Bournemouth’s historic season continued on Thursday as they played – and won – their first European home game, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League.
It makes it two wins from two for the competition’s debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a half-time lead – something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League.
Evanilson will be the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith – captain of a side he joined in England’s third tier 16 years ago – found him with a cross, with the Brazilian heading a powerful shot past the keeper from 15 yards.
Sturm Graz came out with purpose at the start of the second half and could have equalized just after the hour mark. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic needed to keep out Jacob Hodl’s pursuit.
But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a screamer from Daniil Khudyakov, whose shot from a corner landed at the Bournemouth striker. His low, heated shot then skimmed through the keeper’s outstretched hands.
And in second-half added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was booked for a foul on James Hill – also following a Bournemouth corner.
Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to score his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries in fifth place in the Europa League stage table before they welcome Ruben Amorim’s Milan to Vitality next Thursday.
Bournemouth had a goal disallowed in the first half for a handball by Bafode Diakate
Highlights from the Vitality Stadium…
12: CHANCE! Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the oncoming Tavernier but he saves well as his effort goes wide.
29: NO GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth – but it’s immediately dismissed for a handball against Bafode Diakate.
33: OUT OF THE POST!! Tavernier’s curling attempt hits the woodwork.
Marcus Tavernier hit the post in the first half for Bournemouth against Sturm Graz
41: PUNISHMENT?! THE ARCHER SAYS NO! Sturm Graz had the better attack of the first half, with calls for a penalty after Beganovic was brought down. He was unfairly penalized afterwards, but it seems he was already losing ground after Smith made contact.
43: GOAL! Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible header from distance.
63: OUT OF THE POST! SAVE IT! Heil hits the post with a great effort from the right, before Hodl’s chase is stopped by Djorde Petrovic’s feet.
76: GOAL! Rayan’s low, hard shot beats Khudyakov behind poor goalkeeping.
90+2: PENALTY SET! Stankovic fouls Hill as he shoots inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty. Rodriguez scores from the spot.
“That was a Bournemouth performance”
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith THE TNT Sports: “It’s been a long time coming. The fans were ready for it, the players were ready for it, so we’re very happy with the performance.
“It wasn’t my best cross (for Evanilson’s goal) but I got it into the box and what a finish from him. It’s a great header. He’s deserved it because he’s worked so hard this season and there’s a lot more to come from him.
“We deserved that bit of luck and from there, we went on to win the game. In the second half, we tired a bit, but the quality that came from the bench is great. We look forward to Sunday now.”
If this can be a springboard for Bournemouth: “It was very disappointing at the weekend (against Chelsea). We let ourselves down as players, we know that. We had a chat with each other and got a reaction today.
“That’s a Bournemouth performance there, but the week isn’t over. We’ve got a massive game against Sunderland and we need to get three points.”
Alvaro Rodriguez scores from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 to Bournemouth against Sturm Graz.
Rose: A deserved win – now we have to be consistent
Bournemouth the head coach Marco Rose to TNT Sports when asked if he saw what he wanted from his team: “Yes. Performance wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort. A deserved win and now we have to go on and be consistent in this kind of thing. Sunderland is the next challenge.
“I believe in this team and I know that we are always safe, despite being in a difficult situation (in the Premier League). Even today we changed some players.
“We could see that the team is working, that everyone is eager to play, that everyone deserves to play and it’s good for us to have a competitive team in the next few weeks.
“Today, we won 3-0 and it’s a really good result after a good performance, but we have to prove that (consistency).
“Alvaro Rodriguez made some steps in the last three weeks starting with the national break. He worked very, very individually and you could see every step and I’m very happy that he scored.
“If we stay together like that, if we have our fans, then it’s hard to play (against) and then it’s hard to beat us. That’s what we have to take in the next game. It’s getting tough, but it helps this kind of game, this result.”
“This should be a springboard for Bournemouth’s season”
Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam in Vitality: “Next win in the Europa League!
“Not a classic but one that will live long in the memories of Bournemouth fans; their first taste of European football at the Vitality – a real moment in history. A game they dominated all over the pitch from start to finish.
“This should be the springboard for their season and their next game against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Win that and suddenly their season is over and on…”
What does the result mean and the next matches…
