Match Report
Fulham (1) 2-2 (2) AFC Bournemouth
Premier League Match Day 10 22/23 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 15th October April 2022 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)
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Fulham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in a thriller against resurgent Bournemouth as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a penalty on his return from injury.
The visitors extended their unbeaten run under caretaker Gary O'Neil to six matches and led within 64 seconds when Dominic Solanke finished a brilliant move after linking up with Philip Billing.
Fulham roared back through Issa Diop's header at a corner only for Bournemouth to go in front once more in the first-half when Jefferson Lerma swept home at the end of another slick attack.
But, having been pulled down by Lerma in the box with the penalty decision described by O'Neil as "terrible", Mitrovic coolly slotted home the spot kick for his seventh goal of the season to put a stop to Fulham's slide.
The return of Mitrovic came as a much-needed boost to Fulham, but his thunder was stolen inside two minutes. Bournemouth worked the ball out from the back and down the hosts' right as Billing and Solanke combined with the striker confidently side-footing home first time.
Fulham controlled possession throughout the contest, responding well to the early setback and deservedly levelled as Diop powered a header from Andreas Pereira's in-swinging corner with Neto unable to keep it out.
The equaliser sparked Bournemouth into life and seven minutes later they were back in front. This time Solanke turned provider, laying the ball off for Lerma in the box, who had held his run to stay unmarked, and he converted.
The Cherries were denied a third in the first-half by a superb double save from Bernd Leno to first deny Lerma's close-range header before Adam Smith followed in with another which he tipped over.
Marco Silva brought on Willian and Tom Cairney at half-time which gave Fulham more of a spark. They didn't have to wait long for the equaliser as Lerma wrestled Mitrovic to the floor in the box - and the striker set Neto the wrong way from the spot.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Bournemouth |
| Goals |
(1) 2 |
2 (2) |
|
| Scorers |
Diop 22 |
Solanke 2 |
|
Mitrovic pen 52 |
Lerma 29 |
|
| Goal attempts |
19 |
10 |
| On target |
4 |
6 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
21% |
60% |
| Possession |
69% |
31% |
| Passes |
584 |
264 |
| Passes Success |
85% |
69% |
| Crosses |
38 |
11 |
| Crosses Success |
26% |
46% |
| Corners |
5 |
6 |
| Tackles |
12 |
16 |
| Tackles Success |
83% |
56% |
| Saves |
4 |
2 |
| Fouls |
9 |
11 |
| Offsides |
1 |
0 |
| Yellows |
2 |
0 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Fulham dominated the final 15 minutes once Solanke had forced Leno to save with his legs yet they were unable to find a winner as Mitrovic fired wide in the final moment of injury time.
Opta stats
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Fulham ended a run of 18 consecutive Premier League home defeats when conceding the first goal, gaining their first such points since a 4-2 victory against Brighton in January 2019.
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Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored five of his seven Premier League goals this season in his five appearances at Craven Cottage, as many goals as he'd scored in his previous 30 home games in the competition combined.
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Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke has been directly involved five goals (two goals, three assists) in his last five Premier League games, already his best such tally for goal involvements in a single campaign in the competition, after just eight appearances in 2022-23.
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Solanke scored his 50th league goal in English football, netting in his third league game in a row against Fulham. Indeed, only against Huddersfield has he scored in more consecutive league games (4).
Fulham are back in action on Thursday when they host Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
Fulham: Leno, De Cordova-Reid, Diop, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Cairney 45), Palhinha, James (Willian 45), Kebano (Wilson 62), Pereira (VinÃcius 87), Mitrovic
Unused substitutes: Duffy, Harris, Tosin, Mbabu, Rodak
Goals:
Diop 22 (Pereira swings in a corner from the left and centre-back Diop heads home at the near post. It was pretty easy for the defender to meet the delivery, the Bournemouth defence should have done more. Assist: Pereira.)
Mitrovic pen 52 (Mitrovic is wrestled to the floor by Lerma as the free-kick comes in! Mitrovic to take he side-foots the penalty into the bottom right corner, sending Neto the wrong way.)
Booked: De Cordova-Reid (38,f), Ream (54,f)
AFC Bournemouth: Neto, Smith, Fredericks, Mepham, Senesi, Christie (Stacey 89), Tavernier (Anthony 75), Lerma, Cook, Solanke (Moore 89), Billing (Zemura 80)
Unused substitutes: Stephens, Stanislas, Rothwell, Travers, Dembele
Goals:
Solanke 02 (Bournemouth have the lead already! A superb move from the visitors sees them work the ball out from the back and down the Fulham right. Billing and Solanke combine in the area with the striker brilliantly finishing first time with the side of his foot. Wow!)
Lerma 29 (Bournemouth have woken up since conceding! Christie plays in Solanke inside the box, the striker keeps his cool and unselfishly pulls the ball back for Lerma. The midfielder holds his position in the box to stay unmarked before sweeping the ball into the corner. Two shots - two goals for Bournemouth!)
Booked: xxxx (xx,x),
Referee:
Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)
Attendance: xxxxx