Afobe is through on goal with only Pickford to beat but the striker waited much too long to take his shot and Pickford blocks the ball out for a corner which the referee signals that Bournemouth will have no time to take.
90' +4
STAT: Everton have only won away from home once all season – with this fixture against Bournemouth being their 11th attempt.
90' +2
The Everton attack breaks down has Martina is flagged for a foul on Francis who had jumped up to meet the aerial ball. A bit weak but Bournemouth will take whatever they can get to hold the lead.
90'
The referee has indicated five added minutes at the end of the match.
88'
R. Fraser has scored a goal for AFC Bournemouth! Assist by A. Smith.
IT’S A LATE DEFLECTED GOAL FOR RYAN FRASER! His second of the day just may be the match-winner for the home side! Fraser occupies the space that Kenny had vacated before cutting inside with the ball and trying a shot which took a deflection off of Jagielka’s outstretched leg. The deviation was just enough to send the ball over Pickford and into the Everton net. 2-1 Bournemouth!
Adam Smith was the provider for the goal which has given Bournemouth the late lead.
87'
Smith sends a cross from the left to Steve Cook who made his way from his own penalty area but the centre-back snatches at the chance and sends the ball wide of Pickford’s right-hand post.
85'
L. Mousset enters the game and replaces C. Wilson.
Eddie Howe’s final substitution is an attacking one, as 21-year old Lys Mousset will enter the fray in place of Callum Wilson.
83'
Ibe is looking to once again try a curling effort but the ball runs too far from him and Schneiderlin is able to spark an Everton counter where Niasse lays the ball off to Sigurdsson but the Icelandic forward’s shot is closed down immediately by Ake.
81'
Jordon Ibe is allowed to run unimpeded at goal and takes a venomous strike which is palmed away from danger by Pickford. Bournemouth retain possession and play once again funnels to Ibe who turns and curls a shot which connects with the corner of the crossbar before springing behind for a goal kick.
78'
H. Arter enters the game and replaces L. Cook.
Lewis Cook is being removed in favour of Harry Arter who has missed the last few games due to injury.
Minute
Description
76'
STAT: Everton score almost 30% of their goals in the last fifteen minutes of play.
73'
Fraser takes the free-kick looking for the far corner but the strike is wayward and completely misses his target. That was an unimpressive effort from the player that originally gave the Cherries the lead.
71'
Y. Bolasie enters the game and replaces I. Gueye.
Rooney is deemed to have won the ball from Afobe illegally due to a shoulder barge and the referee gives Bournemouth a free-kick within striking range of the Everton goal.
Sam Allardyce’s third substitution sees the entrance of newly fit winger Yannick Bolasie who takes the place of goal scorer Idrissa Gueye.
68'
Fraser sends a low cross into the area looking for Afobe after a period of prolonged pressure but Keane gets a toe to it to send it behind for a corner. The corner is dealt with by Keane as well; whose powerful header starts an Everton counter.
65'
STAT: Bournemouth have only beaten Everton once in nine meetings, losing seven. Their sole victory came the last time Everton visited the Vitality.
62'
Its end to end stuff at the Vitality Stadium as Francis plays a cutback pass into Wilson on the penalty spot. The striker does well to direct his effort on goal despite having Keane in his face but Pickford gets down extremely quickly to deny the English striker his fifth goal of the season.
60'
Everton have looked much better since the introductions of Rooney and Niasse, both of whom have gotten into great attacking positions despite the pair being on together for less than 15 minutes. Bournemouth will have to adapt to the positive Everton substitutions or risk conceding again.
57'
I. Gueye has scored a goal for Everton! Assist by O. Niasse.
Oumar Niasse, who just entered the match minutes before the goal is credited with the assist after his outside of the foot pass set Gueye's strike up.
