Bournemouth

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

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Lee: A dogged performance from us against an Everton team that never really looked like they wanted to win the game. Milos Kerkez was fantastic again and a sublime finish from David Brooks got us the three points, but we were by far the better team and fully deserved them. Onwards and upwards for the Cherries!

Gary: It was hard to break down a one-dimensional Everton side but when the goal came, it was a thing of beauty. Well worth the three points alone. Everyone played their part but I felt Philip Billing was off the pace when he came on.

Tom: Thank you Cherries! A good and hard fought match. The substitute did it! Magic!

Chris: We are living the dream after years of wallowing and trips to Port Vale and Grimsby. Now we are firmly in the top tier. It warms the cockles.

Everton fans

John: As a lifelong Everton fan, I have never seen a more poorly coached team. Zero shots on goal is pathetic and shows a complete lack of team organisation. If we go a goal down, it is game over. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has lost all his confidence and the rest of the squad do not seem far behind him.

Dave: The Blues look completely inept and I have no idea where or how they are going to score a goal. Maybe it's a confidence thing but several of the shots were terrible and even the basics were wrong. They must, must try harder.

Tim: I'll keep it short and not so sweet. How has Dyche kept his job so far with such an abysmal offensive record? No shots on target, no goals, no positive attacking, no hope of avoiding relegation under him because of such a poor squad he has built and under-coached.

Robert: I'm questioning how we are doing so badly, bearing in mind the amount of money that has been spent over these recent years, along with having our own homegrown players to select from? It's now worth asking why we are building a new stadium, when we are either drawing or losing, which is upsetting all the supporters who pay so much money to back the club.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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 1-1 Chelsea

• Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Match Of The Day following the win: "We had to be patient, even if we had been in control of the game and pushing them a lot. We had chances, but they have very good centre-backs and goalkeeper, and we couldn't make the difference until close to the end.

"Probably we should have scored earlier but, fortunately, this time it hasn't cost us points.

"We wanted to open the game as much as possible but this is tough against Everton. Once they started running out of legs, they can evenly attack you so we can exploit more spaces.

"That didn't happen until the end and we needed a very good finish with a lovely goal from David Brooks. He has top quality, with the striking and composure, so I am happy for him.

"We are happy with the run of games, the results and the performances. I think we now play four of the next five against top five teams, who are ahead of us, so I hope we can continue with this level of performance.

"I don't know if it is enough to beat these teams, but we will try to be competitive with the teams at the top."

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

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Bournemouth have sailed through this season, but are now in unchartered territory.

The Cherries have never had more than the 33 points they have accumulated from 20 Premier League games this season.

It's left the club's supporters dreaming of European football and, whisper it quietly, even the prospect of qualifying for the Champions League.

A stern examination of those credentials will come over the course of the next month or so.

Chelsea, Newcastle, Forest and Liverpool are next up in the Premier League for the Andoni Iraola's side - four games against four teams currently occupying positions in the top five.

Iraola's players were relaxed against Everton as they patiently waited for a winner.

But the stakes will be higher against jostling to finish in the top four which could present Iraola with a dilemma on how to approach the matches.

Pragmatically keep themselves in the hunt, or seize the moment to achieve something truly special.

It should prove to be an intriguing few weeks.

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Bournemouth are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games (W5 D3), their longest ever run without defeat in the top-flight.

The Cherries have scored more goals through substitutes than any other side in the Premier League this season, with their 10 goals from the bench also their most in a single top-flight campaign.

Only three sides - Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City - have had more shots on target in the Premier League than Bournemouth this season (114). The Cherries' average of 5.7 shots on target per game is their highest in a single campaign in the competition.

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Bournemouth match-winner David Brooks has been speaking to Premier League Productions: "It was nice to see it fly in. Six or seven times you see them spoon over the bar.

"When you play Everton, especially over the past few years, you know it's going to be a physical and tough game. You need a bit of quality to finish it off.

"It's not a game with a lot of clear-cut chances, but we took one and got the three points.

