AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports after the match…
“I’m happy we were more clinical today, we scored from a set-play, that gives us the chance of having more of a threat because we’re a short team otherwise.
“It was a solid performance. Not amazing, but solid. I’m happy we kept playing the same way, kept pushing until the end.
“We have 28 points, that’s good, everyone is quite bunched up but to have that at Christmas is a good amount. We have two more chances this week and we’ll try to get the maximum there too.”
Written by kirsikka
Adams in for Cook was the only change which felt like rotation more than anything.
How can I sum that up? They say lightning doesn’t strike twice, but it seems AI does. The man is more of a force of nature than giant bolts of electricity exploding from the sky.
It’s getting towards the point where I’m starting to think I might be experiencing a Bobby Ewing moment. Not that I’d object to waking up and finding Victoria Principal in my shower, but I think my wife would so let’s carry on and assume this is real life.
W… T… A… F… is going on? Wowsers.
In many ways, it was a strange match. It wasn’t really a humdinger (a word I’ve just remembered and intend to use more in 2025), but for long periods I can only describe the situation as uncomfortably comfortable.
By that I mean, until our second if they had scored one then it felt like they might overrun us and so even though we were ahead and they were wasting chances, it just needed one ball to go against us and it could all chance. Reader, it didn’t.
AI has been very flexible in how he’s approached matches in recent weeks. The line of the press has been moving up and down the pitch like the league status of that lot up the road. Today for extended periods it wasn’t his classic high press but also wasn’t a low block. It was kind of a mid-press a lot of the time.
They didn’t seem prepared for this or for us to try and go toe-to-toe with them on their own patch. Perhaps it is down to a lack of preparation time after a cup match on Thursday, but anyone who is surprised by us trying to give teams a game hasn’t been paying attention.
Neither team was really a dominant so it came down to needed someone to step up to change things. Smith went down the wing and a sliding challenge took out his trailing leg. Not sure what the objections were about… we all know Smudger can go down easily at times but this was a clear foul.
Christie stepped up and swung in a ball which Huiijsen flicked a looping header into the far corner. Simplicity itself but also let’s recognise the quality there which has often been lacking in our final ball and/or finishes this season.
Bournemouth lead at Old Trafford! It's Dean Huijsen again! 🍒
Just a chill guy.#MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/Vd9Cz56E3J
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2024
We did then hunker down through to half time as they tried to get back into it but spurned their openings when they came, along with being denied by some good work from Kepa in what was his best performance since he joined.
I can’t speak for anyone else but I when the halftime whistle went, I let out my breath after holding it for what felt like twenty minutes. Massive relief.
AI did his interval stuff in reseting us and also made the interesting and adventurous change of Smith for Cook. Not sure if it was tactical or injury related but was a brave decision with Aarons sitting on the bench.
+3 😉 pic.twitter.com/XYWGCGsC5c
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 22, 2024
We came back out and started looking to match them again rather than sit on our lead, hitting them much further up the pitch. It did expose us to potential breakaways but it also meant we were putting them under pressure at times. And that’s how the battle was won…
Kluivert broke into the area and was clearly taken out by the defender. Undoubted penalty. And, of course, King of the Cool Cucumbers Kluivert put it away. 2-0 and breathing space.
Only this team doesn’t stop… a couple of minutes later some beautiful control from Evanilson after good work from Semenyo allowed him to weigh the perfect ball to Dango who burst into the area and laid it on for Semenyo to score. Started and finished the move. A genuinely lovely goal.
Bournemouth love visiting Old Trafford! ❤️#MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/mRDIS0xU4L
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2024
3-0 and Man Utd looked ragged. They were throwing everything at us but lacking composure and quality with the chances they carved out. When they did get it right, Kepa stood strong to repel them.
Meanwhile, we continued to pose a threat when we pushed forward but didn’t overcommit to lessen the risk of letting them back into the match.
🍒 #AFCB sitting 5th in the @premierleague at Christmas is absolutely mad.
Winning 3-0 at #MUFC is just what they do now 🤯
Kepa & Zaba were enormous today. Ouatarra massive shift, Adams, Christie, Huijsen, everyone deserves a mention tbh.
— Kris Temple (@kristemple) December 22, 2024
And that was that. The only thing missing? A Dango goal to make up for the one he was robbed of in this fixture last season.
