AFC Bournemouth traveled to Wolverhampton on Saturday to take on Wolves at Molineux.
There may well have been extra eyes on the fixture from the national media, as it of course is a clash between a former AFC Bournemouth head coach in Gary O’Neil and the current incumbant in the form of Andoni Iraola.
In June 2023, AFC Bournemouth sacked Gary O’Neil and immediately appointed Andoni Iraola. The move shocked everyone, outside of the Bournemouth bubble and during the Cherries difficult start to the 2023/24 campaign, many in the media took great delight in AFC Bournemouth’s downfall over making the decision, especially following the first meeting between the two sides saw Wolves come out as the victors.
Wolves would go on to enjoy a decent run until the beginning of March 2024 with Gary O’Neil rewarded with a four-year-contract, whilst AFC Bournemouth almost immediately turned the tide and ended up breaking their points tally record for a top-flight campaign, with Andoni Iraola also rewarded with a contract extension.
So win-win all around then?
Well not quite, whilst AFC Bournemouth have continued to thrive and enjoyed victories over Arsenal and Manchester City this season, Wolves took their end of season form into this season.
An 8-month run saw them win just one Premier League fixture, losing 14 from 20 games.
Victories over Southampton and Fulham made some believe Gary O’Neil was set to turn it around. Only for them to lose once again to AFC Bournemouth, with a hat-trick of penalties from Justin Kluivert and a thunderbolt from Milos Kerkez.
The result reportedly leaves Gary O’Neil on the brink of being sacked once again.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Iraola said…
“Pleased about the performance and the points. We were coming from two games where we played well and deserved more.
“We needed to finish the job and take the points home. Luckily today, we did it. It is difficult to play against Wolves, as they don’t need a lot to score. Even if we are playing well.”
“I would like to give credit to Evanilson, he was the difference maker today. He created chances and made it difficult for them. His work rate without the ball gives us a lot.”
Man of the match against Wolves
Evanilson
Evanilson
Vote
Kluivert
Kluivert
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Tavernier
Tavernier
Vote
Adams
Adams
Vote
Kerkez
Kerkez
Vote
Zabarnyi
Zabarnyi
Vote
Brooks
Brooks
Vote
Senesi
Senesi
Vote
Christie
Christie
Vote
Someone else
Someone else
Vote
Topfarrier
Great away performance……Eva was immense…..as was Christie…Adams also very good…..Zabarnyi was shockingly poor though and the less said about Dango’s cameo the better. …but what a great result.
Huge praise for Evanilson and Justin from the boss 🙌
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 30, 2024
After a VAR check, Justin Kluivert slots home the penalty to give Bournemouth an early lead! 📺🔴 pic.twitter.com/AX5de5OsGJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2024
Kerkez has the Cherries back ahead! THIS GAME!! 🤯🍒 pic.twitter.com/0XHGMr09Rg
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2024
Another VAR check and another penalty 🚨
Kluivert SCORES his second from the spot and Bournemouth's third! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/T6hVqVqVgA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2024
Crazy scenes!! 😲
Moments after Wolves pull one back, Bournemouth and Kluivert score a THIRD penalty ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/KGBSGKvTJD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2024
dragonm8
It’s a delight to witness sometimes, quite often in fact.
Bournemouth passing it around like a dream.
If the squad had a little more depth a European spot is not beyond the realms of possibility.
The next few transfer windows are key….do we add and hold on to what we have, or do some of the prized assets move on.
Over to you Bill Foley.
🚨 PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY 🚨@justinkluivert is the first player in #PL history to score a hat-trick of penalties 🔥
Evanilson is the first player in #PL history to win three penalties in a single game 💪
SCENES. pic.twitter.com/hKpAjOSAiF
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 30, 2024
Take a closer look at the match ball with the man himself 😍 pic.twitter.com/tVuTKJ7ZgS
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 30, 2024
Johnny Comelately
I thought the two CBs were poor today but luckily Wolves forwards were worse and Kepa didn’t really have to make a save. AI got the tactics spot on. I was encouraged by Brooks and Billing’s efforts but Ouattara had one of those games, he just kept making the wrong decisions and losing the ball, which hopefully means he’ll have a good one against Spurs. Christie was excellent and Adams looked good although still a little lightweight against the bigger players. Kerkez very good but Tav a little anonymous at times. Great game though.
Rob151060
Phew! – much relieved by that result. Is it just me?- I didn’t really find I could relax until there were only 4 of the added 8 left- remember we’ve scored three in 8 minutes once this season. But such a great result and great to be in a full-throated bouncy crowd again. Great noise in the Bournemouth end and thought we played some really good football today. Some lax passing when we slacked off but I guess everyone’s entitled to a breather now and again. – To join the conversation, click here.