Bournemouth

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  1. 'I'm very happy with Evanilson's performance'published at 22:28 14 September 2024

    Andoni Iraola managing BournemouthImage source, Getty Images

    Andoni Iraola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Bournemouth's defeat against Chelsea: "I'm really disappointed with the result. I'm very proud of the performance and we had more chances than them. They had more of the ball in a situation where it wasn't dangerous. Their keeper played very well."

    "Against this kind of opposition, if you don't take your chances and you miss a penalty, you feel like they will punish you and they did in the end. We can't ask much more of our players. We have to keep in the same way and try to make these final attempts better.

    On Evanilson: "I will not value his performance because he has scored. He has had a lot of chances. He created the penalty and he has been very good. He wants to score for sure but I will not focus on this. I am very happy with his performance.

    "It's football. We played at home against Newcastle and Cheslea with two very good games and we have one point. We played very well, had more chances, pushed them and you have to punish them and we didn't.

  2. Did you know?published at 22:14 14 September 2024

    Chelsea's Noni Madueke and Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier compete for the ballImage source, Getty Images

    There were 14 yellow cards shown in Chelsea's victory against Bournemouth (six for Bournemouth, eight for Chelsea), the most ever issued in a single Premier League game.

  3. Pressure builds on £40m Evanilsonpublished at 21:58 14 September 2024

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter, at the Vitality Stadium

    Evanilson BournemouthImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth striker Evanilson missed a penalty in the defeat to Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night.

    There was little reaction from the 24-year-old Brazilian, signed from Porto for a club-record £40million this summer, but the 36th-minute spot kick felt like a pressure moment that got the better of him.

    It has to be said that Evanilson worked hard and that effort helped win the penalty in the first place when capitalising on a Wesley Fofana error.

    But in cruel fashion for the Cherries, substitute Christopher Nkunku's sharp 86th-minute finished earned the west Londoners a smash-and-grab victory.

    However, we have seen this many times before across the Premier League, and now four games into his start on the South Coast, he is still without a goal.

    That penalty miss will only served to amp up the scrutiny on the Cherries, as Evanilson was substituted in the 68th minute, especially after a match that they deserved to win, having outplayed the well-funded visitors.

    His deputy Enes Unal will also be knocking on Andoni Iraola's door as a capable deputy with Premier League experience.

  4. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:49 14 September 2024

    Southampton v Manchester United, Brighton v Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace v Leicester City, Fulham v West Ham United, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Manchester City v Brentford, Aston Villa v Everton, Bournemouth v Chelsea

    There are eight Premier League games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

    All time are BST

    Follow live here

    BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

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  5. Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Chelseapublished at 10:21 14 September 2024

    Chris Sutton with Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi

    Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

    For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    Bournemouth are still unbeaten this season, even if their win at Everton was fortunate - they had a good five minutes, but that was it... which is a bit like the way my career went.

    I really don't know what to expect from Chelsea though, or if Cole Palmer is going to be fit enough to play. Because of that, I am going to sit on the fence and go for a draw.

    Koleoso's prediction: 2-1

    I am going with Bournemouth here - this is a tough fixture.

    Ogunjobi prediction: 1-2

    We are are leaky defensively but I still think we will win.

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  6. 'We all want Evanilson to score straight away'published at 18:03 13 September 2024

    EvanilsonImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is optimistic Evanilson will continue to progress further, despite being yet to open his account for the club.

    The Cherries signed the Brazil striker from Porto last month for a club record fee which could rise to £40.2m.

    "He has been very good. I think he played very well against Newcastle and West Ham, probably not against Everton," Iraola said.

    "But he has played about 120 Premier League minutes. We all want him to score straight away, but I'm happy with the performances he has had."

    Iraola is pleased with what the 24-year-old has brought to the team and believes he has taken advantage of more time to practise during the international break.

    "It's been very good for him because we could spend more time with him individually, analysing things that we will ask from him, to understand better collectively what we will try to do," Iraola added.

