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Chelsea's bizarrely awful season continued yesterday evening when they were beaten at home by Bournemouth.
It was the reigning champions' eighth defeat in the Premier League this season and a result that left them three points above the relegation zone after 15 matches.
For a side that dominated the league last season with virtually the exact same side, the results produced by Jose Mourinho's side this term have been almost incomprehensibly; a stat from the latest defeat highlights just how troubled the club are.
Chelsea lost at Stamford Bridge to a newly-promoted promoted side for the first time since 2001, making it the first time it has happened since Roman Abramovich arrived in west London with his many roubles. The last time it happened was in December 2001 when they lost to Charlton.
It is a stat that Mourinho will hope has escaped the attention for the club's Russian billionaire owner, who was in attendance at yesterday's game.
Show all 12 1 /12Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10 For most of the game, he proved just why Mourinho said Chelsea have sorely missed him these last three months. The Belgian returned from injury to make multiple saves and deny Bournemouth as the visitors dominated the play in the first half and looked assured and confident in goal. But he has to take a lot of the blame for Bournemouth's winner after deciding to come out and being left stranded.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Branislav Ivanovic - 5 out of 10 Struggled to deal with the pace of Stanislas on the right flank early on, with the Bournemouth winger nearly scoring twice in the first period. Contained him as the game progressed and then began to push forwards - nearly creating a goal in the process. However, he didn't do enough to stop Cook from crossing in the ball from which Murray scored.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Gary Cahill - 6 out of 10 Was forced to produce some last-ditch defending to deny Bournemouth in the first half, and regularly came out of position to try and clear the danger. But should have done more to follow the run of Murray or at least communicate better with Zouma to ensure he was marked in the build-up to the winner.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Kurt Zouma - 6 out of 10 Didn't have the best of games and failed to mark Murray before he scored although his pace was important in tracking back and defending when the visitors went on the counter.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Bab Rahman - 6 out of 10 Did well, as ever, going forwards and contributing to Chelsea's attacking play but left spaces behind that Smith and Ritchie exploited, particularly in the first half. Will need to work on that area of his game if he wants to cement his spot in Mourinho's team.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Nemanja Matic - 5 out of 10 Really struggled to impose himself in midfield and allowed the likes of Surman, Arter and Gosling to run riot early on. Should have headed in the opener later, but didn't seem ready for Willian's cross and ended up directing the ball high.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Cesc Fabregas - 4 out of 10 Failed to control proceedings in the middle of the park and made a hash of an early chance when he kicked the ball out instead of to one of his teammates in the box. His struggles this season continue.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Willian - 6 out of 10 Started the game on the right flank but was shifted into the hole behind Costa at half time. Proved a threat at times, but didn't have the kind of impact he has had in previous games.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Oscar - 5 out of 10 Endured a largely disappointing 45 minutes after tamely driving Hazard's cross at goal towards Boruc and then seeing his best effort saved by the Bournemouth goalkeeper minutes later. Despite growing into the game as it progressed, he was brought off for Costa at half time.
Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10 Worked really hard to get forward and try and create goal-scoring opportunities - coming close to scoring on several occasions - while setting up Hazard for a superb chance. Tracked back and defended too, which earned him a yellow card.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10 Didn't have the same impact up front in the lone striker position as he did against Tottenham. While he certainly tried to score - forcing Boruc into a superb save after he had cut in and driven at goal - he kept dropping onto the flank or deep to collect the ball leaving a gap up front. Saw his effectiveness wane when Costa came on, but Mourinho will be pleased to see the Belgian contributing to Chelsea's defensive play, although he was dispossessed which nearly resulted in Bournemouth scoring.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth <b>Best off the bench:</b> Diego Costa - 6 out of 10 Was kept on the bench, similar to against Tottenham, but was brought on at half-time to replace the ineffective Oscar. Was denied a penalty when his low shot hit Francis' arm in the area, and then was cautioned seconds later for a pull on Ritchie. Seemed to let his frustration get the better of him although he provided Chelsea with a more attacking threat up front.
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Just to compound how dreadful the result was for Chelsea, it was the first time Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side managed to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League.
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