Bournemouth

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

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It had been a miserable two months for Bournemouth in the Premier League.

After putting themselves firmly in the running for European football next term, it looked like those dreams were fading after a winless run of six league games.

Gathering just two points from a possible 18, Andoni Iraola's side were slipping down the table.

How quickly things can change. All Bournemouth needed was 53 seconds.

Antoine Semenyo's early clinical finish was enough for the Cherries to avoid falling six points behind Fulham and ensure their European hopes lived on.

Eighth place - where Bournemouth now find themselves - is likely to be enough for a Europa Conference League qualification spot, as long as League Cup champions Newcastle and the winners of the FA Cup finish in the top seven.

However, there is still a long road ahead and Bournemouth face three of the top seven in their next six games, with a tricky run of fixtures against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Bournemouth defeated Fulham with a first-minute goal from Antoine Semenyo.

Were you at Vitality Stadium or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

I watched Bournemouth against West Ham last week and they deserved to beat them, so I don't think their form is as bad as their run of two points from their past six games suggests.

Fulham, meanwhile, took the scalp of mighty Liverpool to underline how capable they are - but they seem to lack the consistency they will need to really push for the Champions League places from here.

Let's face it, though, I find both of these teams very hard to predict.

Whichever way I go with this one, the opposite will happen - so I am going to hedge my bets and go for a draw.

I was going to go for it to finish 2-2 because both teams have got a lot about them going forward, but my daughter, Sophia, says it will be 1-1. If I lose this week because of this game, then it is her fault.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say

Bournemouth and Chelsea are willing to pay 35m euros (£30.3m) to sign 23-year-old American midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Spanish club Real Betis. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Ryan Christie having groin surgery: "Christie is out for the season. He has needed surgery and he has been pushing through pain all season but now is the moment where his body tells him no, it's enough you can't keep playing. Our aim with him is to have him ready to start pre-season."

• With more team news: "We still have three days until Monday night, so we will try with Justin [Kluivert], Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra. Of the three of them, Sinisterra is the one with less of a chance but we will try. That's our situation right now."

• On rivalry with Fulham: "We are three points behind them. They are a team who we have been fighting against more or less since the two seasons that I have been here. I think we just finished above them last season. They are in a good spot after beating Liverpool and I hope that now we can play well, because I feel like we need it."

• He also said: "I think that they have a very nice squad, they don't have a star or a best player but I like a lot of the players and they perform consistently very well."

• Iraola says "he has enough problems now" in a joking manner and has not started thinking about transfer business in the summer.

• On Dean Huijsen's future: "My only concern with Dean is that he keeps his focus here. He trains very well, he's very focused on improving individually and improving the team collectively. We have some important games ahead of us and I see him in a really good place. I don't think the noise around him is affecting him, I see him in a good place."

• On Alex Scott's best position: "With Alex with me, it's quite clear what his best position is which is the number eight. That's where he's more comfortable and he can develop as a great number eight. But he can also play as a six, a 10, a winger and also a right-back."

• On not winning in the six games: "Obviously we have not been as brilliant playing but I think we have been competitive. I think the main difference has been the goals we have conceded. We have conceded two goals against Ipswich, Brentford and West Ham. These are games that previously we have managed better."

• On player's feeling fatigue, Iraola said the only game he felt it was an issue was against Manchester City in the FA Cup but he concedes injuries have had an impact on their "offensive level" from the bench.

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

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The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked is available now on BBC Sounds.

Jordan Clark and former Cherries defender Joe Partington discuss the team's winless run, Ryan Christie's groin injury and Evanilson's fine goalscoring run.

Listen on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on what nobody is currently talking about at Bournemouth, but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Nathan: We've had a real dip in form. Players looking tired and injuries are affecting the squad again. Some favourable fixtures coming up so hopefully finish the season strong.

Jules: Bournemouth fans talk about him but it's about time everyone recognised what a player Ryan Christie is. Great attitude and great work ethic and what he does on the pitch is brilliant. He'll be missed for the rest of the season, but hopefully having the surgery now will see him fighting fit for next season.

Bernard: A lot of supporters might not agree with this but although I loved the good run we had, I always had a feeling that we were punching above our weight. I hope we can have a good run in and recover our previous good form. At the start of the season, I said I would be very happy with a top-half finish. That still remains. Anything else will be a bonus for me.

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I think in the last five games or so Bournemouth have been conceding too many goals, which then applies a lot of pressure in terms of the team trying to continue to get wins and positive outcomes.

