Bournemouth

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Everton at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Everyone will be available - apart from the suspensions [Lewis Cook, Marco Senesi and David Brooks] and the two Scottish players Ryan [Christie] and Ben [Gannon-Doak] out."

• Iraola stated that "it is not easy" to forget about the defeat by Sunderland over the weekend, but took confidence from the fact that the team "did a lot of things well", and was happy with the way they "controlled the game during long periods".

• On Cook's red card: "Yes, I think it's still a red card. I think it's an instinctive reaction from Lewis, but I understand there is an elbow there, and I understand the red card. But I hope we don't have to talk about the referee. Probably we all lost our heads a little bit in the second half because we were not understanding a lot of the decisions, but I think we have to focus on ourselves, and I hope we don't have these issues tomorrow."

• Iraola revealed that he did have a conversation with Cook after the game, and the Bournemouth captain "accepts" the reality. However, the Cherries boss reiterated that the challenge was "something probably instinctive and he does it probably unconsciously".

• The Spaniard, however, pointed to what he considers an inconsistency in how his side are refereed: "The amount of fouls they allow us before a yellow card is the lowest in the Premier League. I think we need four fouls for every yellow card, and there are teams with 10, 11, 12 fouls that they're allowed."

• On a new centre-back pairing against Everton, with Senesi banned: "Marcos has played every game, has started every game, so whatever the line-up is going to be a new partnership. But we also have the option of James Hill, who has performed well this season and whatever the combination is, I feel confident."

• Iraola also said the Cherries have to "train every day now" despite travelling back from the North East on Saturday and having to play Everton less than 48 hours later.

• On Everton: "They are a very good team. Against Manchester United, they won a game basically playing with 10 players from the beginning. They're a team that have always defended really well all the last season. I remember them being very solid defensively. I expect a challenging game, but it's always like this in the Premier League."

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Iraola speak to BBC Radio Solent's Rob Sills on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Craig: The most remarkable thing about Sunderland's performance was their body language after going two down inside 15 minutes. They didn't sulk or slump their shoulders. They kept fighting, chasing every lost cause, winning tackles all over the pitch. It's why we won and why we're so high in the table.

Jim: Dogged and gutsy performance. This squad never gives up. Xhaka doesn't allow anyone to step off the gas. Brilliant game of football in torrential rain.

Malcolm: This is different. We have a professional management in all areas of the club. Kryril Louis-Dreyfus has taken this club to a different level. History is irrelevant now - we are on a different curve. SAFC are only getting started.

Burt: Two mistakes resulting in two goals. Didn't panic just played themselves into the game. Great result. Ref very inconsistent.

Bournemouth fans

Chris: I'm afraid Evanilson is just not up to it. He's so lightweight, his touch is poor and he simply cannot finish. Yes, he'll run all day, but that alone is not enough for a Premier League striker. Give Kroupi or Unal a run in the team.

TFTSE: Poor. Not sure how we managed to concede another three goals after being 2-0 up. When teams press us we're not sure what to do. Semenyo needs to be utilised better and we need Christie back. Cracking Tyler Adams goal to enjoy forever.

Mike: Fifth time in seven away games we've conceded three goals. That won't get us results. We need to sort the defence and our discipline.

Patrick: We lacked discipline and players on four yellows need to wake up to the consequences of a fifth. Again, like previous years, we seem to spiral into second-rate football and struggle to respond positively.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 3-2 Leeds

• Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth

• Everton 1-4 Newcastle

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We knew it would be difficult. We played quite well, but we've not dealt with the main dangers. They have punished us. We lost our heads a little bit with the referee.

On the penalty: "There is a clear foul. There is a push from behind, and if that is not enough for a foul, then it's not enough for a penalty. There is some contact, but I don't think that's enough for a penalty.

"I think everyone supporting our team today would have a yellow or red card. It was very difficult with how the referee was calling everything. He basically lost control of the game. I understand in the stadium.

