Bournemouth v Everton: Sutton's predictionspublished at 10:47 30 March 2024
10:47 30 March 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.
For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
I keep thinking Everton will turn a corner and get the win they have been waiting so long for, but it has not happened yet.
They were a bit unlucky to lose to Manchester United in their last game, on 9 March, but things are not going to change until they start taking the chances they are creating.
Bournemouth's comeback against Luton essentially means they are safe with 10 games to go, which is a position Everton would love to be in.
Sean Dyche's side beat the Cherries at Goodison Park in October but I just don't see them winning this one, even though they are desperate for the points.
Bionic's prediction: 3-2
Everton badly need a win but I look at what Dominic Solanke is doing this season and I am going to go with Bournemouth.
Solanke 'so close' to England call-uppublished at 12:06 29 March 2024
12:06 29 March 2024
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Luca asked: What is your opinion on Dominic Solanke missing out on the England squad?
Michael replied: It is an interesting one because he has done everything he possibly can. When you watch his journey, he has found his rhythm and is scoring different types of goals from all areas of the pitch. So it is a bit of a surprise [he has not been given a chance].
Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have come in to that position but I think he is so close.
There are top clubs who would like to take him on. If you look at all the other clubs who the England players are from, then they are usually from high-achieving clubs.
You are going to need Bournemouth to be absolutely flying in the league and scoring for fun for him to break into the England squad.
But there is still time for him.
Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
Iraola on 'new signing' Adams, Kelly return and Everton's points dilemmapublished at 14:39 28 March 2024
14:39 28 March 2024
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Bournemouth host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
On player availability, he said: "I think we'll continue with Marcos Senesi out. We also have the injury of Luis Sinisterra from the national team. They are the two definitely out."
On Lloyd Kelly, he added: "It's going to be difficult for Lloyd. It's true he has been training this week, but it's probably early. We'll see."
On Tyler Adams' recovery, Iraola said: "I think he's improving a lot. He's in the process of adding minutes. He played 45 minutes in two different games [during the international break] and he finished with good feelings. I think he's available to play the same amount or even more minutes."
The Spanish manager on the impact the midfielder could have: "I think he fits our style of play very well. He's very aggressive without the ball and good at reading second balls. He's very smart and he's very calm on the ball. He's like a new signing for the last 10 games of the season."
On other recovering players: "Max Aarons and James Hill have used these two weeks to recover completely. [Dominic] Solanke has used some days off to improve his knee. They are all ready to perform at the weekend."
On his opponents, he said: "I think there will be very physical duels. Their midfield will be key because they play with a lot of physicality and quality on the ball. We have to at least match their level because if they start winning every second ball and imposing themselves in the middle, it's going to be difficult."
On Everton's ongoing situation over a possible further points deduction: "I'm sure it's difficult for them. They don't know what's going to happen until the end of the season. They can't do anything to change it on the football side, they have to go and be as good as they can be and win as many points as they can."
'Mixed fortunes' for Cherries players on international dutypublished at 17:05 27 March 2024
17:05 27 March 2024
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport journalist
As with all Premier League bosses, Andoni Iraola will be taking a deep breath that his players return unscathed, after some mixed fortunes on international duty.
Already 'missing in action' is winger Luis Sinisterra, who injured a hamstring while with Colombia and is facing a month on the sidelines.
Having played in Hungary’s first friendly against Turkey, defender Milos Kerkez was not risked in their second game against Kosovo because of a calf problem - but coach Marco Rossi said Kerkez would have played if it had been a competitive match.
Winger Dango Ouattara - preferred to Kerkez at left-back for the Cherries’ most recent game against Luton Town - featured for Burkina Faso against Niger on Tuesday, while forward Antoine Semenyo had a busy time, playing every minute of Ghana’s friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda and the Black Stars losing three players to red cards across the two matches.
Speaking of red cards, Chris Mepham’s sending-off in the dying minutes of extra time for Wales against Poland thankfully does not trigger a domestic suspension, given Bournemouth’s relatively meagre defensive selection options of late.
However, there will be no European Championship for Mepham, or Kieffer Moore (on loan at Ipswich Town) and David Brooks (on loan at Southampton) after the Welsh lost their play-off final on penalties.
There was better news for defender Illia Zabarnyi, who helped Ukraine win their play-off, and he will join Scotland’s Ryan Christie as a guaranteed Cherries representative at the Euros.