OUMAR NIASSE MAKES HIS PRESENCE FELT IMMEDIATELY BUT ITS GUEYE WHO GETS THE GOAL! Sigurdsson plays the ball into Niasse in the box and the striker has the presence of mind to link the play with the outside of his foot to the onrushing Idrissa Gueye who is left completely unmarked and the midfielder strikes a bullet past Begovic. 1-1!
56'
The referee awards Bournemouth a free-kick after Jagielka misses the ball in a slide tackle on Callum Wilson. Ibe curls the ball in but the away side deal with the danger well and Pickford collects the loose ball.
54'
O. Niasse enters the game and replaces D. Calvert-Lewin.
Sam Allardyce is opting to make his second substitution, again involving the entrance of a striker. Oumar Niasse will take the place of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has not been very involved today.
52'
Ibe drags the centre-halves out of position before teeing up Francis whose shot was blocked well just after it had entered the penalty area. Play is brought to a halt as Adam Smith is down writhing in pain after being involved in a crunching Jonjoe Kenny tackle.
49'
Francis’ pullback ball finds Callum Wilson at the edge of the area but the striker’s first-time strike is weak and off-target.
48'
Sigurdsson rolls the ball into Rooney who was waiting in the penalty area but the striker strays just offside before the pass is released and the referee immediately blows the play dead.
46'
W. Rooney enters the game and replaces J. McCarthy.
Sam Allardyce has made a half-time adjustment in order to get back into the match. Midfielder James McCarthy will make way for Wayne Rooney.
Everton get the second half started trailing by 1-0.
45' +2
Play once again stops, this time for treatment to former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling. The player looks to be okay but he is carrying a slight limp. Hopefully for Howe the knock won’t result in another forced change.
45'
Gueye sends a cross in but Steve Cook gets a leg in to block the cross and Begovic grasps the loose ball in his hands. It has been that kind of opening period for Everton who have not been able to get anything going against this resolute Bournemouth defensive unit.
The referee has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
42'
Sigurdsson plays a ball through to Calvert-Lewin from the left flank but it runs too far and Begovic comes out of his goal to collect. That was poor again from Everton who have not played at their best in this first half and are deservingly a goal behind.
39'
B. Afobe enters the game and replaces J. King.
Confirmation that the injury to King will force him from the match. Eddie Howe chooses to replace him with forward Benik Afobe.
38'
Play has stopped momentarily as Joshua King is down receiving treatment for what looks to be an injury on his leg.
36'
The positioning of the centre-backs must be questioned on Bournemouth’s goal. Sam Allardyce has done brilliantly to coach the defensive side of the game but Fraser was left completely unmarked in the penalty area. I’m sure the manager will make his frustrations heard at half time as the Toffees must once again come from behind to secure three points.
33'
R. Fraser has scored a goal for AFC Bournemouth! Assist by J. King.
Joshua King put in the cross which led to the goal, and will, therefore, be credited with the assist.
RYAN FRASER GETS HIS GOAL! He has been terrific so far in the first half and he is more than deserving of his goal. Callum Wilson lays the ball off to King on the right who chips the ball into the box where an unmarked Fraser is able to volley his effort past Pickford. 1-0 Cherries!
29'
Jordon Ibe receives the ball with his back to goal and spins before firing a strike on goal which Pickford gets down well to save. The ensuing corner is put on the penalty spot but Francis’ contact is poor and allows Everton to clear their lines.
26'
Everton are cycling the ball in midfield well but the long cross-field pass from Schneiderlin to Kenny ends with a Bournemouth throw as the young right back was unable to control the ball. That is disappointing from an otherwise extremely promising player.
23'
STAT: The home side have played 10 matches at home not including today’s game. They have failed to score in half of them.
20'
Everton have been very poor going forward in the first 20 minutes of this match, and have not registered a shot on Begovic’s goal. They have been organised defensively but if they are to take maximum points from the Vitality Stadium, they must get Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin more involved.
18'
Lennon gets around Smith in the Bournemouth penalty area but his centring ball is poor and defence turns into attack for Bournemouth who now have a throw inside the opposition half.