At times this season you could argue they have been overperforming, especially given the nature of the injury crisis that they had.

The style of play they have is very much on the front foot, it's high energy, it's lots of sprints, being able to stretch your opposition, and being a really good attacking force.

I think at times maybe there are moments where they possibly do need to slow it down which I don't think is necessarily their strength. Andoni Iraola's style means they can win against anyone, but, unfortunately for them, they can also go on runs like this.

They are still a very good side. There's still a chance that come the end of the season they could be in Europe. But, with the difficulty of this league, some of these dips in form can come at the worst time.

For Bournemouth it's just a case of trying to maintain belief because as soon as you lose it, you start to see some of the flaws that maybe existed before.

When you're playing well and winning, it's the easiest game in the world. But, ultimately, the teams you play against in the Premier League are just as good as you are most of the time.

It's not like Iraola is a 10-year veteran manager and what he says after games is valid because he's showing that at times his squad are missing out on understanding the details of a game. Like sometimes you need to go and press, even when you feel uncomfortable, and the benefit of that might be seen in five or 10 minutes time.

I think the squad that he has and the position that they're in is a new one to the vast majority of them. As a consequence, they're still learning as they're going through it, so I think they'll be better for these experiences in the future.

They will just hope that the future for them is going to be really positive in the coming weeks as opposed to in the coming seasons.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

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Coming into this matchday, only Manchester City (289) have forced more high turnovers in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (287), with a league-high 61 of the Cherries' high turnovers ending in a shot.

Andoni Iraola's side have also faced the fewest shots following high turnovers in the competition this term (26).

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Bournemouth were able to ride the wave of their injury problems over the winter months. January's back-to-back wins over Newcastle (4-1) and Nottingham Forest (5-0), with a heavily depleted squad and no senior strikers available, will live long in the memory.

However, as March becomes April, Andoni Iraola's side are feeling the squeeze in other areas.

Despite Saturday's draw at West Ham extending their unusual sequence of four successive 2-2 draws at away games in London, the Cherries have only taken two points from a possible 18 in their last six Premier League games.

In the centre of the park, Justin Kluivert has missed the last two games with a muscle injury, while Ryan Christie has been playing through the pain of a groin problem for some time.

Christie posted "Time to heal" on social media earlier this week, and on Wednesday the club confirmed what many had suspected, that the Scotland international has now had surgery which will end his season.

Kluivert and Christie have been integral to Iraola's high-energy, high-pressing system, and their work rate is not easily replaced.

However, the return to fitness of Adam Smith and Julian Araujo to cover the right-back position will allow Lewis Cook – who had deputised at full-back for most of the winter – to return to his natural central midfield role alongside Tyler Adams.

And as fan writer Tom Jordan pointed out on this page yesterday, it also presents England Under-21 international Alex Scott with an opportunity to force his way into the side.

Another encouraging sign at West Ham was the performance of academy midfielder Ben Winterburn, introduced off the bench in the 78th minute for the longest of his three league appearances.

The Hampshire-born 20-year-old, who joined the Cherries as an under-11, caught the eye with the levels of energy an Iraola team requires, and won the free-kick from which Bournemouth equalised.

He can expect more minutes before the end of the season.

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Bournemouth have confirmed Ryan Christie has undergone "successful surgery" after a groin injury he has been monitoring.

The club said he was assessed after coming off during the game against Ipswich.

Christie said on social media it is "time to heal".

In a statement the club said: "It was decided that surgery would be the best course of action for Ryan's recovery and he will return to the club's Performance Centre to begin a process of rehabilitation."

Bournemouth's hopes of European qualification have been dented in recent weeks with an inconsistent run of Premier League form and the club's exit from the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

But Cherries fans, you know your club best and we want you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody is currently talking about at Bournemouth.

Let us know your thoughts here

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham manager Graham Potter was continuously standing on the edge of his technical area, arms folded and observing the game for the most part, while two members of his staff - assistant manager Bruno and first-team coach Narcis Pelach - were up and down from the bench.

It was the coaches who interacted with the fourth official rather than the manager, and calling subs over from their warm-up. Pelach was usually alongside Potter when West Ham had an attacking free-kick.

Potter and Bruno were often in conversation after key moments and before any tactical changes.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was much more excitable - almost on the pitch as he issued instructions to his players.

This was particularly prevalent early on, though in the second half he spent more time on the bench conversing with staff as the flow of the game changed. He would also take a much more direct role in interacting with his players - both on the pitch and with the subs - than Potter.

