Eddie Howe believes his Bournemouth side gave Chelsea problems in 3-1 defeat
Monday 10 April 2017 12:35, UK
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe claimed his side "gave Chelsea real problems" in their 3-1 defeat to the Blues on Saturday.
Adam Smith gave Chelsea the advantage in the 17th minute as he turned the ball into his own net from a Diego Costa shot, before Eden Hazard superbly slotted home the second not long after.
Josh King pulled a goal back for the Cherries just before half-time but Marcos Alonso sealed the three points for the league-leaders with a sublime free-kick in the 68th minute, to ensure his side reinstated their seven-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table.
Meanwhile for Bournemouth, the result leaves them seven points above the relegation spot with six games remaining.
Speaking after the game, Howe said he was pleased with the fight his players showed and believes they created problems for their opponents.
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Howe told the club's official website: "We fought back well and I think that was pleasing. The players showed really good character to hang in there and at 2-1 I thought we had a really good chance in the second half. I thought that we gave them real problems with the ball at times.
"I felt we were in the game and it was a really delicate balance between how much you commit to the attack and how much you leave yourself vulnerable in certain areas.
"But, for the main, we defended them well and Artur [Boruc] was relatively untroubled until the free-kick which was a brilliant goal from their perspective."
The 39-year-old admitted it was difficult face a team in such good form, adding: "With the system they play, they do very well with it and they have angles and passing options all over the pitch.
"With the players they have it's difficult to get the ball at times. We stayed in the game and scored a good goal.
"It will now be a normal week in terms of our preparation for Tottenham and I watched them today against Watford. It'll be another tough test."
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