Bournemouth may have slipped into the bottom half after a six-game winless run, but there's still one table they top.
Renowned for their intense pressing under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries remain as relentless as ever out of possession despite their recent dip in form. That's why they have allowed fewer passes per defensive action (PPDA) than any other Premier League side this season.
PPDA measures how long teams allow opponents to keep the ball before breaking up play - whether by making a tackle, intercepting a stray pass, or even conceding a foul. Sides that press aggressively post lower PPDA figures, while those content to sit deep and absorb pressure record higher numbers.
It is restricted to defensive actions in the middle or final third of the pitch. Last-gasp challenges or blocks close to the goal aren't included, meaning it illustrates how aggressively teams disrupt opposition build-up play.
No one does that as well as Bournemouth. Their PPDA this term is 9.7, making them the only top-flight side with a figure below 10. Brighton and Arsenal are their closest challengers.
At the other end of the scale, West Ham are the league's most passive side, allowing an average of 16.3 passes before intervening.
🎧 Bournemouth 'will be hurt' if Semenyo leavespublished at 07:56 GMT
07:56 GMT
Grace Wheeler BBC Sport Journalist
Jordan Clarke was joined by former AFC Bournemouth defender Joe Partington on the Cherries: Unpicked podcast.
Bournemouth's star attacker Antoine Semenyo has received interest from six Premier League clubs over a January move.
Partington has mixed emotions about a potential move, saying: "My emotional attachment to Bournemouth, watching him play for The Cherries and being an important player, pushes me towards suggesting that I really hope he stays.
"If Bournemouth are going to be any kind of successful this season, he's going to be a big part of that.
"But on the flip of that, when players are presented with the opportunity to join big clubs, more often than not they take them. He should think that he has the capability of going to Liverpool and becoming their best player.
"It doesn't mean Bournemouth will become unsuccessful overnight [without him] but it will hurt them."
The 25-year-old has made 14 appearances for Bournemouth this season, scoring six goals.
Partington said: "It was an improvement (since their game against Everton). I'd say it was an average point. With the run that we've been on, Bournemouth are desperate for three points."
Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has come under scrutiny. The 26-year-old has conceded 24 goals this season in the Premier League, and Partington said: "I have been a big fan of him so far this season, but even he in the last few games has sort of been at fault really for a couple of goals."
🎧Six without a winpublished at 10:39 GMT 10 December
10:39 GMT 10 December
The latest Cherries: Unpicked is here and on this week's show, the team are reflecting on Bournemouth's goalless draw with Chelsea that extends their winless run in the league to six matches.
Plus, they will also be discussing the form of Antoine Semenyo and what may come next for the forward.
The loss of a local heropublished at 08:52 GMT 10 December
08:52 GMT 10 December
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With English football now routinely importing players from around the world rather than the British Isles or even just the local area, fans like nothing better than a successful home-produced player, especially if they were born and raised locally, proudly chanting "he's one of our own" whenever possible.
Tuesday's announcement of the death of former Bournemouth goalkeeper David Best at the age of 82 leaves the Cherries' older supporters mourning a fondly remembered local hero.
Born in nearby Wareham, Best joined Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (as they were then) in 1960 and soon displaced experienced Republic of Ireland international Tommy Godwin between the posts, despite being only 17.
Best was a consistent performer as the Cherries just missed promotion from the old Third Division under player-manager Bill McGarry, and missed only one game in an otherwise uninterrupted run between December 1961 and May 1966.
After 230 league games for Bournemouth, Best made nearly a century of appearances for Oldham, before spending six years with Ipswich where he played in Europe under Bobby Robson, keeping clean sheets in both legs of a Uefa Cup victory over Real Madrid.
Following a stint with Portsmouth, Best returned to Dean Court in 1975 to make two more appearances before joining Dorchester Town as player-manager, later returning to his home town Wareham while managing several local non-league sides.
Cherries supporters of every vintage will have a favourite keeper from "their" era. Ken Bird, Godwin, Best, Roger Jones, Fred Davies and Gerry Peyton will all have their advocates, as will the likes of Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic in more recent years.
But Best, having established himself as first-choice shot-stopper at such a tender age, probably beats current Bournemouth goalkeeping coach Neil Moss to the title of "best local goalkeeper" (pun intended) to have served the Cherries.
Bournemouth's experienced leader stepping uppublished at 09:01 GMT 9 December
09:01 GMT 9 December
Tom Jordan Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Following a valiant scoreless draw with Chelsea at the weekend, Bournemouth secured their fifth clean sheet of the campaign - impressive stuff considering the calibre of defenders they lost in the summer.
It has not all been plain sailing, but it was always going to take some time for the new arrivals to settle. With injuries added in too, this has meant that we have needed to rely on defenders who have been at the club longer to steady the ship.
In Marcos Senesi, the club have a reliable centre-back, who can step up to help guide new defensive team-mates. He has had plenty of different partners since his arrival from Feyenoord in 2022 and his calm presence has been imperative in supporting new players.
Calm on the ball, aggressive in every duel, and even notching up plenty of assists, Marcos' form this season has forced him into a talent-filled Argentina squad.
