Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "I think it is a very important and good win from our side. It is always difficult to win away but we feel like the game has been level.

"There were moments when they have been pushing a lot and you could see the 1-1 coming but we suffered well and recovered well."

On Junior Kroupi's goal: "We can put him in that position around the box, he can score goals. I think now we will change the way we are playing around him. He gives us the quality on the ball which is always important. When you are 19 with eight goals it is incredible because he doesn't start every game. He is giving us the work-rate so we keep him in the pitch."

On new signing Rayan: "I think it was the perfect signing for him. He was very open and pushing a lot. He has good energy and his training has improved in the level."

On having a young team: "We are very young and we have made some mistakes but that is what you have to make and they are performing really well. They are gaining experience and composure. With the addition of these players we are becoming better."

Hear more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Listen to reaction and analysis on BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked podcast

Did you know?

• Bournemouth have won successive Premier League games for just the second time this season.

• Junior Kroupi has scored eight Premier League goals this season – the second most by a French teenager across a single campaign in the competition, behind only Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99 (13 goals).

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After ending their 11-match winless Premier League run against Tottenham earlier this month, Bournemouth appear to be finding form again.

While there was not much to separate the teams early on at Molineux, the visitors looked far more dangerous once Eli Junior Kroupi had thumped them ahead with his eighth league goal of the campaign.

The 19-year-old's strike - coming after Alex Scott had intercepted a stray pass inside the Wolves half - made him the joint highest-scoring teenager in Europe's top five leagues this term, level with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Amine Adli could have doubled the Cherries' lead before the interval, but after running on to Kroupi's through ball he was unable to steer his shot past Jose Sa from a tight angle.

The Wolves goalkeeper was forced into action again within seconds of the restart, parrying Alex Jimenez's goal-bound strike out of harm's way after a marauding run from the 20-year-old.

However, Bournemouth's failure to double their advantage left the door open for Wolves to snatch an equaliser - which they nearly did when Joao Gomes nodded against the woodwork late on.

It was not until Scott netted in the first minute of second-half stoppage time that Andoni Iraola - who was taking charge of his 100th Premier League game as Bournemouth boss - could truly celebrate a third win in four top-flight games.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Jorgen Strand Larsen is named on the bench once again as Rob Edwards makes three changes to the Wolves team that started last weekend's defeat at Manchester City.

Rodrigo Gomes, Emmanuel Agbadou and Tolu Arokodare come in, replacing Jackson Tchatchoua, Jhon Arias and Ladislav Krejci, who misses out through injury.

Wolves XI: Sa, Mosquera, S Bueno, Agbadou, R Gomes, J Gomes, Andre, H Bueno, Mane, Hwang, Arokodare

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Moller Wolfe, Strand Larsen, Arias, Lima, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, Abbey

Andoni Iraola keeps faith with the Bournemouth side that started last weekend's last-gasp victory at home to Liverpool.

January signings Rayan and Alex Toth are among the Cherries' substitutes.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Cook, Jimenez, Kroupi, Adli, Evanilson

Subs: Mandas, Christie, Diakite, Unal, Toth, Rayan, Milosavljevic, Rees-Dottin, DaCosta

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• Chelsea v West Ham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v West Ham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Wolves did not crumble after conceding an early goal at Manchester City last week but they never really looked like getting back into the game.

They are just playing for pride now, which is a terrible position to be in for any footballer, but at least they are showing a bit of fight despite basically being relegated already.

Bournemouth got that great late win over Liverpool last time out, but their away form is a concern - they have only won once all season, and that was in August.

Out of 11 teams to come to Molineux in the Premier League so far this season, eight have won and only one - West Ham - have lost.

I can see the points being shared this time because I always think the Cherries will score, but they usually concede too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Even the most optimistic of Wolverhampton Wanderers fans would be hard pushed to make a case for their club's Premier League survival as they welcome Bournemouth to Molineux on Saturday.

Rooted to the bottom of the table since early September, Wolves' five-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an unsurprising end against Manchester City last week, meaning they find themselves 18 points shy of safety, with just one win all season.