However, perhaps the two biggest success stories of the international break were two of last summer’s big signings - as Alex Scott made his England Under-21 debut against Azerbaijan, and provided an assist on his first start against Luxembourg.
Meanwhile, Tyler Adams returned to the USA side in style, capping a man-of-the-match display against Mexico with a terrific goal from long range.
Finally, back at Bournemouth, this week’s release of the annual accounts shows - if it were needed at all - the stark difference in income between the Premier League and the Championship.
Those holding the purse strings will be more than relieved that Iraola’s side have all but assured their place in next season’s top flight much earlier than usual.
Bournemouth v Everton: Pick of the statspublished at 16:08 27 March 2024
16:08 27 March 2024
Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's Premier League fixture between Bournemouth and Everton.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their six Premier League home games against Everton, winning the past two while scoring three goals both times.
However, the Blues have won their past two Premier League games against the Cherries, though both were at Goodison Park.
Everton are on the longest winless run in the Premier League and failure to win at Bournemouth would mean equalling their record such run of 12 games from August to October 1994.
The Toffees have scored just one goal in their past five league away games, despite having 65 shots, seven big chances and an xG of 4.8. In their most recent away fixture, they had 23 shots against Manchester United - their most without a goal in an away league match since August 2010 at Aston Villa.
Antoine Semenyo has scored four goals in his past five league appearances, as many as his first 30.
Dominic Solanke has scored 15 Premier League goals this season, with only Josh King (16 in 2016-17) ever netting more for Bournemouth in a campaign. Nine of those goals have given the Cherries the lead – the most of a player for any side in the competition in 2023-24, and an all-time Bournemouth record in a season in the division.
'Next target should be highest Premier League points tally'published at 13:01 26 March 2024
13:01 26 March 2024
Tom Jordan Fan writer
The final 10 games of the league campaign are upon us and it is fair to say it is looking like ending up as a pretty successful season.
We have already managed to score more goals than last season, with plenty of matches to go for us to enhance that number.
We are also only four points off 2022-23's points total, so a higher points tally and league position is a very realistic aim. Being sat in 13th position, a higher finish in the standings is now definitely plausible following last year's 15th place.
We went into this campaign with a new head coach, with a completely different tactical approach and style, so it meant this season was always going to be about a gradual transition and progression on the pitch.
Survival was always going to remain as the minimum expectation. That's all but mathematically achieved now.
So, over the final 10 fixtures, it is about continuing our obvious progression. We’ve scored more goals, so to grab a higher league position and points total would be the Cherry on top.
In the Premier League, our highest tally is 46 points, so 12 are needed from the last 10 games to better that - and this should be the next target for us.
'Failing to win when we score first' - your biggest gripes of the seasonpublished at 12:57 25 March 2024
12:57 25 March 2024
We asked you what the most irritating thing at your club has been this season, whether it be inconsistency, injuries or a player failing to deliver.
Here are some of your replies:
Josh: I don't like how the influence of fans from outside the club, who have spent all season comparing Andoni Iraola to Gary O'Neil, has managed to work itself into the fanbase. Our fans complained about O'Neil's style all last season and have now, at times, started getting fickle with Iraola's because we're taking more attacking risks (which we wanted!). Baffling.
Ralph: The most frustrating thing about this season for AFCB in my opinion is buying Tyler Adams for £25m and him being injured for basically all of this season.
Brandon: We should have kept Kiefer Moore instead of loaning him out and given him more game time. He always gave 100% and scored goals compared with his minutes and he is on fire in the Championship just now.
Felix: Failing to win matches when we scored first.
Pip: The inability of our midfield to get a shot on target and score.
Sinisterra out for five weekspublished at 18:01 22 March 2024
18:01 22 March 2024
Image source, Reuters
Luis Sinisterra will be out for about five weeks after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty, says boss Andoni Iraola.
The Colombia forward dropped out of the squad earlier this week prior to their friendly against Spain on Friday. He will likely miss much of the rest of the season.
"It is never a good moment to have this kind of injury," Iraola told BBC Radio Solent. "He has been very healthy all season so this is unlucky.
"It is probably down to workload. The demands of the competitions are really high. We are playing more minutes and the ball is in play more. They want to do everything faster because it is good for supporters but the players do not have rest.
"It is difficult for them and it is something we are seeing across all clubs."
While Sinisterra is set for a spell out, Iraola had a positive update on Dominic Solanke who has struggled with a knee problem this month.
