AFC Bournemouth welcomed Chelsea to Dean Court yesterday for the first of two meetings against the Blues this month. After the extremely disappointing performance against Everton, it was certainly a much improved outing – and here are five things we learned from the draw:

1. Marcos Senesi’s importance to the team is paramount

Senesi missed the loss against Everton due to picking up his fifth booking of the season in the defeat against Sunderland. His presence was sorely missed, with the team struggling to create anything. Senesi’s range of passing is good enough to play for any team in the world – if he was quicker, no doubt he would not be playing for AFCB. He made eight passes into the final third in his 62 minutes, creating two chances. Despite the defence being good on Tuesday night, there wasn’t the passing range from the back that Senesi offers. He was outstanding defensively, not letting Liam Delap (who was somehow not booked) get the better of him, and frankly back-pocketing Marc Guiu once he replaced Delap. He made 11 defensive contributions, won 3/3 of his aerial duels and 4/8 ground duels. Given he was taken off with half an hour to go, they are extremely impressive numbers. Fingers crossed it was just cramps, which Andoni Iraola was hopeful of.

2. We have looked MUCH better defensively

After shipping goals for fun recently, the last two games have been much improved defensively. Everton were kept quiet, only scoring due to Jack Grealish’s deflected strike. There wasn’t much of a balance, with the team struggling attack, but it was good to see an improved display at the back. And against a team boasting even more of an attacking threat, the defensive display was even better. It was nice to see Djordje Petrovic keep his first clean sheet since October, and to see him make a post at his near post, an area which he has struggled in recently. Adam Smith rolled back the years with a superb display at right back, Senesi (and his replacement James Hill) and partner Bafode Diakite were very solid and Adrien Truffert put in another top display. The side looked very good defensively earlier this season, and that’s when we were at our best, so hopefully the back line continue to show what they’re made of.

3. Scott and Tavernier deserve huge credit

With Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook suspended, and Ryan Christie injured, there wasn’t much to choose from in regards to midfield options. Alex Scott dropped into a position deeper than he has been used to this season, but looked unfazed, with an exceptional performance, especially given he had been out of form as of late. Marcus Tavernier would not have been everyone’s preferred choice after the controversies of Tuesday night, but he put that behind him, supporting Scott extremely well at the base of midfield. Scott completed the most dribbles (4/5) in the match, showing drive that he hadn’t shown in recent weeks, as well as making 16 defensive contributions and winning 8/12 ground duels. His versatility to be able to play anywhere in midfield is a huge bonus to the side. Tavernier also made 16 defensive contributions in a very hard working performance, and 10 passes into the final third. Again, his versatility is key.

4. Alex Jimenez needs to be signed permanently

Probably the biggest positive over the last week has been the performances of Alex Jimenez. He was our most creative player on Tuesday, despite starting at right back, and was rewarded with a start on the wing yesterday. He hadn’t featured there for us before, but when signed, it was said he can play further forward. Him and Smith worked very well as a pairing, able to keep Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Cucurella very quiet. Jimenez worked very hard throughout the game, again looking absolutely knackered as he was taken off. I wouldn’t expect him to start on the wing every week, but it’s a good option to have against sides who might expect to beat us.

5. The attack didn’t fire completely, but it was better

Antoine Semenyo looked much better than he had done in recent times, carrying a real threat throughout, and was very unlucky not to score. Evanilson somehow didn’t score on the rebound of Semenyo’s shot that was brilliantly saved by Robert Sanchez, who loves playing against Bournemouth. But it was unlucky for the Brazilian, who only had a second (if that) to react, and was at full stretch. There wasn’t much else he could’ve done, but somehow the ball went wide. Justin Kluivert showed glimpses of his former self, but again has yet to reach the levels he has in previous seasons. He’s had two starts in a row now, and I understand that without the pre-season it was always going to be a struggle to hit those levels. But he is important to the team, and sooner rather than later we need more than just glimpses. Two goals and no assists between Evanilson and Kluivert at this stage of the season is not ideal, to say the least. Hopefully it clicks for them sooner rather than later, which it may do if they continue to start together. If it wasn’t for Chelsea’s Sanchez making excellent saves, we would have been celebrating three points, but not to be.

Whilst it wasn’t the incredibly high levels we have seen before, it was a positive step in the right direction – as long as we build on it. A nice rest now between our next game against Manchester United. UTC.