See what all the other managers did

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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Bournemouth have a whole host of young stars shining bright on the highest stage this season.

Centre-back Illia Zabarnyi plays well above his years, Milos Kerkez is one of the most exciting left-backs in the league and Dean Huijsen's reported £50m release clause feels remarkably cheap!

But now, maybe it is time for another of the Cherries' "wonderkids" to go and grab the headlines.

In Alex Scott, Bournemouth signed one of the Championship's most elite players.

Having already established himself with England's under-21s, Scott was very highly thought of when he made the move to the south coast from Bristol City.

Frustratingly for him, a number of injury issues have hampered his progress with the Cherries, but given that he is fully fit for the run-in, it could well be his moment to thrive.

As a central midfielder who is equally happy to drop off and play from a deeper position, Scott's skillset is high, as he is adept at driving at his opponents from a more offensive role. But in an impressive campaign for Andoni Iraola's side, Scott has found himself on the fringes of the squad throughout.

Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams have been consistently superb and Ryan Christie has been instrumental all season long. However, with Christie out with a groin issue, this could well end his season prematurely, so this certainly feels like it could be Alex's moment to show the Premier League just how good he is.

There is no doubting Scott's quality, he has shown what a joy to watch he can be, but keeping fit and nailing a role in Iraola's system is now paramount.

Seven big games for Bournemouth, seven big games for Alex Scott.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

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

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Robert: There's progress under Potter but the style of play has been similar under three coaches which suggest perhaps we have the wrong mix of players. We certainly need more pace and creativity in the team. Niclas Fullkrug's run of games now should help us score more goals.

Stephen: Graham Potter got his starting XI wrong. In the second half with the introduction of Fullkrug, the game changed in our favour as it gave Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen more opportunities. Probably a fair result but still a frustrating team to watch.

Mik: It's disturbing that we need an entire half before we can get into a game. It's nothing new as it happened under David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui as well, but Graham Potter has to get his side on it from the start. Bournemouth were quicker and better from the start. This must change.

Bournemouth fans

Stu: Lacking the energy and drive we had at the start of the season. Too many misplaced passes and missing that sparkle. A draw away isn't all that bad but a month or so ago we'd be winning games like this. I think European football is a step too far this season but plenty to build on for 2025-26.

Andrew: Fell asleep for a spell in the second half which gave West Ham the impetus. Fortunately we squared things, which set up a fun final 10 minutes where tactics and formula football went out the window for both sides.

Matthew: Fine margins. Clearly the better side on the day, but only one stat counts. It will either click for the Cherries soon, or we look to regroup and strengthen for 2025-26.

Bournemouth will demand £40m for Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez, 21, who is on Liverpool's radar. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, the Cherries and Brighton are keeping an eye on 18-year-old Bristol Rovers midfielder Kofi Shaw. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton

• Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Only a few weeks ago, Bournemouth were firmly on course to secure European football for the first time in their history.

They were fifth in the Premier League having beaten Southampton 3-1 in February, but following the 2-2 draw at West Ham on Saturday, they now have an uphill task to make it to Europe next season.

Andoni Iraola's side are now without a win in six league games, losing four of those and are now six points behind fifth-placed Manchester City and five behind Newcastle, who are seventh and have two games in hand.

They have conceded twice in each of their past five league outings while also lacked the firepower up front, with 12-goal top scorer Justin Kluivert once again out injured for the trip to London.

However, Evanilson's purple patch in attack will give them some hope as they look to make a strong finish to the season.

The Brazilian has struck in three straight league games and has six goals in as many matches across all competitions.

In their remaining games in April, they will face Fulham and Crystal Palace, two sides who also have European ambitions, before hosting Manchester United on 27 April.

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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the draw: "I think you have to value one point here, but you probably value it more when you don't deserve it. I think we were the team with more chances. I don't think it's a good point because we were closer than them to winning it.

"Evanilson is helping us all season. He broke his foot and had to rest a little bit, but he is finishing very strong at the end of the season. We are scoring lots of goals but the reason why we aren't winning is from the other side.

"We really should not concede two goals in this game. It's not a game where you should be conceding two goals. We conceded from two crosses. From very little, we concede two goals and it cost us a lot.

"We are not being effective. When you have the better chances, you are not feeling happy with a point. They had very little chances, but it's true that on the set plays we did not mark [Niclas] Fullkrug. The second goal is more merit for them, it is a great header.

"But it's very little to concede two goals and it's costing us a lot more. I'm not happy with a point."