AFC Bournemouth hosted Everton in a match that had historically favored the home side. Prior to this meeting, Bournemouth had proven to be a persistent bogey team for the Toffees, having won 9 of their 18 Premier League matchups. Everton had secured just one victory in their previous nine Premier League away games but that lone victory had come last season when the Toffees snuck a 1-0 win in December. Conversely, Bournemouth had enjoyed their own success against Everton later in the season, pulling
off a disappointing 2-1 comeback victory at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in February.
Coming into the match, Marco Rose’s Bournemouth side had suffered a heartbreaking, late 2-1 defeat against Manchester City, where a Marcus Tavernier opener was cancelled out by two goals in the final six minutes. Meanwhile, after a clinical victory over Palace and then crushing Preston North End 4-0 behind a spectacular Thierno Barry hat-trick, Everton travelled to the south coast full of confidence.
Team News
The primary surprises in the lineup centered around Everton’s midfield layout, where Harrison Armstrong unexpectedly started despite widespread reports in the morning suggesting he would miss the match due to advanced transfer talks with Nottingham Forest. Also, midfielder Hayden Hackney was a surprise omission from the opening eleven; having carried a minor injury knock with Moyes opting to protect him by placing him on the substitutes’ bench and giving Garner another start.
Match Report
The match began under cloudy skies with Everton controlling early possession and creating several dangerous opportunities. Everton were in their snazzy white shirts. The Evertonians were singing, “Don’t sell Armstrong” from the kickoff. Their best chances fell to Jarrad Branthwaite, whose glancing header was pawed away, and Thierno Barry, who missed a golden opportunity by firing a close-range rebound directly at Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
As the half progressed, the game grew increasingly chippy and end-to-end, testing both defenses. Jordan Pickford was forced into several sharp saves to deny dangerous breaks from Rayan and Justin Kluivert, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Adam Smith both picked up yellow cards for halting Everton attacks. Everton struggled with turnovers during this frantic period, allowing Bournemouth to grow into the game via sharp counterattacks.
The deadlock was finally broken just before the break when Bournemouth launched a quick counter. Evanilson held up the ball cleanly before feeding Alex Scott, who accurately picked out the far corner past a diving Pickford. As the players headed into the tunnel under a sudden torrential downpour, Everton manager David Moyes was left to ponder his tactical adjustments after a late response from Barry hit the side netting.
The second half commenced with no changes as Bournemouth kicked off, though Everton quickly pushed forward and created early attacking opportunities. Discipline became a factor as multiple players received yellow cards, and Everton had a penalty appeal turned down by VAR.
Both managers utilized their substitutes to alter the momentum of the game during the later stages. Bournemouth applied heavy pressure in the final twenty minutes, but Everton relied on desperate defending from Tarkowski and Mykolenko who made crucial blocks to stay in the match.
Everton pushed for a late breakthrough during the four minutes of added time, capitalizing on a corner kick. James Tarkowski reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and slammed it into the far corner to secure a dramatic equalizer before the final whistle.
Everton’s Man of the Match
James Tarkowski – After struggling to cover Evanilson on the Bournemouth goal, the captain stepped up and did the job defensively to keep the match at one goal. The goal was reminiscent of his Merseyside Derby equalizer at Goodison as he drilled the ball low past Petrovic.
Instant Reaction
After the highs of Palace and Preston, the challenge of an away game against Bournemouth was a daunting one. Everton gave away the ball too frequently and struggled to deal with the Cherries counter attack. After going behind, the Blues continued to create chances and defend resolutely. Petrovic kept Everton at bay with some excellent saves and our defending kept us in the game so that the goal by Tarkowski in extra time was a fair result. The Blues also ended their streak of losing their first away game of the season at four years.
Everton applied 102 high intensity pressures in the final third against Crystal Palace last week, with only Leeds United and Manchester City making more across the first week of Premier League action. Also, no side had more shots (5) following a high turnover in the first week than the Toffees. This high intensity opening to the season was not on show today as Garner and Armstrong struggled in the middle of the park against a well organised Cherries team.
The morning news brought a shock report that claimed that Harrison Armstrong was the object of interest from Nottingham Forest. The Everton online pages were blowing up as everyone waited for the team list to be released. Thankfully, Armstrong started the match and there was a sense of relief. We have had a week of talk surrounding Ndiaye and this new report was more shocking. If TFG are considering this sale, you have to wonder what is going on at the club. Are we building or are we dismantling? The sooner this window closes the better. We have a good core to our team. Let us not throw that away.
Player Ratings
Pickford – An alert save at the near post was impressive. Was hung out to dry on the goal. He commanded his area throughout the match.
Mykolenko – Allowed Scott too much room on the goal. A good block on the Kluivert shot prevented a goal.
Branthwaite – Solid in the middle but could have stepped up on the Scott goal.
Tarkowski – Very slow on Scott’s goal but made a couple of goal saving blocks in the second half. His finish on the tying goal was quality.
Rohl – Some good tracking back to prevent a chance for Truffert. Lost possession a couple of times in dangerous places but showed tenacity to recover.
Armstrong – Struggled to get on the ball. Hopefully, he will be here next week to shine.
Garner – Looked well off the pace in the early going. Didn’t track back well enough on the first Bournemouth goal.
George – His close ball control was off the charts but he faded as the game went on.
Dewsbury-Hall – Did lots of running and was the driving force going forward in the first half but lost the edge in the second half.
Ndiaye – Constantly draws players to him and his control is incredible.
Barry – Very isolated up front and should have done better when George’s shot came back off the keeper.