On Brooks, Cook and Senesi missing next game: "Costly for us because we are losing three players and also Lewis for three games. I think it's a straight red at the end. Everyone is needed."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth lost a Premier League match having led by 2+ goals for a fourth time, doing so for the first time since March 2023 at Arsenal (3-2), having avoided defeat in each of their previous 21 such games before today (W19 D2).

• Amine Adli became Bournemouth's 10th different goalscorer in the Premier League this season (excl. own goals), with only Brighton (12), Arsenal and Chelsea (11 each) having more (before the late games).

Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Hear from Amine Adli

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth will see their 3-2 loss at Sunderland as a huge missed opportunity.

The Cherries, who were 2-0 up and could have gone fourth with a win, have now lost three of their past four matches in the top flight.

What's worse is Saturday's match will have ramifications on future Premier League fixtures.

Midfielder Lewis Cook is likely to miss his side's next three matches having been sent off for violent conduct.

Marcos Senesi and David Brooks will also be suspended for Bournemouth's next game after they both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season.

Even manager Andoni Iraola was booked for dissent midway through the second half.

Bournemouth have two home games coming up against Everton and Chelsea and are then away to Manchester United.

Two positive notes for the visitors were the return of playmaker Antoine Semenyo after a game away, while Tyler Adams' strike from 43.3 metres out was the longest ranged Premier League goal of this season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland make two changes. In come Chemsdine Talbi and Omar Alderete. Lutsharel Geertruida and Trai Hume drop to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Mandava, Alderete; Talbi, Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isidor.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Geertruida, Brobbey, Rigg, Mayenda, Mundle, Adingra, Hume.

It's three changes for Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo, Adam Smith and Amine Adli all return to the starting XI. On the bench are Lewis Cook, Junior Kroupi and David Brooks.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Adli; Evanilson.

Subs: Dennis, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Kluivert, Jimenez, Kroupi, Unal, Milosavljevic.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Burnley

• Manchester City v Leeds United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Everton v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Fulham (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth have had a few injuries which might explain their drop in form and what happens here might depend on whether Antoine Semenyo is able to return for them.

Semenyo missed last week's draw with West Ham with illness and he also has an ankle problem, but without him his side still came back from 2-0 down to take a point - another result I got wrong.

One of the games I was exactly right about last week was Fulham's 1-0 win over Sunderland, but I am really not sure about how this one will go.

It feels like choosing a winner is a toss of a coin, and in those situations I usually go for a 1-1 draw.

This time, though, because of the abuse I got online from a certain Sunderland fan for what he felt was a 'stupid' prediction for the Fulham game, I am going to say Bournemouth will return to winning ways.

He accused me of being really thick for predicting a 1-0 Fulham win and while I am often quite stupid, there might be a little bit of egg on his face now.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland's Premier League journey continues as they welcome Bournemouth to the north-east. BBC Sport reflects on some of the key talking points ahead of Saturday's meeting (15:00 GMT).

This fixture represents something of a full circle moment for Sunderland supporters and match-going fans in particular will remember exactly what happened the last time they hosted Bournemouth in a league game in April 2017.

The away side edged a close game 1-0 thanks to an 88th-minute goal – a result that confirmed the Black Cats' Premier League relegation that season. A second successive demotion to League One followed immediately afterwards and what happened to the club in the intervening years is well-documented. But they are now back in the big time and sit above this weekend's opponents on goal difference in seventh.

Regis Le Bris's men were beaten at Fulham last weekend and will be pleased with a return to the Stadium of Light, which has been a stronghold this season. They are undefeated at home in the Premier League so far with three wins and three draws, picking up just two fewer points at their ground this term than they did in the whole of their previous top-flight campaign in 2016-17.

Expect rotation

Le Bris confirmed in his press conference that he will begin to shuffle his pack ahead of the congested Christmas fixture list, with Liverpool and Manchester City away next week followed by the big one – Newcastle at home.