15'
A lovely bit of Bournemouth play outside the Everton area ends with a wayward Francis cross which gives the away side a throw. The Cherries were allowed to build after Schneiderlin failed to track the run in the channel while Kenny was marking the flank. Poor communication almost led to Everton falling behind within the first 15 minutes and Allardyce does not look pleased on the touchline.
12'
Ryan Fraser barrels down on goal but his through-ball for Callum Wilson goes too far ahead of the striker and Pickford is able to deal with the danger. Fraser has been very involved in this match – the Everton midfield will certainly have their hands full.
10'
Sigurdsson is being forced to drop deep into midfield to receive the ball as Bournemouth have started the game harrying and pressing every man in possession. The home side look full of confidence despite coming into the match in a poor run of form.
8'
Fraser receives the ball after a short corner and promptly crosses it in but there are no red and black shirts at the back post to meet the ball. Once again a Bournemouth set-piece goes begging.
6'
Keane sprays an intelligent ball to Gueye in space but the midfielder’s options are quickly shut down and the ball is turned over despite a promising start to the move.
4'
The free-kick is curled well to the back post and Cook is there to meet it with his head but the connection is not directed well and it goes behind for a goal kick.
2'
Bournemouth have started the match well and earn themselves a free-kick just outside the Everton penalty area after Schneiderlin holds Fraser’s jersey impeding his movement.
1'
Bournemouth get the match underway attacking from right to left!
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of the Premier League fixture between Bournemouth and Everton from the Vitality Stadium!
The hosts arrested a four game losing streak last time out after a controversial and late Callum Wilson equalizer saw the Cherries earn a point against West Ham. Currently 18th, Bournemouth have not won a league fixture since a 4-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town in mid-November.
Goal scoring has not come easy for Eddie Howe’s side in their third year in the top flight. Of the teams not in the relegation zone, only Brighton & Hove have scored less than Bournemouth’s tally of 18. Their last five matches have been exceptionally difficult, with the South Coast side facing – and losing to - Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in successive order. In that run, Bournemouth were outscored 11-1 and without Jermaine Defoe today due to an ankle injury, Eddie Howe is short of consistent, proven Premier League strikers. Callum Wilson, who has four goals in 10 matches this season will have to take his opportunities when they come in order to secure anything against this resurgent Everton side.
The revolution continues for a Toffees side that still have not lost since the appointment of Sam Allardyce – a run of eight games in a month and a half. The manager has done exactly what was expected of him and completely reinvigorated the defence. Of those eight matches, Everton have only conceded twice, once in the Merseyside Derby draw and once in their 3-1 victory over Swansea earlier this month. The former England and Sunderland boss’ undefeated streak has taken Everton up the league into ninth place, despite being in the relegation zone upon his arrival.
The success of the defensive unit is made all the more impressive when considering that mainstays Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori have all been injured for a considerable amount of time. This has forced the manager to employ academy graduate Jonjoe Kenny at right-back and free transfer Cuco Martina at left-back, despite the Dutchman being a traditional right-sided player; a tactical move that has worked with notable success.
With kick-off in fifteen minutes, the team news has been confirmed! Let’s start with the home side.
Bournemouth Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Asmir Begovic; Adam Smith, Nathan Ake, Steve Cook, Simon Francis; Ryan Fraser, Dan Gosling, Lewis Cook, Jordon Ibe; Joshua King; Callum Wilson.
Bournemouth substitutes: Artur Boruc, Marc Pugh, Harry Arter, Benik Afobe, Charlie Daniels, Lys Mousset, Jack Simpson.
Everton Starting XI (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford, Cuco Martina, Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane, Jonjoe Kenny; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin, James McCarthy; Gylfi Sigurdsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Aaron Lennon.
Everton substitutes: Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie, Wayne Rooney, Oumar Niasse, Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Joel Robles.