    "It's also been a very good time for him personally - to settle in, to find his house and the school for his daughter. He's probably more relaxed now.

    "I'm not focusing on whether he is going to score or not. I want him to help us and that's what we'll ask him [against Chelsea on Saturday]."

  7. Iraola on Unal's return, 'loving' late kick-offs and 'important' Smithpublished at 15:15 13 September 2024

    Millie Sian
    BBC Sport journalist

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

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Tyler Adams and Dango Ouattara will not be available for the game: "Tyler is still recovering from his surgery - I think he is doing well. Dango has come back injured from the national team - it is unlucky for us and unlucky for him." Iraola confirmed that Ouattara "twisted his ankle".

    • However, David Brooks and Enes Unal could be in contention after recovering from their injuries. Brooks has "trained properly for two weeks" now and Enes "has a chance to be involved" after training with the squad this week.

    • On-loan Kepa Arrizabalaga will be ineligible to play against his parent club, so Mark Travers will start in goal and Iraola is "confident" he will "do well".

    • On preparing to face Chelsea with so many first-team players away on international duty: "It is a strange one. You have almost two weeks to prepare, but you are really training with nine or 10 players and then everyone comes back and you have one or two days to do everything you were preparing. I suppose it is the same for every team."

    • Iraola said there are "some similarities" between Enzo Maresca's new-look Chelsea and the Blues side he faced last season: "They have most of the same players, but it is going to be a difficult game for us. Tactically, in these first three games, they have used three different structures because they have lots of players and alternatives."

    • He revealed that he "loves" a late kick-off: "I think the big games are at night. It is probably easier for me because in Spain kick-offs at 8pm on a Saturday are quite normal. I like it and I remember liking it when I was a player."

    • On having the opportunity to work with new signing Evanilson during the international break: "For me and him, it has been very good. We have been able to spend more time with him individually, analysing things that we will ask from him on the pitch. I think he understands better, collectively, what we are trying to do."

    • Iraola said Adam Smith is "very important" to his project at the club, after he signed a contract extension until 2026: "He understands the game and realises that, once you get to a certain age, he has to earn the right to continue playing in the Premier League. He has really done it and he deserves it."

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

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  8. Smith 'absolutely delighted' to sign extensionpublished at 15:04 12 September 2024

    Adam Smith celebratingImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth defender Adam Smith has spoken of his delight to sign a one-year contract extension and of the "amazing impact" Andoni Iraola has had at the club.

    Speaking to the club's official website, external, Smith said: “I’m absolutely delighted to stay here for another season.

    “I feel absolutely amazing to be honest and the journey continues.”

    The 33-year-old joined the club permanently in 2014 from Tottenham and has gone on to make over 350 appearances for the Cherries.

    Last season he helped Bournemouth achieve their highest ever points total in the top division, and he praised Iraola for what he has done in his time at the club.

    “I think it was what I needed when the gaffer came in, something different," said Smith.

    “A different style of play, I think the age I’m at, it really suits the way I play at the moment. The front-foot pressing.

    “Since he has come in, he has been amazing and hopefully we can have an even better season.

    “I think it’s probably one of the best squads I’ve played in over these years. So much talent, all still very young with a lot of improvement. It’s very exciting times.”

  9. Does Cook deserve an England call up?published at 12:33 12 September 2024

    Your views banner
    Lewis CookImage source, Getty Images

    We asked you to tell us one thing that is going under the radar at Bournemouth at the moment. It's simple, what is something nobody is talking about but really should be?

    Here are some of your comments:

    David: The stadium, or lack of, seems to be on the back burner at the moment.

    Jack: Lewis Cook. He quietly went about his business under Gary O'Neil and has flourished under Iraola. Cook might not rank highly for goals (his one against Everton a collector's item) and assists but his work rate, tackling, running and range of passing is excellent. With a lack of central midfield options, it's time Cook got an England call up!

