A committed performance but no reward for AFCB

Eddie Howe summed up the evening's events at Chelsea very succinctly in referring to the team's committed performance. The players did absolutely everything they could to try and get a result and with several players not playing in their natural positions, it was a very professional and brave attempt to get the better of Chelsea on their home ground.

AFCB got as close as they could to Chelsea

AFCB's first cup semi-final will have to wait a little longer. The way that Bournemouth set about trying to get at Chelsea though was encouraging for forthcoming games. There was no disappointment in how the team played. It was really pleasing to see all the players putting in a performance and repelling the Chelsea attacks so effectively up until the last 10 minutes of the game.

The Cherries can take a great deal of pride in the performance. The positive play of Lys Mousset and the calm control of Jack Simpson must have given Eddie Howe some of the biggest smiles on the night as these young players will grow from this kind of game.

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The need now is to take this form into the league matches and while some of the first squad were rested, there is good reason to feel that some of the players who did play made a valid case for a place in the team in the next few matches. For once it was very much a complete team performance with everyone helping each other, and the unity that AFCB will have gained from the match should give the players a good feeling that they can start picking up points again in the league.

While the team did not progress in the cup, and has lost again to another top six team, this was clearly the best that AFCB has come to turning over one of the best teams on an away ground this season. The mood in camp is much improved since the run of recent results.