"Nobody really likes coming to play us here and, every home game, we go into it thinking we can win. We have to just keep our feet on the ground and keep plugging away game-by-game."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Bournemouth fans - let us know your thoughts

Everton fans - what did you make of the game?

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

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Newcastle (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Leicester

• Bournemouth v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v West Ham

• Southampton v Brentford

• Brighton v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

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

For week 20, he takes on The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe, who supports Liverpool.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Everton have only managed 15 Premier League goals this season. Southampton are the only team to have scored fewer, and finding the net is clearly an issue for Sean Dyche's side.

Everton capitulated against Bournemouth at Goodison Park in August, losing 3-2 after leading 2-0 with three minutes to go, but it is hard to make a case for them this time because of their lack of firepower.

Bournemouth denied me some prediction points with their late equaliser against Fulham on Sunday and there is a reason they are in seventh place - they create a lot of chances, and I am expecting them to edge this.

McCabe's prediction: 3-1

Bournemouth will win this comfortably.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the season, the Opta Supercomputer has been busy making its predictions.

But who has the best chance of securing Champions League football next season?

With England given a 97.8% chance of finishing in the top two of Uefa's coefficients rankings and receiving a bonus place in next season's competition, it is highly likely to be a race to finish in the top five of the Premier League this campaign.

One team essentially guaranteed a Champions League spot season, according to the Supercomputer's simulations, is high-flying league leaders Liverpool (100%).

Following closely on their heels are Arsenal and Chelsea, who occupy second and fourthgoing into this weekend's fixtures, with a 99.8% and 91.7% chance of finishing in the top five respectively.

Despite their unprecedented drop-off in form over the past two months, Manchester City fans will be pleased to hear Opta still gives them a 89.1% chance of clinching the potential final Champions League spot next season.

It then becomes a hotly fought battle between two of the most in-form teams in the league right now.

Despite third-placed Nottingham Forest's incredible campaign so far, Nuno Espirito Santo's side still fall below Newcastle United in the predictions for fifth place - with a 33.6% chance compared to the Magpies' 44.6%.

Four teams still have an outside chance of getting that coveted spot, with Aston Villa (13.8%), Bournemouth (9.8%), Fulham (6.2%) and Tottenham (5.4%) in the race.

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New signing Matai Akinmboni says he is excited to join Bournemouth and that playing in the Premier League is something he has always dreamed of.

The centre-back, 18, told club media, external in his first interview after a move from DC United was confirmed on Friday: "It's a great step in my career.

"It's something I've been dreaming of since I was a little kid, always playing in Europe, especially the Premier League - the best league in the world - so I'm excited.

"I met a couple of them [new team-mates] yesterday. I've been watching the games this season and they're doing fantastic.

"Hopefully I can come in, make an impact and help the team."

Asked to describe himself as a player, Akinmboni said: "A ball-playing defender who likes to go into tackles, who's aggressive and likes to lead the team from the back. Just an aggressive defender."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola spoke to BBC Radio Solent before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his interview:

• Iraola confirmed midfielder Tyler Adams is likely to return, adding: "He had a small thing, but he has been training with us this week."

• On Saturday's opponents: "They are playing much better lately. I expect it will be difficult. We have to be ready for their set-pieces - they have powerful aerial threat."

• He spoke highly of youngster James Hill: "[His throw-ins] are a great addition. It's a very difficult thing to defend. It's almost like a corner kick."

• When asked what Hill's best position is: "He is a centre-back, but in training we have used him a lot as a number six. He has been very good in the minutes he has played there. It's good for him to have options."

• On the Cherries' latest signing Matai Akinmboni: "He is a very young left centre-back who is a very good prospect. We have signed him on a long contract thinking that he can develop with us and fulfil the qualities that he has. He comes from a situation where he has had two months of holiday. He will start training with the development squad and will integrate after with us."

• He didn't give much away about other plans for this month's transfer window: "You always need things but the key, for me, is adding players who have value. You have to be smart. We will see what happens."