    Robbie: We should talk about Bournemouth's squad depth and the ability of Iraola to utilise this to the max. As demonstrated against Everton, there are plenty of game-changers on the bench and the manager is tactically adept enough to make the most of them.

    Stew: Why won't everyone admit that Andoni Iraola will not be coaching Bournemouth next year? He will be managing one of the top five clubs in Europe because at least three of the top five will be sacked as their managers are not good enough.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  10. News 'most at Bournemouth suspected'published at 16:19 11 September 2024

    Mark Mitchener
    BBC Sport senior journalist

    Bournemouth expert view banner
    Dango Ouattara's header for Bournemouth against NewcastleImage source, Getty Images

    Buried in Tuesday’s announcement from the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) review panel that Declan Rice’s red card for Arsenal against Brighton was justified, was the news that most at Bournemouth had suspected – that in the previous week, their disallowed goal against Newcastle should have been allowed to stand.

    In that 1-1 draw on 25 August, Dango Ouattara’s stoppage-time header was given as a goal by on-field referee David Coote with no protests from the Newcastle defenders, but video assistant referee (VAR) Tim Robinson decided it was a "factual handball" and chalked it off, without even allowing Coote to visit the replay screen to make up his own mind.

    But as reported by ESPN, external, the five-strong KMI panel unanimously agreed that VAR had made a mistake and the goal should have stood. Those five votes were among only nine out of 420 votes (on 84 incidents reviewed across the first three rounds of fixtures) where the panellists felt VAR was in error.

    Someone who will be hoping for better fortunes from the officials when he returns to action will be local boxer and lifelong Bournemouth fan Chris Billam-Smith, who will be putting his WBO world cruiserweight title on the line in a unification bout against WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez in November.

    Billam-Smith has a strong following among Cherries supporters – and will be at Vitality Stadium this Thursday evening for a special BBC Radio 5 Live show, where he will discuss his career with presenter Steve Bunce and take questions from the audience in a special recording of the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

    Tickets for the show are still available – and are free – and can be booked via the BBC Shows and Tours website.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  11. What is the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 12:05 11 September 2024

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    It has been a positive start to the season for Bournemouth with one (memorable) win at Everton and two draws from their opening three games.

    There have been some plaudits for the way Andoni Iraola has got the Cherries playing, but what is the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about?

    Tell us over here, external - and we'll feature replies on Thursday

  12. Bournemouth v Chelsea - did you know?published at 11:23 11 September 2024

    Head coach Andoni Iraola celebrates Bournemouth's winning goal at EvertonImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth and Chelsea have scored four second-half goals in the Premier League this season, which is a joint league-high.

    The Cherries' goals have all come after the 86th minutes, while all four of the Blues' came in their only away game so far - a 6-2 victory at Wolves.

  13. Should Cook be on Carsley's radar?published at 12:51 10 September 2024

    Sam Davis
    Fan writer

    Bournemouth fan's voice banner
    Lewis CookImage source, Getty Images

    Following Bournemouth’s late, late show at Goodison Park, Lewis Cook earned a place in Alan Shearer’s official Premier League "team of the week". To some Cherries fans, it was quite a surprise, not least maybe to cook himself who told Match of the Day it was one of his "worst performances".

    As a whole, the Cherries only showed up with 10 minutes of football to play; however, Cook did finally notch his first Premier League goal, fittingly on a day where he took on the captaincy following Neto’s departure to Arsenal.

    Therefore, it definitely feels the appropriate time to talk about him, particularly as it often seem as if he is overlooked outside of the Bournemouth fanbase. Cherries fans love him. He is the glue that makes everything stick in the middle of the park and, after some tough spells on the sidelines, he’s definitely providing the football intelligence and quality we have been pining for since his arrival back in 2016.

    We knew what we were signing back then - a young, exciting player with a ridiculous amount of potential - but sadly it has been a bit too stop-start due to many fitness issues and injuries.

