny Jackson, who remained Chelsea’s most dangerous player throughout the match.
James Saves the Day
With time running out, Chelsea earned a free kick just outside the box in the 95th minute.
James, a product of the Chelsea academy, stepped up and delivered a perfectly placed shot into the top corner, rescuing a point for his side.
The goal marked a moment of relief for James, who has been plagued by injuries this season.
League Standings and Implications
The draw means Chelsea remain in fourth place with 37 points from 21 matches, while Bournemouth, who showcased impressive resilience, sit seventh with 34 points.
Post-Match Reactions
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca praised his captain’s character, saying,
“Reece has shown incredible resilience to come back and deliver in such a crucial moment. We should’ve won the game with the chances we had, but his goal shows the spirit of this team.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola applauded his team’s fight.
“We showed great determination, especially in the second half. It’s disappointing to concede so late, but I’m proud of the performance.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With five league games without a win, Chelsea will need to find consistency to maintain their top-four spot as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth continues to prove they are no pushovers, eyeing a strong finish in the league.
This thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge underscores the competitiveness of the Premier League, where every moment can change the course of a game.