"We have given him rest and then next week he will train normally," said Iraola. "We hope he will be able to forget about this issue and play freely until the end of the season."
The 26-year-old did not make Gareth Southgate's England squad despite scoring 15 Premier League goals so far this season.
"I am sure he is disappointed but he will not give up," added Iraola. "He will try to finish strong, to score more goals and to try to be part of the England squad for the Euros.
"I am sure he will fight for it because he has done since the beginning."
'A good opportunity for Hughes' - Iraolapublished at 18:01 22 March 2024
18:01 22 March 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Andoni Iraola has wished technical director Richard Hughes well after he was appointed sporting director for Liverpool from the end of the season.
However, the Bournemouth boss is confident the succession planning at Vitality Stadium means he will not be missed.
"We knew some weeks ago he was leaving," Iraola told BBC Radio Solent. "He has been very important in establishing me here and I wish him all the best.
"It is a good opportunity for him and I hope he does well.
"But the club will continue working in the same way. Simon [Francis] was working with him last year and knows exactly what this club means."
Iraola would not be drawn on whether Hughes may return to the Cherries to poach any of their talent for Liverpool, laughing and adding: "We have not talked about any players specifically but you never know!
"We don't know what is going to happen when the market opens in the summer."
Bournemouth will be 'monitoring Adams' workload closely'published at 10:40 21 March 2024
10:40 21 March 2024
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport journalist
A quirk of the fixtures, caused by Wolves' participation in the FA Cup quarter-finals, has left Bournemouth with a full 17 days between Premier League games.
Having said that, if ever there was a game which needed extra recovery time, it was the Cherries' breathtaking comeback from 3-0 down at half-time to beat Luton 4-3.
As a host of players depart for international duty, Dominic Solanke must wonder what more he has to do to catch England's eye. However, the extended break should allow some much-needed rest and treatment for the knee problem the striker has been managing since New Year's Eve.
One player who is joining his national team is midfielder Tyler Adams, whose Bournemouth career has been dogged by injuries since his move from Leeds last summer, but who finally made his Premier League bow for the Cherries as a 71st-minute substitute against Luton.
Captain of the USA team at the last World Cup, Adams rejoins his international side for Thursday's Concacaf Nations League game against Jamaica in Arlington, Texas.
He has told US media that he "can contribute 45 to 60 minutes" in that game, and Bournemouth will be monitoring his workload closely as they approach the final 11 games of the season.
Adams was signed to fill the defensive midfield void left by Jefferson Lerma's move to Crystal Palace, and while his absence has led to the impressive midfield partnership formed by Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie, it will be interesting to see if and when boss Andoni Iraola is able to work the three of them into the same XI.
What's your biggest gripe this season?published at 13:00 20 March 2024
13:00 20 March 2024
As we approach the business end, we want to know the most irritating thing at your club this season.
Has it been a player failing to deliver, injury woes, inconsistent form... or something else?
Liverpool appoint new sporting directorpublished at 12:21 20 March 2024
12:21 20 March 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool's newly appointed sporting director Richard Hughes says it is the "present and future which really excites" him about the club.
Hughes will officially take up the role when he leaves his post as Bournemouth’s first-team technical director at the end of the season.
Hughes has been headhunted by former Reds sporting director Michael Edwards, who was recently appointed as chief executive of football at FSG, who own Liverpool.
Speaking to the club website, he said: "People rightly talk about the rich history this organisation can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me. Jurgen Klopp is leading an outstanding team and squad and alongside that the commitment to young players and their pathway to the first team is also outstanding.
"I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking this position. It will be my job, working with Michael [Edwards] and leading the football operations team already in place, plus the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.
"That's really what the job entails: you have to make the kind of good decisions which enhance the prospects of having a team that wins and excites the supporters. It is what Liverpool have done well for a very long time and the benefits are there for everyone to see."
Edwards added: "Both Richard and I are aware of the weight of responsibility that comes with working in this capacity for a club such as this. The fact he is excited and energised by the challenge ahead is important.
"It is clear to everyone that Jurgen will leave a legacy to build upon and in Richard we have the right person to make the key decisions and offer the leadership to take us forward into a bright future."
