AFC Bournemouth traveled to London for the final game of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign to take on Chelsea.
The home side had found some end-of-season form which may well have saved their manager from the sack, but it wasn’t quite enough to secure a top-five finish.
The Cherries had of course secured all of their objectives for the season in style, not only avoiding the drop, which is the main objective for any club outside of the top seven, but had done it playing an attractive brand of football and breaking the club record for points secured in the top flight of English football.
A top-half finish was just one step to far, but always good to leave a challenge on the table for next season…
After the game, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports…
“I finish happy with the performance, maybe not with the result. We cannot ask much more of the players. We finished the game stronger than them, but we miss some clinical [finishing] in the opposition box.
“You have to appreciate [Caicedo’s goal]. It was not easy to score that goal and I have to give credit to Caicedo.”
Man of the match against Chelsea
Senesi
Semenyo
![Semenyo](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/01/Antoine-Semenyo-AFC-Bournemouth-Burnley-150x150.jpg)
Tavernier
![Tavernier](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/01/Marcus-Tavernier-AFC-Bournemouth-150x150.jpg)
O. Dango
![O. Dango](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/01/Dango-Ouattara-AFC-Bournemouth-Arsenal-150x150.jpg)
Cook
![Cook](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2023/10/Lewis-Cook-AFC-Bournemouth-150x150.jpg)
Zabarnyi
![Zabarnyi](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/01/Illia-Zabarnyi-AFC-Bournemouth-Brighton-150x150.jpg)
Unal
![Unal](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/04/Enes-Unal-Bournemouth-Brighton-150x150.jpg)
Christie
![Christie](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2024/01/Ryan-Christie-AFC-Bournemouth-150x150.jpg)
Someone else
![Someone else](https://cdn.vitalfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/2023/09/Neto-Senesi-AFC-Bournemouth-Chelsea-150x150.jpg)
kirsikka
Well, we gave them a game. Should have got a draw. And somehow have ended up finishing the season below Palace and Brighton.
Still, I’m already looking forward to August as this was a fun season.
I guess until then I’ll actually have to talk to my kids. They’re probably going to be more disappointed about that than anyone.
A post-season assessment from the boss after #CHEBOU 👏 pic.twitter.com/2sT6pK17zw
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 19, 2024
thegazzyb
A brilliant effort that was.
Should have been a draw.
Shame that Dom fluffed his lines there. That was the moment we should have got that well-deserved point.
A great end to the season, hearing the Chelsea fans whistling for the final whistle because we had them bricking it !
hba1
Really enjoyed the game and as usual our away support did themselves and the team proud.
The team has really come on a long way this season in all aspects and Chelsea knew they had a game on their hands and we aren’t Southern Softies anymore. Inevitably little Raheem scored his usual goal in at the goalies near post. Just saying.
Random thoughts: MOM split between Cook, Zabaryni and Senesi. My verdict Cook he was everywhere. Others caught the eye from time to time except Dango just what is the point. – To join the conversation, click here.
2023/24 = ✅ pic.twitter.com/saIB7tT4lz
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 19, 2024