"Our rotation will happen naturally and organically," said the head coach, who will celebrate his 50th birthday at the Etihad next Saturday. "We are now at a stage of the season where we have many games in a row in a small amount of time and organically it will happen. Players will have opportunities to play – get ready for that."

The Frenchman also found time to praise this weekend's opposition and shared his admiration for the way they have established themselves in the top flight.

"Bournemouth are a good model for us," added Le Bris. "They way they have built in the last four seasons in the league is really interesting for us."

Cherries not travelling well

Bournemouth are on a three-game winless run in the Premier League and their two defeats in that spell both came away from home.

A 3-1 defeat at Manchester City was followed by a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa and they could now lose three successive away fixtures for the first time since November 2023.

The Cherries have won just five points from 18 available on the road in the Premier League so far this season – with their only victory at Tottenham – and head coach Andoni Iraola believes his team need to be "especially good" if they are going to triumph this weekend.

"We cannot see Sunderland like a promoted team," said the 43-year-old Spaniard. "I think they have shown they are a really good team and they have a lot of experience with players coming from big clubs. They know what they're doing and what it takes to win in the Premier League."

The main positive for the south coast side is that they are unbeaten in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, with one win and one draw from their previous two visits.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth captain Adam Smith has explained what it was like to go through a concussion protocol after he clashed heads with team-mate Tyler Adams in the match against Aston Villa earlier in the month.

The full-back returned to the matchday squad last weekend in the draw against West Ham, but could only feature as an 86th-minute substitute.

"I feel OK now," Smith said. "The stitches weren't nice and probably left a scar, but it is what it is and I couldn't do anything about it.

"[The protocol] is not enjoyable. It's rest for 48 hours and then just 10 days of doing all sorts of tests - mental tests, physical tests - to make sure we're recovering and don't get any symptoms, to see if we're OK to get back to training after 12 days.

"So it was a long 12 days and a long protocol to do, but obviously it helped that Tyler was doing it with me. It wasn't nice but we're lucky it wasn't anything serious."

The 34-year-old missed the opening part of the season because of a thigh injury and only returned to selection after the October international break.

"I'd worked so hard to get back from injury and get back to full fitness and I had my opportunity and then that [head injury] happens so it wasn't great. But that's life I suppose, everyone goes through ups and downs and it's nothing I haven't been through before."

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Antoine Semenyo is hoping to be available for selection "if everything goes well" on Friday, while Justin Kluivert has returned to training but is unlikely to play on Saturday.

• Ryan Christie is likely to be out "for some time" after an MRI scan following the draw against West Ham last week showed he has a knee sprain.

• Ben Gannon-Doak is also expected to be unavailable for a long period.

• Iraola said his team need to figure out how to reduce the amount of goals they are conceding as he does not believes their results have been reflective of their performances: "I don't think we conceded as many chances to concede that many goals. So we have to reduce the number of goals we are conceding; otherwise it becomes difficult to win games."

• Bournemouth have won just five points from 18 available on the road in the Premier League so far this season. Iraola believes his team need to be "especially good" if they are going to win at the Stadium of Light: "We cannot see Sunderland like a promoted team. I think they have shown they are a really good team and they have a lot of experience with players coming from big clubs. They know what they're doing and what it takes to win in the Premier League. That's how I see it.

• He continued to praise their hosts who are unbeaten on home turf so far this season: "They even look experienced as a team in the way they manage games really well. It's going to be tough as they haven't lost any games at home and Aston Villa and Arsenal have played there. It means you have to be especially good and switched on to get the three points."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Sunderland v Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 15:00 GMT

Liverpool face the dilemma of making a move for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in January or waiting until the summer, when Manchester City are expected to join the race for the winger. (i Paper), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The festive season is not far away, but the Bournemouth rollercoaster was in full swing on Saturday, as the game with West Ham produced two contrasting halves of football.

It looked particularly grim at half-time, with the Hammers halfway to a "smash and grab" of all three points, having led 2-0 from two largely isolated attacks and already looking more than happy to run the clock down from this point on, against a team without two of its main attacking threats with Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert injured.