At 28, Senesi is one of the more experienced players at Bournemouth, and his leadership qualities are flourishing, ensuring he remains vital to Andoni Iraola's machine.
Running parallel with our appreciation for him however, is also fear - that he will be another to depart the club in the not-too-distant future.
Currently his contract only runs until the end of the season and his performances mean he is bound to have plenty of suitors. As fans, we predominantly remain confident he will sign an extension and we are equally convinced that the club will be eager to get it done very soon.
Bournemouth are still in a healthy position this season and, with a potential World Cup appearance around the corner, Senesi could well have one of his best seasons to date.
Bournemouth hope Semenyo stays until the summerpublished at 16:14 GMT 8 December
16:14 GMT 8 December
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The majority of the big six are believed to have expressed an interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo
Bournemouth want star attacker Antoine Semenyo to stay until the end of the season despite interest from big six Premier League clubs over a January move.
The 25-year-old signed a new contract on 1 July, despite summer interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. However, the deal includes a series of release clauses that give the Ghana international future opportunities to leave.
The first clause would allow Semenyo to leave for £65m before 10 January – a date chosen to give Bournemouth time to find a replacement. That figure will reduce by £5m in the summer of 2026.
Bournemouth would prefer to either keep Semenyo for the rest of the season by selling him at the lower price later, or agreeing a pre-contract in January for their prized asset to move after the 2026 summer World Cup.
United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have a lot of attacking options, so pre-agreeing a deal ahead of the summer could be attractive, as it would allow time to offload players.
On the south coast, Bournemouth are understood to be exploring replacements but do not have anyone immediately lined up, with additional players likely to be made available in the coming weeks. The Cherries expect a quiet transfer window unless Semenyo's release clause is triggered.
Semenyo, meanwhile, is without a goal or an assist in seven league matches having got six goals and three assists in his first seven matches.
When asked whether transfer interest is proving a distraction, his manager Andoni Iraola said: "No, Antoine is giving us a lot, he is not a number nine so we don't expect him to score in every game. He is a threat, can continue giving us a lot of numbers, but it is not his main job. I haven't seen any change in his attitude."
FA Cup third round draw detailspublished at 13:45 GMT 8 December
13:45 GMT 8 December
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.
The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Paul: A much needed point after some poor recent results and performances. We missed Tyler Adams and we could do with Ryan Christie getting fit. A fair result overall but VAR once again ruled out a perfectly good goal. Despite half chances, the game always looked destined for a draw.
Steve: That was so lacklustre - there was no passion. From the first minute we made mistakes. Then in the second half, when you want to win these games, there was no urgency and no passion.
Bob: A side showing signs of disunity. They no longer seem prepared to create for each other to score. The manager needs to be criticised openly.
Howard: Better today. At least they tightened up the defense at last. It was good at the start of the season, well balanced and a good springboard for the attack. Recent additions to the defence have not fitted in well in recent games.
Chelsea fans
Philip: Yet another poor display. We are lucky to stay where we are in the table at the moment, but unfortunately it will not last. Losing to Leeds and drawing with Bournemouth is absolutely disgraceful. For good of the club, get rid of Enzo Maresca. He is out of his depth and he will not do anything this year or next year with Chelsea. He must go now.
Charles: Last year, we would have lost this game. We are going through our customary downturn either side of Christmas, however we are on the right trajectory. I would buy a proven goalscorer in the transfer window.
Muhammad: A stark reminder that Enzo Fernandez is not good enough for this Chelsea side. He doesn't drive with the ball, can't unlock defences, and is usually masked by Moises Caicedo's brilliance. He only starts because of his price tag, but he is always outperformed by Lavia when he's fit. If we sell him for more than £50m in the summer, it will be a big result.
Simon: Just dreary rubbish again. Talk of titles is premature. We are just at the start of a gradual descent down the table again.
'We had the energy we missed' - Petrovicpublished at 08:57 GMT 8 December
08:57 GMT 8 December
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic says his teammates "can be happy" with a home point and clean sheet against his former club Chelsea.
The Cherries bounced back from back-to-back defeats by Sunderland and Everton with a well-earned point despite missing several of their key players.
"We had the energy we missed in the Everton game," Petrovic told BBC Radio Solent. "We had a few chances and scored a goal that was the disallowed for offside early.
"I think we can be happy with how we played because it was a more positive result.
"It is nice to have a clean sheet, especially against a great team like Chelsea who are in great form. We are happy with the defensive performance because in the last few games we conceded a lot of goals.
"At this level in the Premier League, every mistake can result in conceding a goal so this was better and hopefully we can continue."
Analysis: Encouraging signs but injuries mountingpublished at 18:58 GMT 6 December
18:58 GMT 6 December
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth started this season well, climbing as high as second in the Premier League table in October.
However, a recent poor run has sparked discontent at the Vitality Stadium, especially after a 1-0 home defeat by Everton in midweek.
Andoni Iraola said he was disappointed with his team's lack of intensity and identity in that match, but on Saturday against Chelsea, Bournemouth looked more like an Iraola side - pressing aggressively and getting in their opponents' faces.