New Mane in town

Clearly it is too soon to ask teenager Mateus Mane to fill the boots of summer departure Matheus Cunha, but two goals in his first six career starts mark a promising breakthrough for the 18-year-old, who is also – worryingly – the club's joint top league scorer.

Wolves have netted a paltry 15 league goals all season, the fewest in the competition by some margin. They've also shipped 43, flitting between two goalkeepers in Sam Johnstone and current first-choice Jose Sa, who has been linked with a move to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Wolves are particularly susceptible to conceding goals from outside the box, recording a league-high nine.

The appointment of their former defender Rob Edwards as head coach in November has led to some improvement, though. Between May and December, Wolves conceded in all 11 of their league home games, conceding 26 goals in total. They've since kept a clean sheet in their last two at Molineux.

Ton up for Iraola

Injury-hit Bournemouth are looking to continue their recent resurgence in what will be head coach Andoni Iraola's 100th Premier League match in charge of the Cherries.

Ahead of that landmark, the Spaniard's win percentage of 35.4% ranks as comfortably the best among the club's four top-flight bosses.

Iraola admitted his side's stoppage-time winner against Liverpool last week is "probably the best goal to score". It secured a second victory in three league games - as many as they had won in their previous 16 matches - as they adjust to life without Antoine Semenyo.

To that end, this week they have signed Brazil under-20 forward Rayan from Vasco da Gama in a deal worth an initial £24.7m, while Greek goalkeeper Christos Mandas has made a loan switch from Lazio.

Amine Adli's scrappy clincher against Liverpool came from a long throw, but Iraola's men will be wary of such weapons. They have conceded a league-high 17 goals from set pieces, excluding penalties.

The Dorset club sit 13th in the table and could be higher but for an uninspiring away record. They've no wins in their last nine games away from the Vitality Stadium, with the Cherries' sole victory on the road this season coming at Spurs back in August.

That run means Bournemouth – who are currently without eight first-team players – have picked up 73% of their points this season at home; only Leeds United (76%) have a higher proportion.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux Stadium (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola updated us on his team news and says David Brooks "is the closest one to returning" but will more likely be available to face Aston Villa on 7 Feb.

• Tyler [Adams] and [Marcus] Tavernier are a couple of fixtures away from returns.

• The boss says new-signing Rayan is a "nice signing" and "used to playing under pressure".

• Iraola added: "He will need some time to adapt but I think he comes ready to help us straight away. He has been playing as a number nine but we see more outside, he could help us on the left and up front."

• Bournemouth have also added Christos Mandas on loan from Serie A club Lazio, and Iraola said: "He is a keeper that we were following from before. He is a different keeper from Đjorđe Petrovic, he has a different style and good on his feet, he is a quick keeper who is very agile and on the goal he gives us good competition for minutes."

• The boss was asked if he would make Mandas' move a permanent one and he said: "I think it's a deal that is open from both sides in terms that if the player performs very good and earns the right to stay here, then I think it will be an interesting singing. If he doesn't play as much then maybe it will be just a loan. We are happy with this and it is an opportunity to make a deal that improves the position."

• The transfer window closes on Monday [1st February] but Iraola still has more ideas: "We are working on trying to sign one more player - a winger because it's where we lack players with the injuries but now we have to be quite open minded and we have to find the right player for us."

• He added: "I am not expecting anyone will leave, because we are quite thin."

Listen to Andoni Iraola on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

What do you want to know about Bournemouth?

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Former Ferencvaros coach Rory Delap believes Bournemouth's new signing Alex Toth will be a "real success" for the club.

Delap, most commonly known for his time spent as a midfielder with Stoke City, coached Toth during a six-month spell with Ferencvaros last year, as he acted as assistant manager to Robbie Keane.

Bournemouth signed Toth from the Hungarian club this month, for a fee of £10.4m with a possible £2.6m in add-ons.

"Bournemouth have a very exciting, young midfielder who gets a lot of assists," Delap told BBC Radio Solent.

"In the next year, 18 months, if he can add goals to that he can be whatever he wants.

"His age and how quickly he's progressed will come into it. But the mentality of the lad, he's such a good kid.

"He wants to learn, is willing to listen and works so hard on and off the pitch.

