Bournemouth

Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in Bournemouth's 21-year-old left-back Milos Kerkez. (Sky Sports), external

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Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

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Amid the latest round of speculation over the futures of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Bournemouth's other stars, there will be one outgoing move from Vitality Stadium that will fly somewhat under the radar.

Burnley's promotion to the Premier League, under ex-Cherries boss Scott Parker, was confirmed this week and will trigger an obligation to buy winger Jaidon Anthony, who has spent this season on loan at Turf Moor, for a reported fee of £8m.

Anthony was on Arsenal's books as a schoolboy before joining Bournemouth as a 16-year-old and his time with the Cherries encompassed six different managers.

Although he did not make the first team under Eddie Howe, Anthony debuted under Jason Tindall and featured in the 2021 FA Cup quarter-final under his successor Jonathan Woodgate.

However, his best run in the team came under his now-Clarets manager Parker, appearing in 45 out of 46 league games in the 2021-22 Championship promotion season and scoring eight goals.

Playing more of a substitute role in the top flight, Anthony nevertheless netted three times in the Premier League under Gary O'Neil, including the winner at Nottingham Forest as the Cherries came from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 and collect the league's Most Improbable Comeback award for 2022-23.

And despite featuring in Andoni Iraola's early games as Bournemouth boss, Anthony has found himself loaned out to high-flying Championship clubs, Leeds and Burnley, for the past two seasons.

With the Cherries having several fringe players out on loan, Anthony is unlikely to be the last to be ultimately deemed surplus to requirements.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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It has been another remarkable season for the Cherries, with the club eclipsing their previous best-ever points tally with games to spare and also remaining in the race for European football next season, but are they ready to host European nights on the south coast?

I think the majority of Bournemouth fans would agree that the club will simply cross that bridge when it comes to it, but the evident drop off in intensity levels this season begs the question as to whether they could sustain such high performance levels if another competition was added into the mix.

Andoni Iraola's and Bournemouth's style is there for all to see - a brave relentless press that is joyous to watch but also energy zapping.

It is no surprise that keeping up such a tactic is a tall order during the gruelling Premier League schedule, but this isn't Andoni's first rodeo.

He implemented this particular way of playing at both Mirandes and, more notably, Rayo Vallecano in Spain. But, as much as they were both highly successful, they too showed a clear decline in form in the latter stages of seasons.

He may well have learned from such experiences but if the Cherries are to achieve European football, either this season or in the future, then the powers that be would need to be busy recruiting more depth to assist Iraola in being able to maintain his philosophy.

It's something that is quietly being debated but, on the whole, football is about those memories - those moments you never forget.

So it could well be a demanding task for the south coast outfit, but following 'little old Bournemouth' around Europe is something every Cherry would embrace.

Let's cross that bridge IF it comes to it, I say.

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 game between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Rob: After a sluggish first half, we were ironically better with only 10 players in the second. Dug in and defended well while occasionally threatening in attack. The players clearly have the FA Cup semi-final on their minds - a definite drop in intensity in the league recently.

Trevor: A hard-fought point and a clean sheet is a big improvement. It might have been more if it hadn't been for ridiculous refereeing errors, but there wasn't enough ambition up front even in the first half. We need to up our game for the next couple of games or our season will fizzle out all too quickly. VAR needs to look at two yellows. No complaints for the two reds against Brighton but both of the yellows Richards received today were ridiculous and both Alex Scott and Tyler Adams should have had two yellows each.

Paul: Not sure how a game like this ended up with so many cards? Not really any bad fouls as such and a very harsh red for Richards. Good point and a much-needed clean sheet.

Bournemouth fans

Merlin: Disappointed that we couldn't snatch a win as they played with 10 men for 45 minutes. However we're still in a Europe position and we will be fighting for that Conference League spot. There is still hope!

Patrick: We've lost our mojo. I'd like to see more deep crosses into the box and more shots at goal from outside the box. It's boring and frustrating to watch. Come on lads we're better than this.

Matthew: An absolute non-event, other than the sending off and flurry of cards. The referee was far too trigger-happy early on. I feel we would have coped better against 11, -t least that would have given us the opportunities to counter that we thrive on. We can bounce back by securing the double over Manchester United.

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Before the game it wouldn't have been a bad point but considering we were playing against 10 for more than 45 minutes it's disappointing.

"We didn't have the creativity and you have to be super creative or shoot from very far. We couldn't find the chances.

"It feels like a missed opportunity. Two more points would have been lovely for us. But we are still in the fight [for Europe]. We have to keep going. We have five games remaining and are in the fight."

On Bournemouth achieving a new club record Premier League points tally: "We still have five games to add more points."

On whether Alex Scott should have been sent-off after a foul while on a yellow card: "No, I don't think so."

On reports of a new contract: "No, Bill [Foley] is coming to the Manchester United game next week. We'll talk but nothing special."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards' dismissal in first-half stoppage time left Bournemouth with a golden opportunity to register back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since January.

Unfortunately for manager Andoni Iraola and his players, it was an opportunity they failed to grasp.

The Cherries dominated possession in the first half but were fortunate not to go down to 10 men themselves when midfielder Alex Scott, who was already on a yellow card for an earlier foul, felled Ismaila Sarr from behind.

However, after opting against showing Scott a second yellow, referee Sam Barratt proceeded to send off Richards for a similar infringement, leaving Palace incensed and Bournemouth with a man advantage for the entire second half.

Palace had conceded five goals in each of their previous two league games but the Cherries rarely looked like breaking the deadlock after the interval, despite continuing to enjoy the lion's share of the ball.