Is it too late to write to Santa and ask for this to continue through to the end of the season? I feel greedy even thinking it, but twelve points from the Entitled Six so far this season and we’ve only played them once each means we must be in the conversation now.
We’re a genuine force to be reckoned with in this league. Gosh. Gosh. Triple gosh.
🗣️ "It was comfortable for them"
Darren Ambrose reflects on Man Utd's 3-0 loss to Bournemouth 🔴 pic.twitter.com/nwzJEG2fi4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Selected Player Watch
—– Dango —–
I was critical of his final ball on Monday when he had so many chances to pick out the right one. Today was a totally different performance in that he had very limited chances to impact the game going forward but the one time he did break through he played the perfect pass. That’s the composure he needs. On the other side, defensively he was a rock. Gave them nothing and put in plenty of superb covering work and challenges. Excellent.
—– Huijsen —–
Still learning his trade and still makes distribution mistakes – notably bailed out by Kepa at one point – but at 19 he is looking an absolute bargain. Also good to have another centre-back with an eye for a set piece goal.
—– Zabarnyi —–
Another performance of Brobdingnagian proportions. Whatever the reason behind Foley’s residence in Bournemouth during January, the best thing he can do is stick a huge “Not for sale” sign on the Ukrainian for this window.
—– Kepa —–
Flawless display, even given their penchant for shooting off target. A couple of very good saves but also looked like a strong and calming presence throughout. This is what I think we were all hoping for when AI stuck by him.
—– Adams —–
Looks so much more comfortable with Christie in front of him. Lots of energy and some good covering. Still not perfect as he was weak on the ball/challenged a couple of times but starting to prove himself as an excellent option.
—– Cook —–
Mr Versatility steps in again to play out of position and make a difference. What a player.
AI and Tactics Watch
In many ways, it was another masterclass but it’s important that we don’t let the result skew opinions. That period after scoring through until halftime we did look vulnerable and they really should have scored from all the pressure they created.
It was put right in the break, and that’s part of the genius of the man. He and the teams he assembles are so tactically flexible. It’s like watching a grandmaster play chess sometimes. I can admire the outcomes without having a true understanding of how the heck he does it. It’s still enthralling to watch, though.
Not sure about the final stats, but at one point, they had 11 corners to our 1, which does tell a story of how wasteful they were. However, I’m not going to complain about that. Our biggest failing so far this season has been a lack of efficiency in front of goal. Today we were the ruthless ones. Keep that up and… who knows?
Diallo had been their in-form dangerman coming into this but he was locked up safely most of the afternoon, long-range potshots aside. They tried moving his position around but to no avail. That’s down to excellent defending and clever tactics.
Talking of ‘the journey’ is very reality tv but sometimes we still have to take a step back, look at where we were and where we are now. Then take a deep breath and… enjoy. It’s hecking incredible. Fantastic. Unbelievable. Astounding. Thesauraus-tastic stuff.
I know some of you think I’m hard on things that go wrong or individuals who, in my opinion, have poor matches but don’t get stuck on those things. It’s always worth pointing out where I think we can improve, no matter how well things are going.
I still appreciate and savour every moment of what’s happening. It’s been a joy to write these this season, and many thanks to all of you who take the time to read and respond.
For Christmas, I can’t give you a gift that surpasses three points away at Old Trafford for the second year running and the Cherries sitting fifth in the table. Who can match that?
All I’ve got for you is a recommendation to check the status of your passports. There’s still an awful long way to go, but its starting to be a genuinely realistic possibility.
Peaceful wishes to all the community on here, even the annoying ones, and all their loved ones. Happy Christmas. UTCIAD.
Just how good have Bournemouth been this season? 💭 pic.twitter.com/9Fol8i4Cr0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 23, 2024
Your say…
Toronto John said…
It really seems like some type of mushroom-inspired experience. We have seen how we “could be” top 5 over the past month, but then dropped games against Brentford and Brighton were a dose of reality. But, to now actually be there, having taken 13 of the last 15 available points ………….. it’s surreal.
Still two games before the half-way mark, then we go again. Doubles over Arsenal, both Manchesters and Spurs? Emotionally, is it better than the year we stayed up? – To join the conversation, please click here.