Bournemouth boosted hopes of European football with a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-player Everton, yet James Hill stressed the squad is staying grounded. The defender said the focus remains on short-term targets, even as Andoni Iraola’s team moved up to ninth place and closed to within seven points of fourth in the Premier League table.
The win continued Bournemouth’s strong record when falling behind. They have now collected 14 points from losing positions in this league campaign. Only Aston Villa, with 18, and Sunderland, with 16, have recovered more. Bournemouth also came from behind at half-time to win for the first time since May 2024, when they beat Arsenal 2-1.
Hill underlined that talk of Europe will not distract the squad from immediate
challenges. Speaking to TNT Sports, Hill said: "It's obviously what people are saying but right now we have got to focus on each game, take one step at a time. We look forward to the West Ham game and then hopefully get three points in that. If we keep putting in these good performances, hopefully we will keep climbing the table. "
Hill also highlighted the improvement in Bournemouth’s defensive organisation compared with the start of the season. Hill told TNT Sports: "We're absolutely buzzing with Amine [Adli's] goal. We were struggling to keep clean sheets at the start of the season but we are doing really well now and we are looking like a stronger unit throughout the pitch going forward and defending, putting their bodies on the line. "
The match at a rain-soaked Hill Dickinson Stadium initially swung Everton’s way. Rayan’s mistimed challenge on Jarrad Branthwaite gave Everton a penalty just before half-time. Iliman Ndiaye converted from the spot to put the hosts ahead. Bournemouth needed patience to respond but dominated large spells after the break against opponents who later had Jake O’Brien sent off.
Bournemouth’s turnaround began around the hour mark when Rayan made up for the earlier foul. The teenager rose highest to power in a header and level the score. Later, a Bournemouth set-piece created further trouble for Everton. Amine Adli attacked the delivery and nodded in the winner, while O’Brien’s red card deepened Everton’s collapse during a difficult second period.
Rayan’s contribution extended beyond the equaliser in this contest. The youngster now has two goals and one assist in the Premier League, all within three appearances. That output puts Rayan alongside Robbie Keane and Anthony Martial as only the third teenager in Premier League history to register a goal or assist in each of a first three league games.
Everton’s defeat broke a long-running pattern when leading at the break. They lost a Premier League match after holding a half-time advantage for the first time since September 2024, when Aston Villa beat them 3-2. That earlier sequence had seen Everton avoid defeat in 19 consecutive games when ahead at half-time, with 13 wins and six draws recorded.
Discipline also remained an issue for Everton in this campaign. O’Brien’s dismissal meant only Chelsea, with five, have received more Premier League red cards this season than Everton’s four. Historically, Everton now extend an unwanted statistic, having more dismissals than any other club since the competition began, with 113 red cards in total.
The nature of Bournemouth’s two goals did not match the usual defensive standards associated with Moyes teams. There was also debate over possible offside against Enes Unal in the build-up to Adli’s winner. However, the officials allowed the goal to stand, and Everton were unable to find an equaliser during the closing minutes.
"I'm the wrong person to ask at the moment about refereeing decisions. I'm not ready to assess it, I'll look back in a few days. We could have possibly won but we didn't, we'll have a look back and see what we think They got a couple of balls in the box we didn't deal with, we should have done better on both occasions The players are doing brilliant, an amazing job, no complaints from me, a great job how they're performing, sometimes we don't get it right. "
The match also produced several notable statistical markers for both clubs, reflecting contrasting trends. Bournemouth strengthened their push towards European qualification places, while Everton’s long run of protecting half-time leads ended. The disciplinary numbers and defensive lapses underlined ongoing concerns for Everton, especially when facing sustained pressure from organised attacking teams.
Magic on Merseyside pic.twitter.com/HfhpyE3Q0M AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) February 10, 2026
Bournemouth leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium with momentum, having climbed to ninth and maintained strong form when trailing. Everton leave with another red card and a rare defeat after leading at half-time. The result tightens the contest around the European spots, while also exposing areas both sides will aim to refine in the coming weeks.
