This Premier League season continues to deliver unpredictable, often tightly contested matches. Everton secured a narrow victory over Bournemouth thanks to a deflected Jack Grealish shot that found the corner of the net. Both mid-table teams displayed immense effort, though the game lacked high-quality play and clear-cut chances.
Bournemouth’s promising start to the season is fading, marked by inconsistencies and a tough November, including a collapse against Sunderland. Everton fans understand this struggle, having followed a strong win at Old Trafford with a poor result against Newcastle. This victory at Bournemouth, a ground where they previously had no Premier League wins, provides a crucial boost.
Everton faced this match with a depleted squad, missing Idrissa Gana Gueye (suspended and AfCon-bound) and Michael Keane, forcing Jake O’Brien to centre-back and James Garner to right-back. Manager David Moyes embraced a traditional “School of Science” approach with creative players like Alcaraz and Grealish, aiming for a true football contest against Bournemouth’s midfield general, Alex Scott.