AFC Bournemouth relegated to the Championship despite Everton win

AFC Bournemouth have been relegated to the Championship, despite beating Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.

Goals from Josh King, Dominic Solanke and Junior Stanislas were not enough to keep the Cherries up, as Aston Villa drew 1-1 as West Ham meaning Eddie Howe’s men only moved up to 18th.

Bournemouth made a really positive start to the match, with Callum Wilson having the game’s first big chance. An exquisite through ball from Josh King in the centre of the pitch found the rushing forward, who was left one on one with Jordan Pickford. The England keeper however got a brilliant right hand to the ball and deny the effort.

But just two minutes later Everton’s Richarlison used his arm to control the ball inside the Bournemouth penalty area and referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot. Josh King stepped up and struck the penalty into the bottom right of the net, beating Pickford despite him guessing the right way.

Aaron Ramsdale made a brilliant start in goal for Bournemouth, when he was called upon to deny Theo Walcott a one on one chance just minutes after the Cherries went ahead.

After the first half drinks break the hosts started looking a lot more attacking, with the Cherries having to take a step back. And five minutes before half time the Toffees were level when they found a way through a sluggish Bournemouth defence and Theo Walcott fired the ball across goal to find an unmarked Moise Kean at the far post for an easy tap in.

Eddie Howe’s men were back ahead quickly though, when just before the break they received a free kick close to the left-hand touchline. Diego Rico sent in a perfect cross which found the head of Dominic Solanke who scored his third goal for the Cherries as he headed it into the top right corner of Pickford’s goal to keep survival hopes well and truly alive.

Despite Everton having an unbeaten record at Goodison Park since manager Carlo Ancelotti took over in December, they trailed 2-1 at the break. With Watford being 3-1 down at Arsenal, and West Ham vs Aston Villa being goalless, at half time Bournemouth just needed the Hammers to score against Villa to be out of the relegation zone.

Both teams had early efforts in the second half, as Richarlison saw an effort deflected away from goal, and Callum Wilson was again denied by a diving Jordan Pickford to keep his team alive in the tie.

Everton controlled most of the second period, but failed to severely threaten Ramsdale’s goal. Efforts from Kean did not have enough venom on them to beat the English keeper.

With ten minutes to go Bournemouth took a 3-1 lead, as substitute Junior Stanislas darted into the area from the left hand side and unleashed a left footed effort.  The shot should have been a comfortable take for Pickford, but the man who had been quality all game this time let the ball slip under his hands and give the Cherries a two goal advantage.

After the third Bournemouth goal, all eyes turned to the London Stadium where West Ham needed to beat Aston Villa for the Cherries to survive. But a Jack Grealish goal on 84 minutes saw the Hammers go 1-0 down.

The Cherries were given some hope after West Ham instantly equalised through Yarmelenko, but 1-1 was how the game would finish, thus sending Bournemouth back into the Championship after five seasons in the Premier League.

In their own match, the Cherries comfortable saw out the 3-1 victory, and could have scored a fourth when substitute Harry Wilson had a good long range chance. His shot was send over the crossbar however.

Eddie’s Howe and his players can at least be proud of their final performance, which was arguably one of their best performances of the season. They did what they needed to do today, however it was too little too late to save them.

Match lineups and details below:

 

FT score: Everton 1-3 AFC Bournemouth

Everton starting XI: Pickford, Coleman (Sidibe 58′), Keane, Branthwaite, Digne (Baines 71), Andre Gomes, Davies (Bernard 70′), Walcott (Gordon 58′), Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Kean (Calvert-Lewin 71′).

Subs: Stekelenburg, Joao Virginia, Baines, Calvert-Lewin, Sidibe, Bernard, Baningime, Gordon and Simms.

Goalscorers: Kean 41′

Yellow cards: Keane 79′

Red cards:

Bournemouth starting XI: Ramsdale, Smith, S Cook, Kelly, Rico, Brooks (Stanislas 64′), Gosling, Lerma, King (H Wilson 80′), Solanke (Billing 64′) and C Wilson

Subs: Boruc, Stacey, Ake, L Cook, Billing, Danjuma, H Wilson, Stanislas and Surridge

Goalscorers: King 13′ (penalty), Solanke 45+1′, Stanislas 80′

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Referee: Chris Kavanagh