Bournemouth is a tricky place to go for Everton. It's unclear why, but in the Premier League era, the Toffees have struggled.
More Videos
After an inspiring home win to begin the season, Everton embark on one of their not-so-favourite destinations in the Premier League.
No, not Stamford Bridge, not Anfield. Bournemouth. One win ever in the Premier League era, which was last season, due to a deflected Jack Grealish shot (did we care? We didn’t).
I am going back in time to Bournemouth’s first year in the Premier League 2015/16 season, Eddie Howe’s merry men entertained Everton on 28th November 2015.
If you remember the game as much as I do, you will be shuddering already.
Everton raced into a two-goal lead after a header from Funes Mori on 25 mins and then, a lovely finish by in form Romelu Lukaku (assist from Gerard Deulofeu) to make it 0-2 on 36 mins. Job done, yes?
Everton being...Everton
No. Never under-estimate the sheer Everton things Everton can do to their own fans.
Adam Smith, on as a substitute at half-time, made it 1-2 with 10 minutes to go. Bournemouth laid siege to Everton’s goal, who looked nothing like the team that raced into a two-goal advantage.
Junior Stanislas morphed into prime Maradona, ran Everton ragged and eventually got the equaliser on 87 minutes, with the cherries the one on the ascendancy to actually win the game.
Side Note: Tim Howard had a great career for Everton, but watching this back shows how badly he fell from grace; his decision-making in this particular game left a lot to be desired.
Everton, randomly, did make the breakthrough and ‘won’ the game on 95 minutes through Ross Barkley, which sparked a pitch invasion. The invasion was probably a tongue and cheek celebration having led 0-2 for so long, it was going to be Everton’s day after all.
Wrong, Junior Stanislas ran the length of the pitch, and the Everton defence could only watch as he slapped in the equaliser on 98 minutes. The Cherry fans went wild, Everton fans with egg on face. The game ended 3-3.
The game management was a big part of this, Bobby Martinez was completely out of his depth here and it showed, this game was done. Also, Everton fans running on the pitch on 95 mins probably added on more time than it should have, meaning Bournemouth had more time to score.
As Everton games go, this could be up there with the most ‘Everton’ thing to happen to them. Let’s hope this is not the case come Saturday.