Written by Rodmorg
Our first two games of our fourth Premier League season began with two well-deserved wins against Cardiff City and West Ham United. We beat Cardiff 2-0 at home with goals from Fraser and Wilson and deservedly came from behind to win at West Ham’s ground – the London Stadium. A goal from Callum Wilson and six minutes later the winner from Steve Cook turned the game around and we won a very exciting match. It meant that we are now on a 4 game winning streak – the first time this has happened in the PL for us. Another win by coming from behind further established us to be known as ‘The Comeback Kings’.
We now face Everton, who have taken the long trip from Merseyside with their new manager, Marco Silva. Silva is not unknown to Bournemouth, grabbing first wins of his job against us as Hull City manager (in a 3-1 victory) but as well as Watford head coach, where he beat us 0-2 last year. Both games were his second of his respective jobs.
During the summer, Everton broke their transfer record to sign Brazilian left winger Richarlison for roughly £40 million (rising to £50 million), but also signed defenders Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne from Barcelona for £28 million and £18 million respectively. Attacking midfielder Andre Gomes joins the ranks on loan, having also joined from Barcelona. Nathan Ake’s former teammate Kurt Zouma was signed on loan too. Additionally, free signing Bernard has come in from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Everton currently sits one place below us in 7th position after drawing their opener 2-2 with newly-promoted Wolves and beating nearby Southampton 2-1 last weekend. Record signing Richarlison already has three goals to his name and looks like the exciting prospect he did this time last season at Watford. The team have looked very strong going forward but there are vulnerabilities at the back – similar to us. It will be a very interesting match to watch due to the similarities between both teams and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few goals for both sides.
Previous games against Everton have been very exciting and memorable for us in the Premier League. Our first Premier League fixture against them in November 2015 ended in a 3-3 draw with three Bournemouth goals after 80 minutes. A 9 goal thriller at Goodison Park in the 16/17 season ended in a loss, however, we won the reverse fixture, with a Stanislas 20 yard goal. Last season at Goodison, we valiantly lost 2-1 with King opening the scoring on 49 minutes. Everton eventually did what we usually do and came from behind to win with two Niasse goals in between five minutes. It had dampened the high hopes of PL survival after beating rivals Brighton 2-1 in the previous fixture. The home fixture led to us taking revenge on the 30th of December with the man of the match Ryan Fraser opening the scoring on 33 minutes and grabbing the winner on 88 minutes. Ironically, it became a turning point for our season, as we grabbed our first win in a 7 game unbeaten run.
In home games against the Blues, we have W2 D1 L2. We are currently unbeaten in the Premier League at home to Everton. In home and away games, we have W2 D1 L7.
AFCB Team News:
Bournemouth team will most likely be the same as last fixture, due to excellent performances in the two previous fixtures.
Diego Rico serves the last match of his suspension so he’ll continue to be unavailable. Record signing Jefferson Lerma may be on the bench but I highly doubt he’ll be a starter for Saturday. Junior Stanislas remains side-lined but should be in training soon.
AFCB Player to Watch:
There were some standout players from last game and Cardiff. Callum Wilson, David Brooks, Adam Smith and Steve Cook have shone. I’ll have to go with Steve Cook. He’s a rock in defence who is extremely brave and very talented. He created Callum’s excellent solo goal at the London Stadium and scored the winner for us, and was personally my man of the match that game. He’s a determined player and a future captain, and will surely be able to cope with the attacking capability of Everton with Nathan Ake by his side.
Everton Team News:
Former Barcelona players Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina (a compatriot of Jefferson Lerma) remain major doubts, alongside Morgan Schneiderlin, Beni Baningime and new signing Bernard. Jason McCarthy remains a long-term absentee. Captain Phil Jagielka remains suspended after being sent off against Wolves.
Everton Player to Watch:
It has to be Richarlison. Having been Man of the Match in his previous two games (Wolves (A) and Southampton (H)) along with three goals already this season, the £50 million signing scored his first goal for previous club Watford against us, so it’ll be interesting how he gets on this weekend.
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