CHERRIES played out a well-fought draw with Chelsea at Vitality Stadium, neither side able to find the breakthrough as the game finished goalless.

Dango Ouattara came closest to netting for Cherries, while Chelsea struck the woodwork twice, through Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling.

The hosts are still seeking a first Premier League win this season, but will take encouragement from a first clean sheet of the campaign.

Andoni Iraola made three changes to the side which drew at Brentford before the international break. Marcus Tavernier and Ouattara made their first starts of the season after recovering from injury, while Lloyd Kelly also returned to the side.

Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert and Marcos Senesi all dropped to the bench, where they were joined by new signing Luis Sinisterra. Wales duo Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore missed out on a place in the matchday squad.

Players were struggling to keep their footing during the initial skirmishes as the rain poured, Chelsea making the early running.

A low shot from Enzo Fernandez was comfortable for Neto, before Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross was deflected off target from captain Conor Gallagher’s effort.

Nicolas Jackson, a transfer target for Cherries in January, then tried his luck from range. His shot hit the base of the post before going behind to safety.

But it was Cherries who created the clearest opening of the first half. They caught the visitors cold with a quickly taken free-kick down the channel to Ryan Christie, who crossed low to Ouattara at the back post.

The Burkina Faso international struck his effort well, but was denied by a brave sliding stop from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Neto was called into action at the other end before the half was out, getting down low to thwart Gallagher, who had been found in space in the box by Mudryk.

The game was very much there for the taking for either side and it was Chelsea who almost got their noses in front early in the second half.

After a clumsy challenge from Max Aarons on Mudryk just outside the box, Sterling lined up a free-kick.

The England international came agonisingly close to extending his impressive scoring record against Cherries, his effort striking the underside of the crossbar and down onto, but crucially not over, the line.

Levi Colwill slammed in on the rebound, but had strayed into an offside position.

Cherries responded, Lewis Cook’s half volley deflected into the grasp of Sanchez.

Iraola turned to his bench just past the hour mark, introducing Kluivert in place of Ouattara on the left wing.

Moments later, Neto had to be alert to swat away whilst on the floor, with Colwill poised to try and turn in the loose ball.

Kluivert then began causing problems, winning a free-kick on one flank before delivering a dangerous cross from the other, which Tavernier could not quite turn on target.

That was the last action for Tavernier, who was replaced by debutant Sinisterra, while Senesi came on for Milos Kerkez.

Philip Billing had a free-kick deflected just wide, before former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke had two opportunities as the game approached the final 10 minutes.

First he showed good footwork in the box to find space, before his shot was saved by the foot of Sanchez. Solanke then hung high to head for goal, his effort going wide of the post.

Back came Chelsea, Jackson’s header saved by Neto, before the Brazilian made a better stop to thwart substitute Cole Palmer. Senesi then threw himself in the way of the follow-up attempt.

Cherries looked for the breakthrough during the eight additional minutes, but could not secure a first league win of the season.

Cherries: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez (Senesi, 73); Tavernier (Sinisterra, 73), Cook, Billing, Ouattara (Kluivert, 63); Christie (Brooks, 89); Solanke.

Unused subs: Smith, Rothwell, Traore, Semenyo, Radu (g/k).

Booked: Kerkez.

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill (Chilwell, 80); Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Fernandez (Maatsen, 81); Sterling, Mudryk (Palmer, 63), Jackson.

Unused subs: Gilchrist, Matos, Stutter, Washington, Petrovic (g/k), Bergstrom (g/k).

Booked: Sterling, Mudryk, Disasi, Jackson.

Referee: David Coote.

VAR: Andrew Madley.