Bournemouth have won two of their last five Premier League games, even though it is better than Chelsea Howe will still be expecting more from his players.
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Guus Hiddink’s side went into the break in front and the Dutchman resisted the temptation to make any changes in defence, despite John Obi Mikel struggling in n unusual role at centre back.
Hiddink has confirmed that Eden Hazard is set to return from his injury setback and could play a part in the game.
Chelsea will surrender their league title to either Tottenham or Leicester in the coming weeks, and the club’s supporters are desperate for rivals Spurs not to claim the crown.
“I was watching (thinking) ‘how is it possible?’ Chelsea being champions, losing, with all respect, to a club that had just come up to the Premier League”.
The Cherries drifted out of the contest as the game drew on, but Callum Wilson stepped off the bench for the third consecutive game as he continues his positive recovery from a seven-month injury lay-off. The point however leaves them in 19th position, level with Sunderland who have two games in hand.
“We are very pleased with the [team] performance, especially in the second half”.
Asked if it would be an embarrassment if Chelsea lost to Bournemouth for a second time this season, Hiddink added: “Embarrassing is a word, yes, you might use it”.
“[Eden Hazard’s performance?] We worked for the last 10 days with him with the group, looking at his way of moving”.
The impressive Fabregas turned on the style in the closing stages, and he played Hazard in with a breathtaking first-time, back-heeled pass, only for the Belgian to square the ball to Costa when the shot was on, and the Spain global squandered the chance.
“It was good discipline and good to see some players who have been absent recently, scoring goals”.
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“The difference between the teams was how they finished their goals. [There was] nothing at stake but we talked about our pride and how we like to play football and I think we showed it”, Hiddink told Sky Sports.