They were the better team in the first half, but striker Evanilson remains out of form with just one goal this season. Even Antoine Semenyo, arguably the best player on the pitch, is without a goal or assist in seven matches.
Injuries are mounting too, following Marcos Senesi's setback. He joins Veljko Milosavljevic, Ryan Christie and Ben Doak on the sidelines. Lewis Cook is suspended for one more match, but star midfielder Tyler Adams is expected to return against Manchester United next week.
Bournemouth need a break to recover players and regroup, but they will take encouragement from this display.
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: What Iraola and Petrovic saidpublished at 17:21 GMT 6 December
17:21 GMT 6 December
Media caption,
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the goalless draw: "I'm pleased with the performance. We played a really solid game. You have to value the point, we were playing a very good team and they can also score. One point is not a lot, but we value it.
"I'm very happy. Alex Scott playing as a six, he played one of his best games. Even Justin [Kluivert] and [David] Brooks helped us from the number 10 position. We defended really well.
"They scored because of the deflection. We wanted to improve and we are defending better now. I'm happy because we definitely did very well.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has also been speaking to the media: "A draw is a fair result. It is even better when there is a clean sheet. We had our chances, they had their chances. The intensity and quality of the football was good.
"We didn't play at our level against Everton, but today we had great energy and focus. It is positive and we are back on our way. The concentration can decide a igame. Part of our job is to stay focused and I try to stay focused with communication. We did an amazing job.
"We had some chances to score a goal in the second half, but they played well defensively. We didn't score, but hopefully in the next game we will get it back."
On their next game against Manchester United: "We need to just keep this level of energy and concentration. We just need those goals and, if we play on this level every game, we have a good chance of winning."
Did you know?
Bournemouth are without a win in six Premier League games (D2 L4), failing to score in consecutive league games under Andoni Iraola for just the third time (also in October 2023 and September 2024).
The Cherries had 13 attempts against Chelsea, their most without scoring in a Premier League home game since February against Liverpool (14 attempts).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Liverpool", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Chelseapublished at 11:15 GMT 6 December
11:15 GMT 6 December
I've been backing Bournemouth recently and they have taken one point from their past five games - so maybe I need to return to the times when I said they would lose every week.
Given the Cherries are in such poor form, the obvious thing to say here is that Chelsea will bounce back from their midweek defeat at Leeds.
But I'm not sure what to expect from Enzo Maresca's team. They need a response because they were insipid at Elland Road, when Leeds ran all over them, but if they are that meek again then they are in trouble.
I also think things have to turn for Bournemouth soon, and eventually they will get a break or two.
It's hard to feel confident about either side winning it, though, so let's go with a draw.
Bournemouth v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:33 GMT 5 December
18:33 GMT 5 December
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth will attempt to arrest a run of four defeats in five matches when they entertain a Chelsea side who lost at Leeds on Wednesday.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at the Vitality Stadium (15:00 GMT).
Bournemouth on barren run
Bournemouth have lost four of their last five Premier League matches (D1), more defeats than in their previous 17 fixtures combined. Their 1-0 loss to Everton on Tuesday night ended their unbeaten league record at the Vitality Stadium this season.
The Cherries named their youngest Premier League starting XI (23 years and 254 days) against the Toffees, with their line-up not featuring a single player over the age of 26. Bournemouth's roster of young talent may need to learn quickly if they are to end a poor run of results against a side they have failed to beat in their past seven Premier League meetings.
Bournemouth's attacking numbers have remained largely consistent during their difficult period, but Andoni Iraola's side have been more vulnerable defensively despite having a larger share of the ball, conceding more goals and giving up a greater number of chances.
Image caption,
Bournemouth have become more vulnerable defensively in recent matches
It is a failing that could come back to haunt the south coast club if left unaddressed before Saturday's contest - Chelsea are on the longest current scoring streak of any side in the Premier League, netting in all 13 of their games since a goalless draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend.
Chelsea labour at Leeds
Chelsea's tilt towards the upper tiers of the Premier League table took an unexpected turn during the midweek round of fixtures when Enzo Maresca's side lost at struggling Leeds - ending an unbeaten run of seven matches in all competitions.
The newly promoted club were on a run of four successive defeats before triumphing 3-1, a game in which Chelsea went behind for the first time in nine league outings.
The Blues had gone 1-0 up in their previous eight league fixtures, but they could not recover after falling two goals behind in west Yorkshire.
They commanded 71% possession over the course of the contest, but mustered just two shots on target.
More wins with Moises
While a lack of goal threat cannot be entirely blamed on the suspended Moises Caicedo, the surprise loss is perhaps an example of Chelsea's poor disciplinary record catching up with them.
Caicedo is banned for a further two matches following his red card in last weekend's draw with Arsenal and his ongoing absence could yet prove more costly in the forthcoming games against Bournemouth and Everton.
The Blues have won just two of their seven Premier League matches when Caicedo hasn't been in the starting XI - a win ratio of 29% - in comparison to winning 52% of the time when he has started.
Image caption,
The suspended Moises Caicedo has been a key figure since joining Chelsea from Brighton