Bournemouth could end the weekend eight points adrift of the top seven, although eighth spot may yet be enough to secure a place in Europe for the first time in their history.

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Bournemouth have drawn three consecutive away matches for just the second time in the Premier League, after also doing so in March/April 2017 under Eddie Howe. Meanwhile, no side have drawn more away games than the Cherries in the top-flight this term (seven, alongside Arsenal).

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

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

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Brentford v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Everton v Manchester City

• West Ham v Southampton

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:30 BST)

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I was at St James' Park on Wednesday and Newcastle were brilliant in their 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, especially on the break.

The Eagles should really have levelled after going 1-0 down, but Eberechi Eze made a mess of his penalty and the game was over by half-time.

It has been a bad week for Palace, who also conceded five goals against Manchester City on Saturday, and how can I back them after they have shipped 10 goals in two games?

I am not exactly convinced by Bournemouth either, though. They ended a poor run by beating Fulham on Monday but they have looked a little tired of late, and don't have as much firepower as Newcastle or Manchester City.

My concern about Palace is how passive they looked against the Magpies. They need a response to that poor performance, and I think we might get one from them at Selhurst Park. Surely Eze can't play as badly again.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola confirmed forward Justin Kluivert will be available and other players "should also be fine". However, winger Luis Sinisterra will be out.

• He praised Kepa Arizabalaga and said the goalkeeper made his side "feel safe", adding that it is not always about making great saves. Iraola pointed to Kepa's experience as it brings "confidence and assurance" to the squad.

• The Spaniard said he has determined his starting centre-back pairing for the game - but was unwilling to disclose the information.

• Iraola is also happy with the points tally accrued by his players so far this season and stated that it was "one of their goals".

• On Palace: "They are coming in a great run of results. They want to control the games very well. They don't concede a lot and they are very well organised, so it is not easy to play against them. They have individual players who can make the difference."

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

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Former Bournemouth defender Steve Cook spoke to BBC Radio Solent about the current defenders at the club: "At such a young age, they are playing with such a maturity and I think the recruitment in that department has been amazing.

"I have played with some good centre-halves in my time, but to play with them would have been amazing.

"It's a great back four, and I thought Adam Smith was superb [against Fulham]. He has been out for a long time and come in and put up a performance - that sums up his professionalism and is a great representative of the club."

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Bournemouth are winless in their past 10 Premier League games in London, since a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace in December 2023.

Each of their past four games in the capital have all ended 2-2 in draws against Fulham, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham this season.

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Former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington spoke to BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked podcast about reports linking Cherries boss Andoni Iraola with Tottenham.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has come under pressure in recent weeks - his side are 15th in the Premier League, seven spots below Bournemouth.

"Iraola is doing a wonderful job at Bournemouth," Partington said.

"He did a wonderful job at his previous club too, and I suppose the natural progression of a manager who does well at the clubs who aren't deemed as being 'bigger' clubs is being hunted by those bigger clubs."

Speaking further, he said: "There are some clubs in the UK at the moment which are difficult to manage. Tottenham is one of them, Manchester United is another one. There are clubs underperforming.

"If you are one of those clubs who believes they should be near the top of the Premier League and you're looking at the clubs that maybe shouldn't, Bournemouth is probably one of them. And then you look at the manager [Iraola] and the impact he's had, not just on the pitch but certainly off it as well, you want that - that is something you seek to try to achieve.

"Maybe Tottenham are the club that Iraola believes is the opportunity he needs to showcase himself at the top of the game, but it's a very difficult place to go in and do well, as many other managers who have been very successful have found recently."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked podcast has landed.

The team look back over Bournemouth's win against Fulham, debate the Cherries' chances of qualifying for European football and discuss boss Andoni Iraola's future.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Just when a run of six Premier League games without a win had threatened to derail Bournemouth's season, the Cherries moved firmly back on track with Monday's 1-0 win over Fulham which lifted them to eighth place on goal difference, and back in the mix for potential European qualification.

The complicated mathematical conundrum of 'how many English teams can qualify for Europe' has been made a little clearer with confirmation of a fifth Champions League slot, while Aston Villa's elimination from the top-tier Uefa competition on Tuesday leaves Arsenal as the Premier League's sole remaining representative.

The second-placed Gunners hold a nine-point advantage over sixth place with six games left, leaving the 'what if Arsenal win the Champions League but finish outside the top five' permutation receding into improbability.

So, five teams for the Champions League, sixth place for the Europa League, and – making the assumption that Newcastle, with their game in hand, might also expect to finish in the top six – the Magpies' Conference League spot (for winning the EFL Cup) should go to seventh place.

Or, potentially lower. The four FA Cup semi-finalists are Nottingham Forest (3rd), Manchester City (5th), Villa (7th) and Crystal Palace (12th). So, as things stand, any of the first three of those teams lifting the Cup would drop Conference League qualification to eighth place.

While the six-point gap between seventh and eighth looks challenging with only six games left, Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton are locked on 48 points between eighth and 10th – so it will not just be Brighton's long-established rivalry with Palace making sure that this trio of teams will hope anyone other than the Eagles lifts the FA Cup.

That said, those last half-dozen games are far from straightforward for Andoni Iraola's Cherries, who face Palace, Manchester United, Arsenal, Villa, Manchester City and Leicester.

However, the only one of those teams to defeat Bournemouth in the reverse fixtures earlier this season was… seemingly relegation-doomed Leicester, which just shows how trying to make any sort of prediction at this stage of the season is almost impossible!