Marco Silva's Fulham were held to a 2-2 draw by Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon at home in the Premier League, a result that leaves both in a good position to challenge for the division's European qualification spots.
Milos Kerkez's corner was met by Raul Jimenez in the latter stages of the first half to give Fulham the lead, but the Cherries drew themselves level shortly after the interval thanks to Evanilson's impressive finish from close range.
Fulham thought they had taken all three points after Harry Wilson rose to head home with less than 20 minutes left to play, but Dango Ouattara took advantage of their hosts' poor build-up in the closing stages to draw the visitors level.
The stalemate means that Fulham are now eighth in the Premier League with 29 points at the halfway stage of 2024-25 and are two points and two places behind Bournemouth, who are five points from fourth-placed Chelsea.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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The Cherries' boss is undoubtedly making a case for manager of the season given there is a real chance that he could lead his side to European football.
When taking into account that Iraola lost striker Dominic Solanke in the summer of 2024, the Bournemouth boss has done remarkably well to keep his team competitive in the top half of the Premier League.
The same could be said of Marco Silva, who lost midfielder Joao Palhinha in 2024 and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in 2023, and yet he continues to get the most out of his Fulham side.
FULHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
40th min: Fulham 1-0 Bournemouth (Raul Jimenez)
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Fulham pack the centre of the penalty area with a number of players during a corner and block off Bournemouth defenders, allowing Jimenez to peel away in the box, before he heads across goal and into the bottom-left corner.
A great set-piece goal!
52nd min: Fulham 1-1 Bournemouth (Evanilson)
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Bournemouth work the ball from the left touchline to the right inside Fulham's half, and James Hill plays a pass beyond the Cottagers's backline to Evanilson, who latches onto the ball and stretches from the right side of the six-yard box into the roof of the net.
A goal from nothing!
73rd min: Fulham 2-1 Bournemouth (Harry Wilson)
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Antonee Robinson collects the ball on the left of Bournemouth's box and he cuts back into the penalty area onto his right foot before picking out Wilson, who manages to attack the ball and direct his header into the right of the net from the centre of the box.
A great header!
89th min: Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth (Dango Ouattara)
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Fulham try to play out from the back through Issa Diop, but he gives possession to Antoine Semenyo, who gets the ball across to Ouattara on the right of the penalty spot before the goalscorer chips Bernd Leno.
Bournemouth are level!
MAN OF THE MATCH - ALEX IWOBI
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Though he might not have scored against Bournemouth, Alex Iwobi was crucial to Fulham's performance both in and out of possession.
The Fulham forward won five of his eight ground duels, won both of his tackles and made four recoveries during the game at Craven Cottage.
FULHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Fulham 52%-48% Bournemouth
Shots: Fulham 11-16 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Fulham 6-9 Bournemouth
Corners: Fulham 1-7 Bournemouth
Fouls: Fulham 7-16 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
Antoine Semenyo PL assists:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 29, 2024
2 — This season
2 — First two seasons combined pic.twitter.com/T4jTY6ma0I
WHAT NEXT?
Fulham's first fixture of 2025 will be a Premier League match against Ipswich Town on January 5, before taking on Watford in the third round of the FA Cup on January 9.
As for Bournemouth, they face Everton at home on January 4 and will then play West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup on January 11.
Lewis Nolan
