Both Burnley and Bournemouth looked to get back to winning ways on Sunday, having not yet won a Premier League game in 2024. The two teams would have likely seen this as an opportunity to get a result, and pick up vital points on the board ahead of the closing stages of the season.
BUR: Trafford; Vitinho, O’Shea, Esteve, Taylor; Assignon, Berge, Cullen, Odobert; Fofana, Larsen
BOU: Neto; Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Smith; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Solanke
It was a positive start for the home side, with the first chance falling to Odobert. A clever move by the 19-year-old meant that Assignon was able to find him inside the area, but Neto was able to comfortably collect the low, powerful strike.
Just minutes later the Cherries applied the pressure, as Taylor made a vital block on the line to deny Tavernier’s dangerous cross to Semenyo, who was close by. With the danger not out of the way yet, Esteve had to clear the ball whilst under pressure from Kluivert.
Despite the promising start for Burnley, it was the visitors who took the lead after 13 minutes. A move that started from Neto was well contested at the halfway line, ultimately falling nicely for Bournemouth. Cook sent the ball over, and Kluivert carried it forward before cutting inside the Burnley defender and powerfully striking to put the Cherries ahead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Clarets continued to apply pressure, registering 80% of the possession after half an hour, and Odobert and Vitinho both came close. It was in the 40th minute when Neto was called into action, after Odobert’s expert pass meant that Fofana was through on goal – and his shot was saved by the Bournemouth goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Larsen, but Smith defended well to clear the pressure.
On the brink of the interval, Neto pulled off a fantastic save to deny the home side the equaliser, as Larsen dangerously whipped in his free-kick. Whilst there were moments of promise from the Clarets, Kompany’s side were unable to convert their chances – meaning that they were behind at the break.
The second half begun as the first had ended, with Burnley dominating possession – however Bournemouth came to life on the counterattack just ten minutes into the half as Kluivert passed the ball across goal to Solanke, who shot from a tight angle and was denied by Trafford.
Moments later, the Cherries had another chance to double their lead, as Kluivert switched play over to Semenyo, who immediately layed the ball off to Tavernier. Under pressure from the Burnley defence, he shot into the side of the goal.
On the hour mark, Odobert had the ball just inside the box, but his effort was blocked after he hesitated in shooting first time. Moments later Neto collected the ball, relieving some of the pressure by the home side, following Cullen’s shot from 25-yards out.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the 66th minute, Cullen thought he had scored the equaliser for the Clarets after slotting the ball into the back of the net from close range, but it was ruled out after the referee awarded a free-kick to the Cherries.
With 15 minutes left to play, Bournemouth very nearly extended their lead on the counter attack, as Semenyo’s strike went wide of goal.
The second half produced a similar story to the first for Burnley, as they registered 17 shots towards goal, but were unable to convert their chances.
Two minutes before the end of normal time, Bournemouth doubled their lead through Semenyo. Midfielder Lewis Cook, who had been instrumental in creating chances for the Cherries, passed the ball to Semenyo, who carried the ball down the right hand side before cutting inside and firing his shot past the Burnley defence.
A defeat will undoubtedly be a difficult result to take for the home side, as it could prove to be crucial in their relegation battle this season. The visitors will be hoping that they can build upon this result, and continue to add to their points tally for the season.
