The Bournemouth Identity

Bournemouth displayed their typical fighting spirit & passing game on the final day of the season at Goodison Park; producing a 3-1 upset over struggling Everton. Unfortunately; such displays were few and far between this season; meaning despite this heroic effort; the Cherries were still relegated thanks to Aston Villa's 1-1 draw at West Ham; on a dramatic final day of the season.

We could see in this match that Bournemouth wanted it more than Everton; typified by their opening surges down the left and putting in repeated crosses; notably from the outstanding Joshua King and forward Callum Wilson. It was Wilson who drew first blood after sprinting clear on goal; only to be denied by a superlative save from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Everton conceded the first gal after a rather befuddling handball from Richarlison; who seemed to lose concentration from a high bouncing ball whilst defending in the box. You could say it was what Bournemouth overall deserved; as King strode up confidently to score the penalty past Pickford.

To Everton's credit; they did get back on level terms after some strong play down the right; with captain Seamus Coleman and Theo Walcott combining well for the latter to cross to an unmarked Moise Kean for the leveler. However; their good work was again undone before the break when ex-Liverpool man Dominic Solanke pounced to head home a nice free-kick delivery from Diego Rico.

Everton stepped up again in the second half to look for the second equaliser; but try as they might; their passing was too indecisive and movement too slow to really penetrate the Bournemouth defence. And to cap it off; it was substitute Junior Stanislas who managed to penetrate some slack Everton defending in the box to score past a fumbling Pickford; who inexplicably let the tame shot squirm through his hands. It was indeed a sorry end to a sorrowfully inconsistent season from Everton.