'Rock and roll football - they weren't kidding!'published at 13:02 19 March 2024
13:02 19 March 2024
Sam Davis Fan writer
This week, Cherries fans saw the best and worst of AFC Bournemouth in the space of 90 minutes. The 3-0 deficit at half-time against Luton saw some fans leave the stadium at the break, after an abject showing where the home side looked toothless and out-thought.
Some supporters were using social media to question Andoni Iraola after such a poor first 45 minutes, wistfully suggesting that Gary O’Neil wouldn’t have put us in such an irretrievable position.
They might be right - we wouldn't have been trailing by such a dramatic scoreline. However, in the same breath, neither would Gary have rescued the match like Andoni did.
Bournemouth are currently joint-seventh in the Premier League for gaining points from losing positions, and the second 45 minutes at the Vitality underlined just why you should never leave a game prematurely under his tenure.
The clichés were in abundance at full-time – "night and day" and "a game two halves" etc - but, on the whole, the Bournemouth fanbase were ecstatic with what they had witnessed.
We were told that we would see "rock and roll" football and "organised chaos" when the new boss joined the ranks at Vitality Stadium - they weren't kidding!
Questions will be asked about how we got ourselves into such a pickle but, thankfully, Iraola had the answers. So, while the season may look like it's petering out into mid-table obscurity, as long as Bournemouth fans are entertained like that – they will be more than happy.
'Solanke should've been in that England squad'published at 07:25 18 March 2024
07:25 18 March 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison has been discussing the potential reasons behind Dominic Solanke's omission from the England squad for the upcoming international friendlies.
"Gareth [Southgate] has always liked Ivan Toney. I think they are two different players," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "Gareth must think that Solanke plays a bit like Ollie Watkins, and Ivan Toney can drop in and play a bit like Harry Kane.
"Toney can lead the line by himself, even though Solanke is doing that at the moment. I think Solanke should've been in that squad.
"Remember, he is playing for Bournemouth. You don't create a lot of chances playing for Bournemouth, but I think his numbers have been fantastic.
"I know he [Gareth Southgate] can't put all of them in, but I was surprised about Solanke. I can understand why he's put Toney in, I definitely see that, because Gareth's mentioned Ivan Toney loads of times."
Former Women's Super League midfielder Fara Williams added: "It's about opinions for all of these players. I think Solanke gives you that little bit more. In international football, you need to know what to do in possession and out of possession.
"This season, Solanke has demonstrated the intelligence of somebody who knows what to do when his team has the ball and possession, and when his team doesn't, and the versatility that he brings with that.
"Ivan Toney in the Brentford team - yes, he brings them goals and he brings a lot to the team in possession but, certainly out of possession, I don't think he does enough.
"When you're in the quarter-finals or semi-finals of the Euros, you need 11 players plus. You can't be carrying players through the game."
What is Bournemouth's greatest comeback?published at 10:37 14 March 2024
10:37 14 March 2024
Image source, Getty Images
After the astonishing scenes at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening, we are asking – was that Bournemouth's greatest comeback?
Our expert Mark Mitchener has selected six possible contenders from a range of eras (all under different managers) – all of which have featured the Cherries coming from at least two goals down to win, or from three goals down to draw.
His suggestions - and his memories - below:
Manchester City 3-3 Bournemouth (Division Two, 6 May 1989) – In the days when Maine Road was home to inflatable bananas, the Cherries ruined City's promotion party as the hosts surrendered a 3-0 half-time lead. Rookies Peter Shearer and Matty Holmes got Bournemouth back in the game before veteran Luther Blissett equalised from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Peterborough 4-5 Bournemouth (Division Two, 13 January 1996) – A genuine lower-division nine-goal thriller, in which Posh had led 3-1 and 4-3, is settled by two late Steve Jones goals for Mel Machin's Bournemouth – the winner a goal of the season contender, turning and volleying in from out by the touchline.
Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool(Premier League, 4 December 2016) – Eddie Howe's Cherries entertained the Sunday TV audience with their never-say-die spirit, coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to win it in the 93rd minute when Loris Karius spilled Steve Cook's shot and Nathan Ake poked home the rebound from point-blank range for a first league win over Liverpool.
Swansea 3-3 Bournemouth (Championship, 26 April 2022) – Bournemouth's automatic promotion bid was in trouble with Nottingham Forest breathing down their necks but, having been 3-0 down at Swansea with 20 minutes left, substitute Kieffer Moore scored twice to salvage an unlikely draw and keep the Cherries three points ahead of Forest with three games left.