    But now, a fully fit Lewis Cook, when combined with Andoni Iraola’s brand of football, is a sumptuous thing to witness. A special player.

    Operating in the deeper midfield role in Iraola’s system, Cook is tasked with receiving the ball and getting the team playing, a role he is relishing. As a result, he has made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet under Iraola.

    An England call-up around the corner? Watch this space.

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

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  14. How did Bournemouth's summer spending compare to others?published at 09:48 9 September 2024

    The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

    Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

    The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

    On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

    Bournemouth had a net spend of £32.7m.

    A graph showing Bournemouth's net spend in the summer transfer window. The net spend is £32.7m. There are seven players bought and five sold.
  15. Photos of the weekpublished at 08:15 6 September 2024

    The joy and despair of football.

    Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola celebrates while Everton manager Sean Dyche looks angry after the Cherries' late winner in their 3-2 comeback victory at Goodison Park.Image source, Getty Images

    Just the despair.

    Everton defender James Tarkowski looks dismayedImage source, Getty Images

    Some things you wait for.

    Flags in support of Sandro Tonali as he returned to Newcastle's team after his banImage source, Getty Images

    And others never take long to arrive.

    Erling Haaland and Bernado Silva celebrate the former scoring for Manchester City at West HamImage source, Getty Images

    There are awkward moments.

    Thomas Frank high-fives Brentford's mascotImage source, Getty Images

    There are planned moments.

    Nicolas Jackson celebrates with his gun saluteImage source, Getty Images

    Chaotic moments.

    Fulham and Ipswich compete in Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    Sometimes there are moments of genius.

    Eberechi Eze scores for Crystal Palace at ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    And, occasionally, the moment just calls for romance.

    Trent Alexander Arnold kisses a TV camera after thinking he had opened the scoring for Liverpool at Manchester United - only for the goal to then be disallowed for offsideImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'All very promising' so 'enjoy it while it lasts'published at 16:14 5 September 2024

    Your views banner
    Andoni IraolaImage source, PA Media

    We asked you for your views on how Bournemouth have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

    According to our little poll on Wednesday, Cherries fans are confident of a successful season with two thirds predicting Andoni Iraola's side for a top-half finish.

    Here is a flavour of your comments:

    James: Five points from the first nine is a great start and if it wasn't for VAR it could easily have been nine out of nine. In my view, Saturday showed a willingness to fight for every point and that we never give up. This is all very promising for what will at times be a tough season.

    Robin: For me, it's all about keeping our manager. I love our style of football. We have the players and our owner will spend to keep the squad fresh. An exciting time to be a Cherries fan.

    Toby: An unbeaten start combined with a captivating comeback gives Bournemouth a superb springboard to work on. Antoine Semenyo, as predicted, is the electrifying enabler for the fans' ecstasy and elation - and he just keeps improving. While life without Dominic Solanke has not seemed erratic, it is essential that Evanilson accustoms to the Premier League quickly to ensure safety

    Stew: Bad news I'm afraid. Our coach is so good that we will be lucky to keep him past this season but let's enjoy it while it lasts. He might stay if we qualified for Europe but I think that is a wish to far.

    Kathryn: We can score goals! A bit earlier than in the last game though please! The new team still gelling but it's been a good start.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  17. Should we just rename the 'Most Improbable Comeback' award?published at 17:04 4 September 2024

    Mark Mitchener
    BBC Sport senior journalist

    Bournemouth expert view banner

    While the football world enjoys giving out more and more awards to its teams and players each season, there is one prize where Bournemouth appear to be cornering the market.

    Since 2021-22, the Premier League has handed out the 'Most Improbable Comeback' award for when the number-crunchers have calculated a team has come back to win from the most statistically unlikely circumstances.

    The Cherries picked up the prize in 2022-23, after recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Nottingham Forest, and in 2023-24 for their stunning second-half comeback from 3-0 down to beat Luton 4-3.