Manager Eddie Howe elects to use the same formation and starting eleven as the last time Bournemouth took to the pitch – a 3-3 draw with West Ham. Asmir Begovic starts in goal over veteran Artur Boruc and will be defended by a back four of Adam Smith, Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Simon Francis. In the centre of midfield, Dan Gosling gets the start against his former club and will pair Lewis Cook, with Ryan Fraser and former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe on either flank. With an injury to Jermaine Defoe, Howe has opted for Joshua King in support of main striker Callum Wilson.
Sam Allardyce reverts to a more typical 4-3-3 formation instead of the 3-1-4-2 that earned Everton a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday. Jordan Pickford retains his place in goal while Mason Holgate loses his place in defence to Phil Jagielka, who will play alongside Michael Keane with Jonjoe Kenny at right back and Cuco Martina on the left. Morgan Schneiderlin keeps his role as holding midfielder, and partners Idrissa Gueye who replaces Tom Davies, and James McCarthy who only has one EFL Cup appearance to his name this year due to a host of severe injuries. In attack, there is no room for the newly fit Yannick Bolasie as Sam Allardyce prefers to partner Gylfi Sigurdsson with Aaron Lennon – both of whom will play in support of England under-21 striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The teams have made their way onto the pitch and kick-off should follow shortly!
HALF-TIME: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Everton.
Eddie Howe should be very pleased with the way his Bournemouth side have played in the first half. His midfielders have pressed relentlessly and forced Everton into a number of ill-advised turnovers and long balls which have presented no danger to the organized defence. Ryan Fraser was dangerous all half and his goal was the least he deserved, as his set-pieces and play in the middle of the park caused the away side considerable headaches. An early enforced substitution will give the manager some trouble as Bournemouth already have a host of players out with injuries, but if the Cherries continue playing the way they did in the first period, they will be value for the three points.
With an in-form Wayne Rooney and Oumar Niasse available from the bench, Sam Allardyce will need to make some positive changes in order to get themselves back into the match and provide some attacking reinforcements as Lennon has not been effective and Sigurdsson is being forced to drop too far into midfield to pose any danger going forward. The second half is perfectly poised, with either side still able to collect all three points.
Everton have been very poor offensively in the first half. It is apparent why they have been held goalless in their last two matches and why Allardyce is so keen on purchasing a striker in the January window. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in his defence, has been feeding off scraps all game as the midfield has been thoroughly unable to provide the striker with any service whatsoever. Defensively, the Toffees have not been terrible, but giveaways in the midfield and the threat of constant danger proved too much for Jagielka and Keane to handle.
FULL-TIME: Bournemouth 2 – 1 Everton.
It was a rough second half for Bournemouth after Everton’s two attacking substitutions seemed to turn the tides in favour of the away side, but a late Fraser effort sealed a first victory in 11. Eddie Howe’s side were on the back-foot for much of the final half of play as Oumar Niasse and Wayne Rooney provided more attacking outlets for the Everton midfield, but the Cherries dealt well with the pressure and after a couple influential blocks – most notably from Ake on an open Gylfi Sigurdsson – the three points were sealed on the South Coast. This result will certainly buoy the confidence of Howe’s side who end the calendar year with a victory – with Brighton & Hove Albion waiting to host Bournemouth on New Years’ Day.
That is the conclusion of our live text commentary of the match between Bournemouth and Everton. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we look forward to seeing you next time!
It is a first defeat in charge for Sam Allardyce who, aside from the late goal, should be pleased with the way his team responded to his tactical substitutions. Niasse and Rooney both brought confidence and attacking play to the pitch, allowing Lennon and Sigurdsson more forward options when in possession. Niasse looked especially dangerous and his pass to Gueye for Everton’s sole goal of the contest was the product of superb awareness and intelligence. Jonjoe Kenny was exposed in the final phase of play and ultimately, it will be a harsh pill to swallow for the Toffees, but fair on the balance of play. Everton will look to bounce back on New Years’ Day at home against second place Manchester United.
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