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth (Premier League, 3 September 2022) – Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Philip Billing's long-range howitzer set the tone for a rousing second-half comeback at the City Ground. Dominic Solanke's overhead kick and Jaidon Anthony's cool finish secured all three points and earned caretaker boss Gary O'Neil a first win.
Bournemouth 4-3 Luton (Premier League, 13 March 2024) – Antoine Semenyo's double helped Bournemouth recover from a 3-0 half-time deficit, the Premier League's biggest comeback win for more than 20 years.
Or would you opt for there another game which has not made the shortlist, such as the 3-3 against Everton in 2015?
Or the 2013 game when Millwall led 2-0 inside 10 minutes but were thrashed 5-2?
'Couldn't be prouder' - fans on comeback winpublished at 09:08 14 March 2024
09:08 14 March 2024
We asked for your thoughts on Bournemouth's incredible comeback win agaisnt Luton Town in the Premier League.
Here is a snapshot of your comments:
Tom: At half time, I commented ‘pitiful’. As the second half progressed, it became unreal. A wonderful result. Well done, but please, play like that for the whole match.
KC: This team is unreal!! To be three nil down and come back after half-time like that... wow. Couldn't be prouder.
Terry: At half-time that was the first time I have ever heard the fans boo the team. At the end, they were given a long standing ovation.
Fred: It was a great second-half performance and a good result on paper but our home form has to improve. Three-nil down to Luton at half-time is not good enough. Safe to say we've avoided any possibility of being dragged into the relegation battle but things need to improve for next season.
Rob: Reminiscent of days under Eddie Howe - all you have to do is score more than your opponent!
David: Certainly a game of two halves. In the first half, we were poor and Luton were on fire. The second half was so much more positive. Antoine Semenyo was amazing in the second half. Lewis Cook was immense again and Dominic Solanke issuch a star.
Biggest comeback win for over 20 years was 'unreal'published at 08:58 14 March 2024
08:58 14 March 2024
Emma Smith BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Away from the television cameras, Bournemouth and Luton played out one of the most extraordinary Premier League matches of this or any recent season.
Dominic Solanke's exquisite turn and finish started the comeback from three goals down five minutes after half-time, and after Illia Zabarnyi bundled in a header for 2-3, Antoine Semenyo completed the comeback with a pair of powerful finishes - the second with only six minutes remaining.
"It's unreal. It is an achievement of mine just playing in the Premier League so to get a winning goal for the team, I'm buzzing," Said Semenyo.
It meant Bournemouth became only the fifth team in Premier League history to win a match in which they trailed by three goals, and just the third to do so in a game where they were 3-0 down at half-time.
According to Semenyo, there was no half-time tirade from Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. In fact he seemed to say very little to his team, as the Cherries were out for the second half early - so early in fact that it caught the forward off guard.
"I was on the bike actually when everyone was running out so I had to scurry out quickly. It was because we were ready to go and put a performance on for the fans and for ourselves."
Semenyo said Iraola "is very calm and collected".
"He just came in and said, 'Look we are going to have to go for it, go man for man and show some personality', and we did that," he added.
"It was a great win for us. We finished the game very happy obviously, but there were moments during the game where we were struggling and it was difficult to keep believing. The players did it and we could finish the comeback in the end.
On if he believed a comeback was possible: "It was good for us that we did something similar the other day. Against Sheffield United we scored two late goals and felt we could even win it at the end. We couldn't do it but there was a real feeling that we could do that again.
"Everything went for Luton in the first half - they were really clinical. Every time they arrived [in the box], they scored. We needed something to happen early in the second half and the first goal from Dom [Solanke] was key. Then everyone started believing. We kept putting up the pressure and in the end we came back.
On his half time message: "We wanted to get back playing as soon as possible. We ended the first half feeling very bad as they had just scored a third goal. We changed some things, made adjustments and changed some players. We dealt much better with the long balls. [Carlton] Morris hurt us a lot in the first half and we controlled that in the second.
"From there we attacked much better and then the goals came from that point onwards."
Did you know?
Bournemouth became only the fifth team in Premier League history to win a match in which they trailed by three goals.
In doing so, they also became the third team in Premier League history to win a match where they trailed by three goals at half-time.
Bournemouth have conceded at least 50 goals in all seven of their seasons in the Premier League (52 this season). Only Norwich City (10) and Watford (eight) have played in more different campaigns while shipping 50+ goals each time.