    But, with the new Premier League season only three games old, Andoni Iraola's side have already laid down a substantial marker to take the 2024-25 award.

    Trailing 2-0 at Everton as late as the 87th minute on Saturday, the Cherries somehow rallied to come away from Goodison Park with all three points.

    After that Luton game in March, I was asked to shortlist half-a-dozen of the best comebacks in Bournemouth's history – and there is now undoubtedly another contender for that title because no Premier League side has ever trailed by two goals that late on and won.

    Should the Cherries win the 'Most Improbable Comeback' honour for a third successive season, would they be allowed to keep it in perpetuity, like Brazil with the original Jules Rimet World Cup trophy?

    Or should it just be renamed the 'Bournemouth award'?

    All joking aside, Iraola's use of substitutions again bore fruit at Goodison.

    Eyebrows may have been raised as record signing Evanilson – the only out-and-out striker in the starting XI and on the bench – was the first player withdrawn as Bournemouth chased the game, but his replacement Luis Sinisterra came up trumps with an assist and the winning goal.

    While Evanilson adjusts from Portuguese to English football, Iraola has no shortage of options for the three attacking midfield roles behind the Brazilian.

    He will hope to find the right blend to provide the attacking impetus his side showed in their grandstand finish at Everton – and in future, he will hope to find it before the 87th minute.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  18. How do you feel and what do you predict?published at 13:00 4 September 2024

    Andoni Iraola Bournemouth graphic

    The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

    So we want you to predict where Bournemouth will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

    Submit your prediction here

    And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about Bournemouth so far in the campaign?

    Let us know your thoughts here, external

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  19. 'There is often every reason to stay until that full-time whistle blows'published at 12:38 3 September 2024

    Tom Jordan
    Fan writer

    Bournemouth fan's voice banner

    Saturday saw another weekend of "pure Barclays" and AFC Bournemouth were at the heart of the drama on Merseyside after Everton became the first side in Premier League history to lose a game whilst being 2-0 up after 87 minutes.

    In all honesty, it's no surprise that the Cherries delivered the fatal blow on the Toffees. Even at this early stage of the campaign, it looks as if Bournemouth will claim the season's "most improbable comeback" award - a title they have been awarded two years on the spin.

    So why do Iraola’s Bournemouth provide such late drama? Well, in the opening four games (3 league, 1 cup) there have been goals in the dying embers of each Cherries fixture. That, along with the back to back comeback awards, proves it's no accident when Andoni’s Cherries are in action.

    The high energy and open approach that Bournemouth now deploy is the main factor to why there is often every reason to stay seated right until that full time whistle blows in our games. The tactical setup and approach centres around an aggressive press, often meaning a number of our subs are introduced relatively early, to continue this energetic style. This, in turn, allows for an open and end to end spectacle, which becomes even more evident when both sides’ legs are wavering come those final moments of games. It is as equally nerve-racking as it is incredibly exciting to watch.

    Does this style always benefit the Cherries? No. Will Andoni continue to set them up in this particular way? Yes. Does it entertain and get the Bournemouth fans purring? Absolutely!

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

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  20. Bournemouth 'ruthlessly grabbed their chance'published at 14:57 2 September 2024

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

    Tom asked: Bournemouth have almost been forgotten in the Everton narrative this weekend but they're still unbeaten in the league so far. How do you rate their chances this season? And how do they keep hold of Andoni Iraola when the 'big' clubs inevitably start sniffing around? Elite manager!

    Phil answered: It was a remarkable turnaround given they had been dominated for 87 minutes but they deserve huge credit for the way they ruthlessly grabbed their chance and sensed the panic in Everton's ranks.

    No guarantees they will keep Andoni Iraola, who is a fine manager, but he seems very happy at Bournemouth and has the support of a club that kept faith with him after a very rocky start when he first arrived.

    I tipped Bournemouth to finish 14th and certainly do not see them being in trouble.

    Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here