Bournemouth vs Everton: Pre-Match Analysis
Marco Rose applauding travelling Bournemouth fans after defeat at Manchester City on opening day (Image Courtesy of Naomi Baker via Getty Images)
A trip to the Etihad on opening day is a daunting task for any team, but Bournemouth more than stood up to the task after Marcus Tavernier's strike in the 26th minute saw the Cherries lead for just under an hour.
However, two goals in seven minutes from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol saw Manchester City break Bournemouth hearts and win it late on.
Any manager who came in after Andoni Iraola was going to have a tough act to follow, something Marco Rose has even alluded to himself, but the performance against City was certainly enough fuel to provide optimism for the campaign ahead.
Now with a European path mapped out following the League Phase draw for the UEFA Europa League, as well as a potentially favourable Carabao Cup draw at home to newly promoted Championship side Lincoln City, Bournemouth fans can already start envisaging the possibilities in what is set to be a historic season for the club.
A new dawn at the Vitality:
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: General views inside the Vitality stadium before 1 the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Aston Villa at Vitality Stadium on February 07, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: General views inside the Vitality stadium before 1 the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Aston Villa at Vitality Stadium on February 07, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The 2025/26 campaign under Andoni Iraola will forever live in the memory of Bournemouth fans. None more so than those who witnessed the Cherries on the verge of expulsion with a 17-point deduction in League Two.
To not only be competing with the biggest clubs in the country, but to be getting the better of teams such as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur by booking a place in Europe, there is no greater indication of how far Bournemouth have come in the last 18 years.
Sadly, another indicator of success as a 'smaller' club is having your assets poached by some of the bigger clubs, with Iraola's departure to Liverpool sparking a new beginning in Dorset.
Former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig boss Rose now takes charge of a Cherries side that will play their first-ever European campaign this season.
This will include a home clash with seven-time European champions (three in the Champions League era), AC Milan.
Regardless of what happens in Europe, history will be made for the Cherries, but there is a genuine belief by many that they can compete on all fronts and truly achieve something remarkable this season.
Bournemouth will be confident of taking the first step on that journey with a win over an Everton side they have beaten in six out of the last seven encounters, although the Toffees did earn a 1-0 win at the Vitality in their last visit back in December.
Have Everton found their mojo?
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Thierno Barry of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Crystal Palace FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Thierno Barry of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Crystal Palace FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
David Moyes' side are just two games into their season, but two wins, two clean sheets and six goals scored have seen them provide the perfect early foundations.
Scoring goals has been a problem for Everton for a number of years, with their lack of end product in front of goal a point of contention last season, despite their highest goal tally since 2020/2021 (47).
Injuries to the likes of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as well as an underperforming pair of strikers in Beto and Thierno Barry, saw Everton's hopes of Europe fall by the wayside.
However, after an impressive pre-season, the 23-year-old Frenchman Barry has come back with a new swagger, and has fired out the blocks with four goals in two games, including a hat-trick at Preston in the Carabao Cup.
Pair this with the arrival of Brennan Johnson, who less than 18-months ago scored the winning goal in a European final, as well as a potential return of Grealish and kick-on seasons for Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling, Everton suddenly look like a real attacking force to be reckoned with.
This is despite the potential departure of star player Iliman Ndiaye, who is linked with a move to Manchester City.
Losing the Senegalese international will be a hammer blow, but Everton now have an attacking unit that will pose a real threat to the Cherries' backline, particularly if this is to be the debut of new goalkeeping arrival Michele Di Gregorio, who has never played in England before.
Tough run of fixtures to come:
Whilst no one at the performance centre will be underestimating the challenge that the Toffees will pose, there will be an awareness of the sheer depth of difficulty in the run of fixtures the Cherries have to come after their home opener.
After the Everton game, Bournemouth will make the 350-mile trip to St. James' Park to play Newcastle United. Following this, the Cherries will play Lincoln in the Carabao Cup, before hosting a Brentford side who have also had an emphatic start to their season.
Rose's side will then embark on the first leg of their European journey, with the full schedule and dates to be announced in due course. This will precede a home game against Liverpool, a trip to Stamford Bridge, a clash with fellow Europa League side Sunderland, and then Manchester United at Old Trafford.
These fixtures will also coincide with further European and Cup games, making for a congested schedule of difficult fixtures from top to bottom.
As such, a win at the Vitality against Everton will be imperative, as a promising season on paper can very easily see the Cherries get swamped by the sheer intensity of their schedule.
(Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Bournemouth sign Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio on loan
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Alex Scott celebrates scoring against Brighton. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Alex Scott celebrates scoring against Brighton. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Kroupi scored a famous goal for Bournemouth in the 1-1 against Manchester City back in May, securing the Cherries Europe, and winning Arsenal the title (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Kroupi scored a famous goal for Bournemouth in the 1-1 against Manchester City back in May, securing the Cherries Europe, and winning Arsenal the title (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
AFC Bournemouth celebrate their Europa League qualification. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
AFC Bournemouth celebrate their Europa League qualification. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
The Cherries begin season at Wimbledon (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The Cherries begin season at Wimbledon (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
(Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
(Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)