It falls to the squeezed middle to breathe life into the 2024-25 Premier League season. The battle for European places is some way off being decided. Thanks to an early goal and a dogged defensive display that went against type, Bournemouth have relaunched their candidacy.
After ransacking champions-elect Liverpool, inconsistencies have stopped Marco Silva’s Fulham being a true contender for the top five. Victory in Dorset could have placed them in the Justin Rose, striking-distance position. Instead, Bournemouth leapfrogged the Londoners into eighth.
Following a first league win in seven, Andoni Iraola’s team have six games remaining to rescue previously fading dreams of continental football for the first time in club history. “I think we needed this performance, defending our own box well, the clearances, the blocks, the basics, the set plays,” said Iraola. “This win comes in the perfect moment for us.”
During recent disappointments, Bournemouth fans have had to cope with talk of their heroes being sold on elsewhere. Those getting their kicks from transfer tattle will know Dean Huijsen is linked to just about everyone, Real Madrid included. On his 20th birthday, the lofty, assured central defender and keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga led a rearguard effort that followed Antoine Semenyo’s eventually decisive, opening-seconds goal.
If excitable Liverpool fans have already pencilled Milos Kerkez into Andy Robertson’s left-back position they will be enthused by the Hungarian’s solidity in defence and frequent launching of attacks. Another mooted contender for the Liverpool No 3 shirt in Fulham’s Antonee Robinson meanwhile blotted his scouting file with the mistake that set up Alex Scott’s run and Semenyo’s finish after 52 seconds.
Such incision reminded what made Iraola’s team such appointment viewing during their winter purple patch, and also why the football economy can be so cruel in so quickly separating talented teammates. “We had to defend as a unit and stick together,” said Semenyo.
“We made it difficult for ourselves at the start of the game,” said a grumpy Silva. “We started really badly, we have to take the responsibility for that as we need to start the game with the right intensity, quality and decision-making necessary at this level.”
Bournemouth might have been three clear by half-time, Evanilson missing two good chances, including cracking the crossbar. Chance creation is rarely problematic for Bournemouth, execution has been a serious issue during a winless run stretching back to 15 February. Another early second-half chance flew by when Tyler Adams poked a shot that Bernd Leno saved instinctively with his trailing leg.
Silva had seen enough, making three quick changes, sending on Tom Cairney, Raúl Jiménez and Adama Traoré. Here, confusion reigned. Ryan Sessegnon left the field, only to be ordered by Silva to return. Instead, the fourth official, Tim Robinson, ruled that with number called and Sessegnon having stepped off, he could not return. Sasa Lukic had been the intended departure, it became clear afterwards. The source of farce, it was also revealed, had been communication breakdowns between manager and assistants.
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“This can happen sometimes, it shouldn’t, but it can happen,” said Silva, far more annoyed Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi had not been given a red card for a first-half foul on Joachim Andersen before he was opportunistically subbed off at the break. “For me it’s a clear red card, VAR should have called the referee to review that moment. The fourth official was confused throughout the game, in all circumstances.”
Alex Iwobi, match-winner against Liverpool but quiet here, belatedly arrived in the contest when testing Arrizabalaga from 25 yards. The Chelsea loanee was proving equal to the challenge. On came Emile Smith Rowe, a discarded jewel Silva is yet to polish, to play off Jiménez but Huijsen used all his height and guile to marshal the resistance.
“I believe in my abilities and try my best for the team,” said the birthday boy. “We play high-press football, we are fearless in that sense, I am so happy we could win.”
During brief Bournemouth respite, Evanilson claimed a penalty but Leno had won the ball before contact was made. Soon enough, Shaun Cooper, Iraola’s set-piece specialist, was heard calling plays when Fulham won a series of late corners. Time added on was lengthy after that substitution confusion but, with Arrizabalaga and Huijsen climbing highest and bravest, a successful rearguard effort confirmed that Bournemouth can do things the hard way.
Source: theguardian.com
