Sanchez urges Chelsea to keep going after redemption attempt in Bournemouth draw

Robert Sanchez called on Chelsea to stay optimistic despite missing the chance to get back to winning ways after a goalless draw away to Bournemouth.

Enzo Maresca's side failed to win for a third straight Premier League game, leaving them fourth and looking over their shoulder with Everton just a point behind.

Crystal Palace could also leapfrog them into the top four with victory away at Fulham on Sunday, as a drab draw left Chelsea eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Sanchez impressed at the Vitality Stadium, making five fine saves as Chelsea survived a wave of pressure from Andoni Iraola's side in the first half on Saturday.

Having lost 3-1 away to Leeds United on Wednesday, Sanchez felt his side had improved, even if they did not come away with all three points from the south coast.

"Coming from a loss in the last game, we wanted to redeem ourselves," Sanchez told Premier League Productions. 

"I think we played well. We kept a clean sheet and didn't lose the game. We take the point and go into the next game needing three points.

"Bournemouth are a great team. They have a lot of intensity and we had to deal with that and see how the game went after. We were able to manage the game."

Chelsea did, at least, manage to keep a fourth clean sheet in five away league games – more shutouts than they managed in their previous 19 matches on the road in the competition (three).

However, they also failed to score for the first time in 14 Premier League games since a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in August on the opening weekend of the season.

It could have been a different story as well, if not for Antoine Semenyo seeing an early goal ruled out for an Evanilson offside spotted in the build-up following a VAR check.

"He said to keep doing the same and they will get tired and we'll get opportunities," Sanchez said of Maresca's half-time encouragement.

"I didn't have much to do, so I was getting a bit cold [in the second half]. [Antoine] Semenyo will get a shot off at any moment so you have to be ready and I was.

"We know what our goal is and our quality. We have to keep going."

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their last six league games, dating back to late October.

They still had 13 attempts against Chelsea, their most without scoring in a Premier League home game since February against Liverpool (14).

"I'm pleased with the performance. We played a really solid game," Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told BBC's Match of the Day.

"You have to value the point. We were playing a very good team. They can also score. One point is not a lot but we value it.

"I'm very happy. I think Alex Scott playing a six, he played one of his best games. Even Justin [Kluivert] and [David] Brooksy helped us from the number 10.

"We wanted to improve and we are defending better now. I'm happy because we definitely did very well."