14 April 2025
Bournemouth 1 Fulham 0
The Cherries seem to have hit a slump at the worst time possible in their campaign. They have gone from talk of Champions League football to mid-table mediocrity. Bournemouth welcomed Fulham to the Vitality Stadium, knowing they had to get back to winning ways. Marco Silva’s side also had some outside hopes of European qualification.
Andon Iraola’s side made the perfect start when Semenyo robbed Robinson of the ball out wide. He cut inside onto his left foot and passed it into the far corner. Leno could not get anywhere near it as the Vitality Stadium erupted. The hosts had struggled to turn possession into goals of late but seemed to have found their clinical edge in front of goal in this game in the first minute.
The defending from Fulham was woeful, first losing the ball deep in the hosts’ half. Bournemouth were able to walk through their midfield before spreading it out towards Semenyo. Robinson is being linked to some big moves but based on this performance Marco Silva’s may not have to worry about offers coming in for the attacking full-back.
Kerkez was getting forward down the left and causing problems for the visitors. He swung in a teasing cross towards the back post which was headed down by Scott. Evanilson struck a first-time shot only to see his effort come thundering back off the underside of the crossbar. The Brazilian really should have scored from such close range.
As The Cherries failed to clear a long ball forward, Muniz was able to break away from the pair. As he strode into the box, he looked to drill a shot into the far corner but dragged it well wide of the goal. It was this kind of poor finishing that has led to such an inconsistent season for The Cottagers. This is something the manager may need to address in the summer.
Iwobi was starting to see more of the ball out wide, creating some space to get a good delivery into the penalty area. His inch-perfect pass found Sessegnon unmarked in the middle. He snatched at the opportunity as he headed straight into the grateful arms of Kepa. It was a dreadful effort when the full-back had the whole goal at his mercy.
Scott picked the ball up out wide and cut inside, looking to run at the Fulham defence. Somehow, he managed to bundle his way through as the goal opened up for him. He looked to beat the keeper at his near post but Leno made a smart save to turn it behind for a corner. The Cherries were finding it all too easy to carve Marco Silva’s side open.
After the interval, nothing seemed to change for the visitors. They continued to look scrappy and constantly gave the ball away. Bournemouth worked it out wide to Ouattara who picked out Semenyo in the middle. His shot was heading into the bottom corner of the goal but Leno reacted well to save with his legs.
Iwobi was looking the only threat for Fulham. He muscled the ball off a Cherries’ defender before making some space to pick his spot. The winger looked to bend one into the far corner but Kepa made an acrobatic save to claw it away from goal. Despite their dominance, with such a slender lead, Bournemouth knew that this game was far from over.
Aside from the former Arsenal winger, Fulham were offering nothing in terms of attacking threat. Kepa had made a couple of saves but all from long distance. The Cherries seemed to find it all too easy to negate the visitors. Iraola’s side still needed to put this game to bed if they were to have any hope of playing European football next season.
Evanilson picked the ball up wide in the box and looked to take it around the advancing Leno. He got an all important touch to the ball as the Brazilian went to ground. The referee was not interested in his penalty appeals and play continued. The Cottagers managed to clear their lines but Bournemouth were looking the more likely side to score.
The hosts held on for all three points to close the gap on the sides above him. The performance from Fulham epitomised why they looked destined for a mid-table finish this season. This was even more disappointing on the back of beating league leaders Liverpool in their previous match. This must be what infuriates Marco Silva most weeks.
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