The Blues went into half-time wondering how we were only 1-0 up after a completely dominant opening 45 minutes where we could have scored several more than Cole Palmer's opener.

But Bournemouth started the second period well and equalised through Justin Kluivert's penalty before Antoine Semenyo put the visitors in front with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The Blues had searched for the crucial second goal throughout but it looked as though we would be leaving empty-handed until the fifth minute of injury-time when James - who had come on as a substitute early in the second half - curled in a classy free-kick to secure the point.

Ten changes

Romeo Lavia was the only player to retain his place from the weekend as Enzo Maresca made ten alterations to his side.

Moises Caicedo started at right back, with Lavia and Enzo Fernandez in the midfield. The centre-back partnership was once again made in Cobham, as Levi Colwill was joined by Josh Acheampong.

Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho were back on the flanks, with Nicolas Jackson leading the line.

Chelsea started brightly, as Palmer almost released Enzo Fernandez with only 30 seconds on the clock, and the England international had a free-kick saved inside six minutes.

And the game's opening goal arrived soon after as some exceptional hold-up play from Jackson took three defenders out of the game and he slipped in Palmer. The 22-year-old's dummy when through one-on-one saw Mark Travers dive to the floor and Palmer calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0.

Chelsea were completely dominant and another neat turn, this time by Fernandez, saw the Argentine drive towards the box and force Travers into a save low to his right from 20 yards.

Jackson may not have scored for four matches coming into this game but he continues to have a huge impact on his team's performance. More outstanding hold-up play saw the striker roll his marker and drive towards the box before striking a shot which rebounded off the post.

So close

Palmer was another player who had a big influence on proceedings in the first half and he had an effort from outside the box palmed away by Travers.

The Blues continued to search for a second as we approached half-time, as Sancho had a goal-bound shot blocked and Madueke almost got through after being released by Lavia.

All that was missing from Jackson's first-half display was a goal and he went agonisingly close just before the break. His header from close range was well saved by Travers and the left-footed rebound hit the side-netting.

Early penalty

For all of Chelsea's first-half dominance, Bournemouth equalised five minutes into the second half when Lavia was dispossessed 40 yards from goal and Caicedo bundled over Semenyo in the box. Kluivert stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

There was another big moment soon after as referee Robert Jones was sent to the VAR screen after David Brooks brought Cucurella down off the ball. But to the surprise of Chelsea's fans, a yellow card, rather than a red, was awarded.

Jackson continued to be a threat and he had a shot squirm just wide after Travers was unable to make clean contact on the save.

It was then Sanchez's turn to make the stop when a well-worked Bournemouth corner saw Brooks have a shot from eight yards out.

Blues behind

For all of the Chelsea pressure thus far, it was Bournemouth who took the lead on 68 minutes when Semenyo was given the ball just inside the Blues area and he created the half yard needed to fire a shot into the near top corner.

Jackson looked like he might grab an immediate equaliser when he was passed the ball deep inside the Bournemouth penalty area but Dean Huijsen produced a brilliant last-gasp diving block.

The Senegalese was giving the Bournemouth defenders a tough night and he had another shot saved after running in-behind and striking early.

Bournemouth might have added a third had it not been for a great last-ditch block by Tosin from a Kluivert shot, and the Chelsea centre-back was also close to grabbing an equaliser when he headed towards the top corner, but Travers made another fine save.

What a story!

It looked as though the Blues would be heading for defeat but in the fourth minute of injury-time, Joao Felix produced a neat turn and won a free-kick 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Reece James, our captain, in his first Premier League outing since November 10, to curl a free-kick beyond the diving Travers and in off the post.

Both teams continued to search for a winner and Tosin headed a corner wide in the ninth minute of injury-time but there wasn't to be another goal. It was to be a point apiece.

What it means

Chelsea remain in fourth, two points above fifth-place Newcastle United and three behind Arsenal in third, with both sides having a game in hand.

What's next

Chelsea now have six days to wait until our next game, with another home Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Caicedo (Joao Felix 81), Acheampong (Tosin 71), Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia (James 56), Fernandez (c); Madueke (Neto 81), Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Gusto, Veiga, Nkunku, Guiu
Bookings: Jackson 32, Lavia 51
Scorers: Palmer 13, James 90+5

AFC Bournemouth: Travers; Hill (Kluivert 23), Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Brooks (Jebbison 83), Christie, Semenyo; Dango
Subs not used: Dennis, Adu-Adjei, Sadi, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin
Bookings: Brooks 45,Christie 45+2, Huijsen 87
Scorers: Kluivert 50 (p), Semenyo 68

Referee: Robert Jones
Attendance: 39,092