- David Brooks provided the winning goal for Bournemouth against Everton
- Brooks scored just six minutes after being subbed on for Dango Ouattara
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
They may have the smallest stadium in the Premier League, but ever since Andoni Iraola took the reins this Bournemouth team have grown accustomed to dreaming big.
The numbers speak for themselves. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last eight games in the top-flight. This is the first time they have ever achieved this in their club’s history.
Their tally of just 23 goals conceded is their lowest ever at this stage of a Premier League season and they’re seventh in the table. Their fans could hardly be criticised for talk of European football next season.
Bournemouth looked a team brimming with self-confidence and swagger, which is exactly what Iraola has managed to mastermind down here on the south coast and was compounded by David Brooks’ wonderful second-half volley.
Everton meanwhile could not look further away from this. They were lacklustre in attack once again, too-often reliant on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – who had another terrific performance – to get them out of a tight spot.
It was one-way traffic for the majority of the game. Bournemouth should have scored early in the fast half when James Hill’s long-range throw-in was flicked on and landed at Dango Ouattara’s feet. The 22-year-old tried to pass it into the back of the net but Pickford managed to get down quickly and stop the shot from creeping in.
They may have the smallest stadium in the Premier League , but ever since Andoni Iraola took the reins this Bournemouth team have grown accustomed to dreaming big
David Brooks provided the winning goal for Bournemouth just six minutes after coming off the bench as the Cherries beat Everton 1-0 at home on Saturday afternoon
Jordan Pickford made some important saves in the first half to keep Everton in the game
It was an early warning side to the visitors, who had made the long journey down to the biting cold south coast, of what was to come.
Bournemouth, who were welcoming back their top-scorer of the season Justin Kluivert from suspension, looked all the better for having the Dutchman back in the centre of the park.
The 25-year-old was at his very best, pulling the strings and creating spaces behind him for the Cherries rushing wingers to run into.
They had prepared for the Toffees’ stubborn low block, and attempted to stretch the pitch as wide as they could through the overlapping play of their formidable wide partnerships – Milos Kerkez and Ouattara on the left flank and Hill and Semenyo on the right.
Pickford, who is at his best when he is angry, was demanding more from his team-mates
Bournemouth were wasteful on occasion with the likes of Antoine Semenyo (pictured above) and Justin Kluivert missing several chances
Ashley Young looked bright down the right hand side at various points in the game
They finished the first half with six shots on targets to Everton’s nil.
Bournemouth resumed the barrage in the second half but Everton, to their credit, held strong. Pickford was called upon to keep out a Semenyo chance in the beginning of the first half but the England No 1 had no chance of reaching Brooks’ stunning strike shortly after.
Milos Kerkez fizzed the ball across the penalty area and Brooks met it first time with the inside of his boot to volley home.
The 11-000 strong crowd at the Vitality Stadium erupted, more out of relief than anything else. They had had seven shots on target before this one finally rung true.