Adding extra hurt was the identity of the scorer of both goals - former Cherries favourite Callum Wilson, top scorer from the team which won the Championship title a decade ago, en route to Bournemouth's first glass-ceiling-shattering spell in the Premier League.

But the Cherries have been known for some astonishing comebacks in recent seasons – and turned the game on its head with their second-half display, as the momentum of the match swung.

Boss Andoni Iraola has never been afraid of a bold, early substitution, and at half-time he chose to play a card he had played successfully in an FA Cup tie at Queens Park Rangers nearly two years ago, when they had trailed 2-0 at the break, only to win 3-2.

Lewis Cook – all 5ft 9in of him, and a central midfielder by trade – was switched to central defence with Bafode Diakite replaced at the interval.

If the change was made in anticipation that Cook would not have too much man-to-man marking to do, and could instead break up play and start attacks from the back with his range of passing, it worked a treat – even more so when West Ham withdrew Wilson in favour of midfielder Tomas Soucek in the 52nd minute.

Wilson was facing his old club for the first time. Having departed after relegation during the Covid pandemic of 2020, he never had a chance to say goodbye, and his substitution allowed the game to pause for some warm applause from the home supporters which Wilson acknowledged.

But his exit left the Hammers without a focal point in attack, playing into Iraola's hands as his side laid siege to the visitors' goal. Marcus Tavernier blasted home a penalty after Maximillian Kilman's blatant handball, while another inspired substitution allowed Enes Unal to equalise with one of his first touches after a slide-rule pass by Marcos Senesi opened up the defence.

In the end, it was Areola denying Iraola in a grandstand finish, as Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola somehow threw every body part in the way of goalbound efforts, making save after save to deny Bournemouth a third goal.

In 45 minutes, emotions turned from "there's no way back" to "how did we not win?".

Next stop on the rollercoaster is Sunderland on Saturday. It is safe to say that you would have got long odds in the summer that, 12 games in, Sunderland v Bournemouth would be seventh v eighth.

And what should you do on a rollercoaster? Hold on tight, and enjoy the ride.

Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo's release clause with the Cherries will drop slightly from £65m in January, to a smaller figure next summer, but will not fall below £50m. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is concerned about an over-reliance on Norway striker Erling Haaland, 25, so will consider rivalling Liverpool for 25-year-old Semenyo. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sam Davis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

This weekend saw another member of the Cherries squad arrive at this campaign's Premier League party, with Turkish frontman Enes Unal grabbing the limelight.

The 28 year old sadly missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury. Subsequently, he had to watch on as the side performed admirably before going on to recruit various players in his preferred position.

While a large number of Bournemouth supporters felt Enes' time on the South Coast may not last much longer, his contribution at the weekend with a last-gasp West Ham equaliser perhaps indicates that he is ready to step up once more to show he can be more than capable of bringing something unique to the Cherries squad.

Having scored plenty of goals in Spain and been a part of an exciting Manchester City youth setup, the expectations were high when Enes joined Bournemouth back in February 2024. However, despite some promising performances, Enes' short time at the club has been blighted by injury - having already succumbed to an ACL injury back in Spain with Getafe, another occurred on the south coast to force a cruel setback.

Credit to him though, as he has evidently worked hard to get fit and is now looking more than ready to compete with the likes of Evanilson and Eli Kroupi in the Cherries attack.

Enes certainly offers something different in Bournemouth's frontline - a real physical presence, a player happy to drop off and link play and with a specialism in free kicks in his armoury. Whisper it, maybe his return can encourage a goal-shy Evanilson to find his goalscoring boots again.

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

Liverpool have already held concrete talks over a move for Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, and are aware of his £65m release clause. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth forward Enes Unal was emotional after scoring his first goal since December 2024 in the 2-2 draw with West Ham.

