Neither Chelsea nor Bournemouth have been able to break through in an end-to-end first half full of chances in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho again elected to leave Diego Costa on the bench and go with Eden Hazard as his side's most attacking player, and the Belgian tested the returning Artur Boruc inside three minutes when his shot was saved comfortably after he had got in behind the defence.
Bournemouth's defence were struggling to handle Hazard and Chelsea's other attackers, but Eddie Howe's side showed that they had plenty of threat themselves when high pressure forced Hazard into a mistake and Junior Stanislas's driven effort was blocked well by Gary Cahill.
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Chelsea were boosted by the return to fitness of Thibaut Courtois after three months out injured, and the Belgian stopper proved his worth with less than a quarter of an hour gone when he denied Stanislas with his legs as the Cherries took the game to the home side.
Courtois made another vital stop to keep out Joshua King's creeping effort at the near post as the promoted side looked the most likely, but as Chelsea grappled for any kind of rhythm, Pedro volleyed over Boruc's crossbar after a sweeping move.
Bournemouth replied with the best move of the match, Harry Arter opening up space in the midfield with a one-two and laying off for Dan Gosling, whose effort from distance deflected over the crossbar with Courtois rooted to the spot.
The game opened up as the first half began to draw to a close, and both goalkeepers were forced into action as Boruc denied Hazard's stinging effort down low before Bournemouth raced down the other end and Courtois again saved with his legs, this time from King.
Boruc pushed away Pedro's curler and denied Oscar as Chelsea finally began to move through the gears in the final minutes of the half, but despite heavy pressure from the home side the game remained goalless at the whistle.
Tom Nightingale
