Bournemouth boss Howe salutes improved performance in Everton defeat

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe praised his side’s showing yesterday despite another punishing Premier League defeat at Everton.

The Cherries delivered a stronger performance at Goodison Park but were undone by goals from Kurt Zouma and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – condemning the club to an 11th defeat in 14 games.

Zouma’s header capitalised on poor finishing from the visitors, who had earlier struck the woodwork through David Brooks, before Calvert-Lewin rifled a strike inside the near post to secure victory for the Merseysiders.

But Howe focused on the positives from Bournemouth’s battling performance in his post-match interview, before ruing more ‘injustices’ for his side:

“I thought we did well today. We started the game very strongly, put them under pressure, and dominated the ball. Our press was good. A lot of facets of our game were very strong, but we didn’t score when we had our chances.

“But we defended well, and content at half time believing we could go on and win the game. But the first goal was very important in this match and didn’t go to us and we’re disappointed with that. The second one, again when we’re chasing the game and putting them under pressure, they break and score.

“If we’d played that game again, I think the result would have been different. That’s how it’s going for us at the minute, and I think the recent run we’ve been on we’re being tested. There have been some injustices, but we’ll come through that.”

A controversial decision from referee Anthony Taylor saw appeals from the visitors dismissed in the first half, after Brooks was felled inside the penalty area.

“I thought potentially it could have been a penalty, but it was a tough call for the referee,” Howe admitted in the wake of defeat. “I’ve heard there’s a more blatant one in the second half which I haven’t seen. But that’s how it’s going for us at the moment, we’re not getting the breaks when we need them. But as I said, it will change.”

Howe also gave an injury update ahead of a key clash with West Ham next weekend:

“I think we’ve got a couple of knocks in there, but hopefully nothing too serious. We’ll need to speak to the physios, but certainly we’re welcoming players back from injury and that’s going to be really important for us as we go into another key stage of the season.”