Chelsea’s top-four hopes in jeopardy after Bournemouth stalemate

Nicolas Jackson
Photo: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Chelsea’s aspirations for a top-four Premier League finish are under threat following a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues initially led through Cole Palmer’s early goal, but defensive lapses allowed Bournemouth to overturn the deficit with goals from Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo. Captain Reece James salvaged a point with a stoppage-time free-kick, yet the result extends Chelsea’s winless run to five league matches. 

This sequence of results has seen Chelsea slip to fourth place in the standings, with 37 points, precariously close to dropping out of the Champions League qualification spots. 

Manager Enzo Maresca, who previously stated that the club’s hierarchy had not set a top-four finish as a mandatory target, now faces mounting pressure to reverse the team’s fortunes. 

The upcoming fixtures are critical for Chelsea as they seek to regain momentum and secure their place among Europe’s elite for the next season.

The recent draw against Bournemouth, a team dealing with significant injuries yet extending their unbeaten run to nine games, highlights the challenges that lie ahead for the Blues.