Eddie Howe was pleased with his team's application after matching a classy Chelsea side for parts of the game, but felt frustrated to see his team end up with a 3-0 loss.
Pedro's double and Eden Hazard's penalty put Chelsea seven points clear of Manchester City at the end of Boxing Day with Liverpool to play on the Tuesday. Bournemouth fell to thirteenth on twenty one points.
Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth FT:
Shots: 14-7
Pass accuracy: 85%-86%
Chances created: 9-5
Possession: 47%-53%
Yet another Chelsea win. pic.twitter.com/1sOKyHCkmA
"They're an outstanding team," admitted Howe toBBC Sport, "that said, I thought we were well in the game today. It's a frustrating one for us because many elements of the gameplan worked. We can't be too upbeat, but - fine margins."
"I thought the players stuck to what we asked them to do really well. I felt our moments were there but unfortunately their goalkeeper did really well with them."
Bournemouth are the latest team to try out a system with three at the back - after Chelsea perfected it under Conte - and the likes of Tottenham and West Ham have occasionally employed it too.
"I felt it was justified in making the change, I felt it helped us get control of the ball and nullified the majority of their threats - but they have individuals of such quality that we couldn't keep them quiet for the whole game."
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Eddie Howe gives us his take on the Cherries' 3-0 defeat to @ChelseaFC.
➡ https://t.co/EgzLskxl6m#afcb � pic.twitter.com/jhya08hI3t
We are almost halfway through the season, and Bournemouth have flirted withthe European spots - buttwo defeats in succession have dropped them down to thirteenth.
"We analyse ourselves honestly, and we've got to do better," Howe concluded.