Bournemouth had only taken three away points since August, yet they were ahead just six minutes in tonight, when a long throw was flicked on to David Brooks.
Robert Sanchez could only bat Brooks’ header straight back to him, allowing the Welshman to bundle the rebound over the line.
However, the Cherries’ lead was cancelled out at the 15-minute mark. Estevao went down in the area following an Antoine Semenyo challenge, and Chelsea were awarded a penalty following VAR intervention.
Former Blues goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic guessed right, but Cole Palmer’s strike was perfectly placed.
A firm Sanchez hand denied Brooks a second soon after as the end-to-end nature continued, before Chelsea put themselves ahead midway through the first half.
Enzo Fernandez worked the ball into the area by playing a one-two with Alejandro Garnacho, before coolly evading Bournemouth challenges and rifling it into the top corner.
However, this time it was the hosts’ lead that wouldn’t last, as Andoni Iraola’s men again caused havoc in the penalty area, forcing Trevor Chalobah to inadvertently set up Justin Kluivert for a simple tap-in and the fourth goal of a crazy first 27 minutes.
Liam Delap, Alex Jimenez and Semenyo all had further chances, but there would be no further additions to the scoresheet before half-time.
By comparison, though, the early second-half minutes were sedate, as neither side produced an effort on goal until Petrovic was forced to tip an Estevao strike around the post in the 64th minute.
The Brazilian teenager continued to look the most likely difference maker, dancing his way through the Bournemouth defence with 20 minutes to play before cutting the ball back for Delap, whose effort was deflected out.
Chelsea continued to press, but when a loose ball fell to Fernandez inside the box, he failed to replicate the accuracy he displayed before the break.
In the end, Bournemouth held out for a point and avoided conceding three for the seventh away match in succession, while Chelsea have now dropped 13 points from winning positions this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Estevao (Chelsea)