Bournemouth could not significantly close the gap on fourth-placed Arsenal as they played out a 0-0 draw at home against Crystal Palace.
Andoni Iraola's side are now unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches, although they have dropped to sixth as Newcastle moved above them after failing to convert their chances.
Bournemouth had 18 shots to Palace's 10, but both sides hit the target just four times, with the visitors finding the net in the first half through Ismaila Sarr, who was offside.
The hosts came closest when Antoine Semenyo's close-range shot in the 23rd minute was cleared off the line by Sar before he missed a full chance in the second period.
Semenyo dragged wide, as did substitutes Evanilson and Philip Billing. Pala saw Kepa Arrizabalaga keep out Eberechi Eze as Bournemouth raced down the other end to force goalkeeper Dean Henderson to save Enes Unal's reaction.
Palace held on in the final minutes and moved five points clear of the top three, when Semenjo's header missed the target by a few centimeters.
Illya Zabarnyi challenges Eberechi Eze
Huijsen shines again in Bournemouth's defence
Sky Sports' David Richardson:
Dean Huijsen is seizing his chance at the heart of Bournemouth's defense and is fast becoming one of the Premier League's best young defenders.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who signed for Bournemouth on a six-year deal from Juventus in the summer, has shone after starting the last five league games, scoring twice and helping to keep three clean sheets.
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen challenges Jean-Philippe Mateta
Huijsen withstood the test of Crystal Palace's versatile front line – the strength of Jean-Philippe Mateta combined with the pace and guile of Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze.
He won the most tackles of any player, the most tackles and had the highest pass completion rate. Huijsen's only mistake was a cynical foul on Sara that earned him a yellow card. Bournemouth has a gem.
Guehi: Not what you want to see on Boxing Day!
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi:
“It was a stupid game. Boring for neutrals. Not what you want to see on Boxing Day, but we'll take it.
“Given what happened last game (a heavy defeat to the Gunners), that's all you can ask for, really, a point away from home against a good side, so we'll take it. (The clean sheet) is positive, but we can always better, we can always improve, so that's the goal.”
“I'm not exhausted – I was just bored with the game, to be honest. Nil-nil, like I said, it wasn't a great game, but we get it, it's a point, so let's move on. “
Iraola: We have done half the work
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said:
“We have to appreciate the point. We wanted a three, but we did half the job. We kept a clean sheet and defended quite well considering the level of their offensive players, but we missed something in the final third.
“With their five backs, they have three very good defenders and two midfielders, the chances you will have probably won't be too clear. But you have to shoot from the edge, one good header, one set piece. , we had these chances but we couldn't score .
“If you look at the stats, we deserved more, but they were also a threat.”
Glasner: Good performance and an important point
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner said:
“The away point is fine. They won against Arsenal and Manchester City here and four days ago at Old Trafford.
“They play very directly from the back. They have a lot of pace. This makes it difficult for them to defend and play against.
“Sometimes we moved the ball very quickly and created situations. It was a good performance and a very important point.”