Bournemouth have moved out of the Premier League relegation zone courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Andreas Pereira sent the visitors ahead in the 16th minute of the contest, but Bournemouth levelled the scores early in the second half through Marcus Tavernier before Dominic Solanke won it late on.
The result has moved the Cherries up into 15th position in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone, while Fulham remain ninth, one point ahead of rivals Chelsea.
Fulham were missing both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian through suspension following their red cards against Manchester United in the FA Cup last time out.
However, the Cottagers made the stronger start to proceedings despite the absence of the key duo, and they were rewarded with the opening goal of the match in the 16th minute through Pereira.
The former Manchester United attacker burst into the Bournemouth box before being found by Harrison Reed, and he expertly picked out the bottom corner, wrong-footing Cherries goalkeeper Neto in the process.
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Dango Ouattara missed the post with a strike in the 32nd minute, with the home side looking to level, before Pereira sent a bicycle kick just wide of the target down the other end in the 40th minute.
Bournemouth should have levelled the scores in the closing stages of the first period, but Solanke saw his attempt saved by Bernd Leno before Ouattara somehow hit the underside of the crossbar from close range.
The Cherries did manage to equalise early in the second period, though, with Tavernier scoring a brilliant effort from the edge of the box, two minutes after Tim Ream had cleared one off the line for Fulham.
Solanke then had a chance to send Bournemouth ahead in the 54th minute, but his goal-bound strike was brilliantly blocked by Ream, before Jefferson Lerma had one deflected onto the top of the goal by Reem, with Fulham being stretched defensively after a comfortable first period.
The Cottagers did manage to settle after an intense period, but the home side scored a second in the 79th minute through Solanke, who managed to convert from close range after Leno had kept out Ryan Christie's attempt.
Fulham struggled to carve out any clear chances in the latter stages of the contest, with Bournemouth defending their lines to claim a vital three points in their battle to remain in the division.
Gary O'Neil's side will be looking to build on the win when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night, while Fulham are next in action at home to West Ham United next weekend.
Matt Law
