So much for the recovery. This was a defeat to sum up Chelsea’s traumatic title defence, a loss that four months ago might have been considered inconceivable but which, these days, bore all the hallmarks of this season’s regular failings. Bournemouth arrived here after nine winless games, a side shredded by long-term injuries to key players and a team who had not managed a clean sheet away from home since a trip to Hartlepool of the basement division in August. They departed with their manager, Eddie Howe, celebrating the “best individual result in our history”. The way things have been going this season, even Roman Abramovich up in the west stand should have seen this coming.

There were the usual local complaints over the display of the officials. Some of those pointed out by José Mourinho were valid. Glenn Murray may well have been marginally offside at the far post when Steve Cook clipped the ball back into the six-yard box after Thibaut Courtois had pawed away a late corner, the substitute nodding down and through Gary Cahill on the goalline with his first touch. He had been on the pitch for 99 seconds. Perhaps more doubtful was a call for a penalty after Diego Costa’s pull-back struck the sliding Simon Francis’s arm in the other penalty area. In another season, the first might have been ruled out and the second awarded, but this campaign is like no other in recent memory.

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Mourinho’s post-match gloom reflected as much, his criticisms of the officials all rather half-hearted given the fact that, when he has lambasted perceived mistakes this term, he has been slapped down with heavy fines, a stadium ban and a threat of another to come. What was arguably more revealing of Chelsea’s dismal predicament – they are 14th and only three points above the relegation zone – was the recognition there is no bite to his lineup. No incision across the front line. Branislav Ivanovic, Willian and Pedro all flung tantalising low centres into the penalty area when the hosts finally built up some momentum after the interval but, even with the brooding Costa introduced at the break, the delivery was only greeted with hesitancy.

“All those crosses from the right side, short crosses, we have to touch the ball in front of goal because the goalkeeper would have no chance,” said the manager, his exasperation all too evident. “If you are in the box you have to attack the ball and touch it in. These are big chances. Big chances you have to take. The only time we made contact was with Matic, where it was difficult for him wearing his mask and with the cross really fast. It was difficult for him to react and give direction to the ball.” That effort flew over the bar.

Mourinho was left to bemoan a lack of consistency in individual performances. Eden Hazard was not quite as effervescent as he had been at White Hart Lane. Oscar was anonymous and withdrawn, while Cesc Fàbregas continues to labour. “Today, again, we had a couple from whom you need more and expect more, and they don’t give enough,” added the Portuguese. “But there were ‘unlucky details’ too. You cannot have bigger details than one penalty that is not given and an offside goal that decides the game.”

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Perhaps, but it still felt a wasteful display rather than one where Chelsea had been cheated of a result. Instead, Bournemouth could bask in their own seismic moment. This victory hauled them out of the bottom three and was remarkable given the crippling injuries which have robbed them of Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings, Tommy Elphick and Max Gradel. Or, indeed, all the niggling setbacks suffered over the week which meant the 18-man match day squad included every outfield senior player available. “We were magnificent, and we had to be to win here so I’m incredibly proud of the players,” said Howe. “The injuries knocked us for six and meant we lost our balance for a while, but we’ve found a way to work that can be effective. And if we can come here and win, we can do it anywhere.”

That might be pushing it given that four teams have now won at Stamford Bridge but, for Bournemouth, it ended an occasion that potentially eclipsed the FA Cup win against Manchester United in 1984, or the win against Grimsby in 2009 that staved off the threat of relegation from the Football League. They would have been forgiven a nervy start but, instead, forced the returning Courtois into first-half saves from Josh King and Junior Stanislas.

They had to be cannier after the interval when Chelsea were far more aggressive, with Mourinho infuriated by their eagerness to break up play, before a substitute reduced to a bit-part role sprang from the bench to claim the contest. The hosts had prayed that would be Costa. Instead it was Murray. “We’ve never been in the Premier League before, so to come to the champions and win,” added Howe. “It’s the best individual result in the club’s history.” For Chelsea, it was the stuff of nightmares.