David Brooks' stylish volley gave Bournemouth a hard-fought Premier League victory over relegation-threatened Everton.

The Cherries had been blunted by a dogged Everton side for 77 minutes at the Vitality Stadium before Brooks struck with a superb controlled finish.

A cross from Milos Kerkez towards the back of the box picked out the run of Brooks who cushioned a volley with his left boot which flew beyond Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Everton failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes in a familiar tale of woe up front, although Nathan Patterson lifted a shot over the bar.

The result heaps further pressure on Everton boss Sean Dyche, whose side have won just one of their past 11 league matches and are two points above the drop zone in 16th.

Bournemouth are seventh - three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League spot.

The Cherries also set a new club Premier League record of eight games unbeaten.

When Brooks finished with aplomb it was impossible not to feel a degree of sympathy for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The England goalkeeper was his typically animated self but backed it up with a near-faultless display between the sticks.

Pickford superbly denied Dango Ouattara from close range early in the contest and then produced a double stop to deny Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert before the break.

In front of England's new goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario, watching from the stands, the 30-year-old was equally impressive after the interval as he dived full length to tip Ouattara's low shot from 20 yards past the post

It would take a moment of real quality to beat Pickford on this form and there was little he could do about the goal.

Brooks evaded Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko to create space for himself and Pickford was left unsighted so could not react in time.

Pickford has been the Everton fans' player of the season for the past three campaigns but was left chuntering to himself as he left the pitch after another game in which the Blues failed to cut it in attack.

They managed just 132 shots on target and only scored 31 goals in the Premier League in 2024, the fewest of any ever-present club across the calendar year.

At the start of 2025 things look to be continuing in the same vein. Dyche simply has to find a way to get his side to stop firing blanks.

Bournemouth showed real positive intent - with 19 shots, nine of which were on target - and deserved to pick up the three points here.

The Cherries played some slick football against an Everton side who seemed determined to stifle their opponents more than anything else.

Andoni Iraola's side remained true to their style even as the minutes ticked down and it appeared Pickford would emerge the hero.

Everton's players failed to make runs into space and bickered with each other after passes went astray.

By contrast there is a synergy about Bournemouth even when things were not going their way.

They stayed patient and duly got their reward.

For just the second time in 13 calendar years Bournemouth have seen in the new year with a league victory.

With more points at this stage of a Premier League campaign than ever before these might be uncharted waters.

However, the tantalising prospect of qualifying for Europe for the first time certainly looks to be within their grasp.