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Everton 1-2 Bournemouth: Match Report & Instant Reaction | Three points thrown away

Another big game between teams fighting to get into the European places. Before kickoff, Everton were 3 points clear of the Cherries. The Blues were looking to do the double over Bournemouth after their narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a deflected Jack Grealish goal. Everton’s form at home has been poor and David Moyes was tasked with sorting this out if their goal of Europe was to be achieved.

David Moyes made two changes to the side that won at Fulham with Michael Keane and Harrison Armstrong making way for Jarrad Branthwaite and Tyrique George.

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Andoni Iraola’s also made two changes to his side with Ryan Christie and Alex Toth in the side, with Lewis Cook and top scorer Junior Kroupi being dropped to the bench. Tyler Adams was named among the substitutes after being out for almost two months with a knee injury.

Match Report

A Tuesday night match under the lights at Hill Dickinson. The Evertonians were in full voice with a rousing rendition of Forever Everton before the kickoff. Andy Madley was the man in the middle and if I don’t mention him again in this report it will be the best thing! Let’s also give a big hand to the mascot with James Tarkowski who was leading the cheering from his wheelchair.

A slow start to the match with Everton giving the ball away in their own half which led to a long throw which needed a VAR check to clear Tarkowski of a foul in the box. Some good work by Ndiaye on the right put the Cherries on the back foot for the first time.

Tyrique George is challenged by Alex Scott. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Ndiaye was then popping up on the left wing and forced a corner after a free kick from Garner. The resulting corner was delivered by Garner and was lobbed back into the six yard box. Ndiaye made a flick at the ball which he missed but the ball hit the back of the net. Unfortunately, Ndiaye was well offside and the goal was chalked off.

Everton’s pressure was causing issues for Bournemouth. The rain was coming down in buckets which was making the surface very slick and difficult to control. Both teams were struggling to keep possession of the ball which was making the match very disjointed.

Iliman Ndiaye and Alex Jimenez battle for the ball. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

PA Images via Getty Images

Gueye took an elbow to the face and was forced to leave the pitch because he had blood coming out of his mouth. A free kick for the Cherries was easily handled by Pickford who was trying to get his players up the pitch. When Adli took down Dewsbury Hall it was surprising that a yellow wasn’t given.

The resulting free kick was drilled goalward by Garner and when Petrovic spilled it, Barry could not get his shot on goal. Everton got the ball back right away and when Ndiaye met a lovely cross, Petrovic scrambled and made a super save to deny Everton.

Alex Toth and Vitaliy Mykolenko battle for the ball. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

PA Images via Getty Images

Tyrique George laid off a nice ball but Mykolenko did not overlap. George then lost possession and Evanilson should have done better but Pickford made the save. Another free kick for Everton from Garner was played short and when Bournemouth could not get the ball out, Rayan lost the ball and took Branthwaite down in the box. Andy Madley never hesitated to point to the spot. James Garner picked up the ball and then handed it to Iliman Ndiaye who slotted it into the side netting to break the deadlock.

Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring the opening goal. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Bournemouth looked to respond quickly as three minutes of additional time was announced. Rayan took a shot but Gueye slid in front and forced a corner which was well defended by Garner. The half ended with Everton in the lead and Pickford having little to do in his net.

The rain had not slowed down as the second half kicked off. Bournemouth were trying to control possession but the Blue wave continued to press and when Ndiaye was gifted a ball, he slide the ball iinto the middle which was well defended. Truffert then lost the ball to Dewsbury Hall who’s shot was goalbound but was kept out by a diving header from Hill. Bournemouth were creaking.

Thierno Barry of Everton reacts after missing a chance. (Getty Images)

Getty Images

Everton’s pressure was being vocally supported by the Evertonians in the stands. Bournemouth were trying to get the ball wider but they were being contained. Incredibly, Everton were not 3-0 up when Barry was on the ball inside the six yard box and this time it was Jiminez who denied the striker.

Bournemouth had their first attempt on goal and when Rayan went past Mykolenko, the winger went down and looked for the penalty but Madley was having none of it as Rayan had clipped his own feet. Rayan was given yellow for his complaints. Areola made two changes with Kroupi and Ünal coming on for Toth and Evanilson.

Rayan of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s first goal. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The match was brought back to parity when Rayan met a lovely cross from Truffert. Pickford had no chance and the cross was unplayable. Moyes had seen enough and brought on Beto and Armstrong for Barry and George. Thierno Barry was on the bench with his head in his lap knowing he should have done better today.

Incredibly, the match was turned on it’s head as Bournemouth took the lead with a free kick that was met by Ünal who headed the ball into an empty net.

Amine Adli of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s second goal. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Everton were all over the place and were giving the ball away too easily. They finally got on the ball but were committing me forward which led to O’Brien taking down Kroupi. Andy Madley took out his red card and the Irishman was off. In ten minutes, Everton had completely lost the plot.

Everton were trying to get the ball forward and Mykolenko was getting some joy on the left. The pressure was building and Ndiaye’s ball into Beto was behind the striker which made it easy for the keeper to coral it. Bournemouth took off Christie and Adli for Brooks and Cook. Brooks was immediately given a yellow for delaying the restart.

Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi is tackled by Everton’s James Tarkowski. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)

CameraSport via Getty Images

The free kick was met by Branthwaite but his header went over the bar. Bournemouth were hanging on with the Blues pressing for the equalizer. Gueye found himself on the edge of the box and forced a corner but the final touch was missing. Tarkowski was spending more time in the Bournemouth box and the Cherries were just hoofing the ball away.

Five minutes of additional time was announced as Everton had another corner. Armstrong couldn’t get any power on his header. Keane entered the match with Mykolenko being withdrawn. Bournemouth were trying to get on the ball but the blue wave continued. It was Pickford lobbing it forward and when Armstrong fouled Hill, the fans started to head for the exits.

A final push and a free kick was given to Everton on the edge of the box. Pickford was in the mix as well. Garner delivered it but no one could get a foot on it and the match ended with the referee’s whistle. A cacophony of boos rang down from the stands.

Iliman Ndiaye. MOTM (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

PA Images via Getty Images

Everton’s Man of the Match

Iliman Ndiaye: The Senegal winger was all action when Everton were going forward and also did the hard work defending. His penalty was taken with aplomb and his fast feet created difficulties for the Bournemouth backline. Too often his good work ended in disappointment as the finishers struggled or defenders made some great plays.

Instant Reaction

Everton will rue the missed opportunities today with the Toffees hitting the post and having two certain goals cleared away by the Bournemouth defenders. Looking at the match from a data point of view, Everton controlled most of the play and I suppose that the disappointment was present because they were frustrated by the number of chances. It was good to see Everton pushing for an equalizer even when they were down to 10 men.

Momentum data from FotMob.

There is nothing that drives me crazy more than when fans are booing their own team. Today, as I said above, we had the chances, but we also played some good football. Our home form has been poor but the way that Evertonians turn on their own team so quickly is unfortunate. In the fifteen minutes before the first Cherries goal, we were bossing the match and needed our supporters to continue to back them when the match was tied. That did not happen and the chaotic moments that followed should have seen more support rather than less. We can be disappointed but lets not cut our team down at the knees.

The wide play for Everton was far more balanced today with George and Ndiaye both willing to attack the Bournemouth wide areas. Later in the first half, George had the ball and it looked like Mykolenko was going to overlap into space, but the Ukrainian full back stopped in his tracks. More time needs to be played together so they understand each other. It surprised me when George was withdrawn with Armstrong replacing him on the left. Why not keep George on the pitch and put Ndiaye into the middle?

Full time stats from FotMob

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