• On the potential departures of Max Aarons and Philip Billing, who have struggled for game time: "If you ask them, they will probably say it depends on the options they have. I'm happy because I feel like they are contributing and being super professional."

Listen to more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

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

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Bournemouth have signed centre-back Matai Akinmboni from DC United.

Sources with an understanding of the deal have told the BBC the fee is 1m euros (£810,000), with additional payments should certain clauses be met.

Akinmboni, 18, became one of the youngest debutants in Major League Soccer history for DC United in September 2022 at 15 years and 328 days and went on to make 17 appearances.

He has also represented the United States at youth level.

Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis said: "He is an exciting young player we have been monitoring for an extended period and have been impressed by his progress.

"Matai is a player we believe has a very bright future and we are looking forward to seeing him develop with us."

It is the Cherries' first signing of the January transfer window.

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Everton have never won a Premier League away match against Bournemouth (D2 L5), with their seven visits the most they've faced a side on the road without ever winning in the competition.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their past seven Premier League games (W4 D3) – they've never had a longer run without defeat in the top flight.

Real Madrid are watching Bournemouth's Dutch centre-back Dean Huijsen, 19, as they ponder a January move. (Sun), external

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

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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A new year has begun – and with it, the 'silly season' aka the January transfer window where fans, websites and keyboard warriors all claiming to be 'in the know' will take delight in reporting and re-reporting each other's rumours, half-truths and outright fiction.

Taking a step back from all that, this should not be a hugely busy window for Bournemouth, who begin the year in a league position most fans would not have dreamed of occupying. Clearly, not too much is going wrong on the pitch, so this is a squad which does not require major surgery.

Indeed, boss Andoni Iraola and his staff will be more concerned about getting some of the players they already have, out of the treatment room and back out on the pitch.

Seven first-teamers missed the exciting 2-2 draw at Fulham with injury, plus Justin Kluivert through suspension, leaving the Cherries with arguably the weakest bench they have ever named for a Premier League game.

That roster of substitutes comprised two goalkeepers, four untried development squad players without a senior appearance between them, and only three outfield players with experience. Despite this, and to his credit, Iraola has not sought to blame the injury list for the occasional dropped point during the current seven-game unbeaten run.

After the £65m summer sale of Dominic Solanke, there is no financial pressure to move players on or disrupt a winning team, so any moves into the market may be to plug the odd gap left by injuries.

Alternatively, the Cherries' recruitment team have shown willingness at this time of year to invest in players seen as "one for the future", to allow them to ease gradually into the squad before a full pre-season in the summer.

We asked you to tell us what Bournemouth's New Year's resolution should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Clive: In the New Year, I would like to see a new extended contract for Andoni Iraola. That is all I want!

James: In 2025, I would like to see us converting more of the chances we are making. If we can do that we have a real chance of European football for the first time ever!

Ollie: We just need to get the ball in the onion bag! We are doing so well but, based on the chances we create, we could be doing even better. We could have easily won the Crystal Palace and Fulham games if we were more clinical. Our New Year's resolution should be to focus on finishing in training and/or get reinforcements in January who have proven composure in front of goal.

Mark: To learn how to break down a low block. We have struggled playing against it and thrive when teams come out to play against us. If we can do this, we will win games that we have been drawing.

Tony: To get everyone back to fitness as soon as possible and avoid further injury. If being picky, sharpen up the final finishing in the box. Otherwise, more of the same!

Andrew: A shot of caffeine for Philip Billing. I like him as a player, but he needs to up his intensity and be more like his colleagues. At Fulham, when he was unlucky not to beat the goalkeeper, he lay on his back for a full 20 seconds. This while Fulham were countering and all the rest of our team were tracking back to defend. Phil needs to step up in 2025 to be the player he can be, and we all want him to be.

Andy: A positive move towards a new stadium that enables twice as many local supporters to enjoy the Cherries' current success.

Real Madrid are interested in Bournemouth's Spain Under-21 defender Dean Huijsen. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, Liverpool could rival Manchester United for the signing of left-back Milos Kerkez. (Caught Offside), external

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