In-form Dominic Solanke scored once more as Bournemouth prolonged their unbeaten run within the Premier League to seven matches with a snug 3-0 win over Fulham on Boxing Day.
Solanke’s 62nd-minute penalty – his eighth aim in his final seven league video games and twelfth total this season – doubled Bournemouth’s lead after Justin Kluivert had opened the scoring simply earlier than half-time due to a driving run from the spectacular Alex Scott (44).
Bournemouth got here into the festive fixture having not misplaced since November 4 and a run of twenty-two factors from the earlier 27 obtainable has seen Andoni Iraola’s facet rise from nineteenth to tenth within the desk in simply eight weeks.
Fulham, who headed to the south coast on the again of two straight defeats, by no means regarded like upsetting the hosts and their afternoon obtained even worse when substitute Luis Sinisterra’s beautiful strike from the sting of the world deep into stoppage time made it 3-0.
If that was not sufficient punishment for the guests, goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the day’s pantomime villain after gently pushing a Bournemouth ball boy for taking too lengthy to return the ball for a goal-kick late within the second half.
Leno rapidly apologised to the teen on the subsequent break in play however was booed by the house followers for the remainder of the match. The loss retains Fulham thirteenth, six factors above the relegation zone.
How Bournemouth cruised to a different win
The Boxing Day fixture was Bournemouth’s first dwelling contest since Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch on December 16, and a pre-match on-screen tribute honoured those that had come to the Wales worldwide’s aide, together with Cherries midfielder Philip Billing who was extensively praised for his alert response.
The Denmark worldwide started his afternoon on the bench in favour of Kluivert, with Scott slotting in for the injured Lewis Prepare dinner.
Solanke noticed an effort blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo throughout a back-and-forth starting to the sport and it was the hosts, with head coach Iraola watching from the stands as he served a one-game touchline ban, who maintained their slight edge within the opening exchanges.
A neat transfer from Semenyo to feed Kluivert practically arrange an opener however they had been thwarted by a wonderful intervention from Tosin, who was additionally in the best place to disclaim a second respectable alternative for Bournemouth after Leno spilled a cross.
Tosin’s headed clearance prevented any embarrassment, however the Cherries had been forward on the stroke of half-time due to an excellent run into the 18-yard field from 20-year-old Scott from close to the centre circle and move to Kluivert, whose strike by some means squirmed beneath Leno.
Fulham, who had loved a near-equal quantity of possession within the first half, returned with extra objective to start out the second as Antonee Robinson rapidly referred to as Neto into motion from a decent angle.
It was simply previous the hour mark when Joao Palhinha despatched Semenyo tumbling inside the world and the response from referee Tim Robinson was speedy, Solanke sending Leno the mistaken technique to double his facet’s benefit.
Rodrigo Muniz had an opportunity to claw one again with a close-range volley, whereas Leno discovered himself in late bother and was handled to a refrain of jeers when he appeared to push a ball boy.
Sinisterra’s cross was inches away from the outstretched foot of David Brooks because the Cherries sought a 3rd. Brooks had two extra possibilities of his personal, but it surely was Sinisterra who curled previous Leno to seal a convincing dwelling triumph.
Silva: Leno did not push ball boy
Fulham boss Marco Silva insisted his goalkeeper Bernd Leno “touched” however “didn’t push” a ball boy throughout defeat at Bournemouth.
The second-half incident occurred when Leno went to gather the ball from the teen’s outstretched hand earlier than utilizing his personal hand to make deliberate contact with the shoulder of the ball boy, who appeared to take a step again for steadiness.
Silva mentioned: “Have you seen him pushing? I didn’t see this. Yes, he apologised. I spoke with Bernd about it.
“It is clear he went to talk with the boy after that second as the highest skilled that he’s, the actually skilled participant that he’s as nicely.
“He wanted to play quick. The ball boys, I don’t know who gave them instructions to hold always the ball to delay the beginning of the game again. OK, we are losing, he ran to the ball. I didn’t see him pushing.”
He added: “I was really so upset with our performance that I didn’t even have the energy to start to complain.”
Bournemouth supervisor Andoni Iraola, who watched on from the stands as he served a touchline ban, mentioned he had not seen a replay of the incident however, when requested if the ball boys had been instructed to decelerate, replied: “No, no, for sure there is no instruction, for sure. This I can guarantee.
“I do not know what occurred precisely, however I feel everybody for positive must be cautious as a result of they’re boys which can be making an attempt to assist everybody, not solely Bournemouth.”
On another positive performance, he added: “We wish to maintain it going. We’re not as unhealthy as we regarded originally of the season, we’re not so good as we glance now in all probability at the moment. We’re someplace within the center.”
How the match performed out…
Fantasy Premier League stats
Opta stats: Bournemouth finish Boxing Day hoodoo
- Bournemouth have gained on Boxing Day for the primary time since 2014, which was at dwelling to Fulham within the Championship.
- After incomes three factors from their first 9 video games within the Premier League this season (W0 D3 L6), Bournemouth have picked up 22 factors from their subsequent 9 video games (W7 D1 L1).
- Fulham have misplaced 4 consecutive away league matches whereas conceding 3+ targets in every sport for the primary time since March 1969.
- Dominic Solanke has scored in every of his final 5 league appearances in opposition to Fulham, solely scoring extra complete league targets in opposition to Huddersfield City (6).
What’s subsequent?
Bournemouth’s subsequent Premier League sport is at Tottenham on New 12 months’s Eve; kick-off 2pm. Andoni Iraola’s staff then journey to QPR within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday, January 6; kick-off 3pm.
Fulham are subsequent in Premier League motion on Sunday after they host Arsenal, reside on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 2pm. Marco Silva’s facet then host Rotherham within the FA Cup third spherical on Friday, January 5; kick-off 7.30pm.