After successive anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Unal returned with a decisive impact in only his second substitute appearance since his comeback.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Unal said: "In my best dreams, I would not have imagined it. Yesterday I had a great training session, and the last couple of days I felt like I was getting there physically and mentally.

"This is why we love football - it was an amazing feeling. A rainy day, this is my favourite weather to play football - this is what you dream of.

"I think we are getting a lot of respect from other teams. A lot of teams come here, and they want to make it a duel-oriented game, aggressive, and if we can't win those duels, we struggle. So, we just need to correct that.

"The second half was an amazing performance. We dominated and we should have scored more, but yes, we will take the point.

"We tried to play outside more and overload the sides. They were compact in the middle and it's very difficult from there. This will give us a lot of learnings and motivation for next week."

Listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Lee: Game of two halves! Tepid performance first half, with Callum Wilson coming back to haunt us. However, the second half was an onslaught and we should have won the game in the end. Will settle for a point after going two down, but the Cherries need to be more focused from minute one going forward.

Dave: Our never-say-die attitude showed through in the second half. Their goalkeeper was the difference between one point and three for us. Oh, and that penalty - red all day long.

Bob: Defence poor for Cherries, as usual. The opposition sit back when two up, and we luckily get a draw. A fortunate result.

Rob: Good performance second half, but too many players had an off day - Petrovic and Evanilson, to name just two. Credit to West Ham for holding on and credit to Unal for getting the equaliser after 50 seconds.

West Ham fans

Steve: Will West Ham ever learn that sitting back and defending a lead will never work in the Premier League with a team like ours? I fear not.

Gavin: Not a great performance, but we battled. Wrong subs as widely stated. Magassa needs more minutes when we need legs in midfield. Paqueta and Summerville missing really hurts our attacking options. Respect the point.

Tony: Wrong decision by Nuno to take Wilson off and go defensive, leaving no outlet up front. Letting Bournemouth attack our goal continuously. Bad tactics.

Robbie: A game we would have definitely lost a few weeks back and probably should have on Saturday. Not sure what the manager was thinking with the subs, but it would have taken a point away from home before kick-off.

Manchester United could a offer Antoine Semenyo his preferred number 24 shirt in a bid to lure the 25-year-old Bournemouth and Ghana forward to Old Trafford during the January transfer window. (Manchester Evening News), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is not a good result for us. We have made mistakes, and we cannot concede two goals that we conceded in the first half. Overall, we were much better and had so many changes, and also, I have to complain about the penalty. It is a clear red card. I don't understand the decision, but we have to analyse our mistakes. They should have played 30 minutes with 10 players.

"They told me that it is not a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, but I can't see a clearer one, in the six-yard box. Some of these decisions you see sides, but this one I see no elements. I don't understand it.

"I think we have done everything to get the win. After the goals we conceded, the second half was very good. Areola was incredible. But now it is not a good result. We deserved more, but we have to look at what we did wrong at the beginning of the game. It is frustrating for us.

"Today was that they benefited from our mistakes, but I don't think they created any other chances. We can't concede, and the way we conceded was too simple."

On Enes Unal's goal: "I am very happy for Enes. A long time, an ACL in the same knee. He has had to do hard work to be available for us, and I a happy for him. He had another chance to score the third one, but I am happy for him."

Striker Enes Unal speaking to BBC's Match of the Day: "It feels great to score again. The game was really tough, and they made it really hard for us. We were not composed enough in the first half, and then in the second half, amazing performance. We want three points, but I am happy.

"We wanted to win. Our only objective was three points, but with how the game went, we take the point. Great point, and hopefully this will give us the courage to go to a difficult away game next week and get three points.

"A lot of teams make it an aggressive game, and they will test us, and we need to be ready. We have made mistakes, and that comes from the courage. We have great characters, and we will fix it."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth avoided defeat in a Premier League game having trailed by 2+ goals for the first time since August 2024 (3-2 v Everton), having lost each of their previous eight such matches before today.

Listen to Iraola on BBC Sounds