- Fulham twice went in front through goals from Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson
- Bournemouth hit back as Evanilson and Dango Ouattara earned them a point
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
This was always going to be a feast for the footballing senses with two sides flying high and two impressive managers committed to always trying to win.
In the end, nothing could separate Fulham and Bournemouth after four goals, a contentious disallowed goal and Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie fortunate to stay on the pitch after a shocking first-half challenge on Antonee Robinson that left Marco Silva disgusted.
The draw meant that both sides are now unbeaten in their last seven – a form record only matched by Liverpool and Arsenal.
Coming into this game, all four of Harry Wilson’s goals had come as a substitute. Rewarded with a start by Silva after scoring at Chelsea, Wilson thought he had the winner for Fulham here, only for a Bournemouth substitute to get a last gasp equaliser.
Dango Ouattara held his nerve wonderfully and chipped Bernd Leno to get a deserved point for Andoni Iraola’s side after Evanilson had cancelled out Raul Jimenez’s opener.
‘I’m very proud of the team. It was a hell of an effort. We definitely didn’t deserve to lose,’ said Iraola.
Bournemouth snatched a late equaliser at Fulham through a cheeky Dango Ouattara chip
Raul Jimenez had given Fulham the lead with a header from an outswinging corner
‘It’s a tough one to take really,’ said Silva, whose side are eighth but have dropped more points (19) from winning positions than anyone else in the top-flight.
As Silva and his players walked out, they were greeted to chants of ‘There’s only one team in Fulham’ following their victory at Stamford Bridge but they started poorly.
Bournemouth’s James Hill thought he had his first Premier League goal but his header from a corner was disallowed for a foul by Antoine Semenyo on Joachim Andersen.
On reflection, it was poor of referee Robert Jones to blow the whistle so early and Fulham got away with one.
‘The whistle was so early so VAR didn’t get a chance. We cannot do anything now,’ Iraola bemoaned after.
Against the run of play, Fulham took the lead. From their first corner, Andreas Pereira found the unmarked Jimenez, who headed in with aplomb.
On the brink of half-time, Christie caught Robinson with his studs with the Fulham players furious and Silva was baffled as to how he remained on the pitch, despite a VAR check.
‘I don’t have any doubts about it. It should have been a red card,’ the Fulham boss said. ‘When I saw Robinson’s leg at half-time, I can’t explain why it wasn’t a red card’
Iraola disagreed, insisting it was only worth a booking and six minutes after the break, his side had a deserved equaliser, with Hill finding Evanilson, who finished superbly.
Evanilson brought Bournemouth level the first time after holding off Joachim Andersen
Harry Wilson made Bournemouth pay for their missed chances as he put Fulham back in front before the Cherries netted a late equaliser
Marco Silva will be disappointed that his side failed to hold on for all three points
Andoni Iraola was thrilled as his team fought back to earn a point on the road
Both sides chased a winner and in the 72nd minute, Robinson’s right-footed cross found Wilson, whose header was too good for Kepa but Fulham failed to hold on.
Issa Diop carelessly lost the ball and Semenyo passed to Ouattara, who showed great composure. ‘It was the perfect decision and a great finish,’ said Iraola.
Ultimately, a point was no less than his side deserved as they stayed in sixth and reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a club record 30 points.
This was a Championship clash in 2022 but both Fulham and Bournemouth will enter 2025 with genuine ambitions of qualifying for European football.