"I think he'll be a real success."

You can listen to more from Delap on Toth here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the Cherries signing 19-year-old Rayan from Vasco da Gama.

Here are some of your comments:

Kathryn: Rayan, Mandas and Toth! I am speechless! Brilliant news!

Chris: Trust the manager and his back room team. What an exciting team we've got!

André: AFC Bournemouth's recruitment in recent years has been very fruitful, unearthing real gems; players with seemingly massive potential, and then developing and adapting them into our style of play and overall club ethos.

Nigel: Can't wait for Saturday!! And a signing like this will hopefully increase the chances of Iraola staying for another season of progress.

Terry: Sounds a really sound buy, good scouting again, sadly will sell on to a bigger club in a couple of years, but for now, welcome to the cherries family Rayan, we will cheer you on and give you a song, future legend.

Charl: Bournemouth latest signing Rayan is highly ambitious and our chairman deserves a lot of credit for trying to support a brilliant manager, by ploughing money into an exciting prospect. Pinto has been a great "signing" this club is in good hands, now get Jimenez on a permanent deal and all is well.

Bob: Why a forward? League position and goal difference clearly indicate defence is a major problem. A bottom 6 scramble for 3 months I think!

Malcolm: Another potential gem signing. Super excited to see what he can bring to the squad under the development of the training staff. A possible forwad position behind Evanilson would make sense, whether left or right. Thanks to the recruitment dept for their hard work in getting the deal over the line.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says the video assistant referee (VAR) was correct to step in for Bournemouth's penalty at Brighton on 19 January.

Amine Adli went to ground after trying to go past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the 27th minute.

Referee Paul Tierney booked Adli for simulation but the VAR, Jarred Gillett, said there had been contact by the keeper on the Morocco international.

After visiting the pitchside monitor Tierney changed his decision to a spot-kick, which was scored by Marcus Tavernier.

Charalampos Kostoulas rescued a 1-1 draw for Brighton in added time.

"For me it's not a penalty, but we have to accept people make mistakes and now we go on," said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler after the game.

"Maybe a little bit of contact maybe but for me it's not a foul."

But the five members of the KMI Panel unanimously backed the VAR, saying Verbruggen "clearly makes high contact on Adli's leg".

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Luis Henrique.

The 24-year-old's availability came up during talks to sign forward Rayan from Vasco da Gama this week.

There remains some uncertainty whether the move happens amid competition from other clubs and with the Cherries having already completed three deals in January, so under less pressure to agree terms.

Henrique has made 17 appearances for Inter Milan so far this season after joining the club from Marseille last year.

He has also played four times in this season's Champions League, including in their recent 3-1 defeat by Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Amid the excitement generated by Bournemouth's signing of Brazilian forward Rayan on Tuesday, there may soon be another new signing locked in for a move to Vitality Stadium.

President of football operations Tiago Pinto confirmed in his programme notes for Saturday's thrilling win over champions Liverpool – let those last few words sink in – that defender Alex Jimenez's loan move from AC Milan may soon become permanent.

Pinto wrote: "We are close to activating our obligation to sign Alex on a permanent basis.

"Alex is a player who has really grown over the last few months and that has been evident with his Player of the Month award for December, as well as multiple man-of-the-match performances."

It was reported when he joined the Cherries at the end of August that an obligation to buy would be triggered if Jimenez made 18 Premier League starts this season.

The Liverpool game was his 15th and it seems inconceivable, barring injury, that the young Spaniard will not start at least three of their remaining 15 games in 2025-26.

Fan reaction to Jimenez has gone from some initially questioning why the loan signing was needed, with three right-backs already on the books, to lauding the 20-year-old's recent performances and revelling in the passion he has showed.

With boss Andoni Iraola's options limited by a raft of injuries, Jimenez's versatility has shone through as he has lined up in wide midfield roles as well as his regular right-back position.

Playing in midfield against Liverpool, Jimenez opened his goalscoring account for the Cherries and dominated Reds left-back Milos Kerkez to such an extent that he was substituted at half-time against his former side.

And while Jimenez was picked out as a breakthrough player to watch in Pat Nevin's BBC Football Extra newsletter (as highlighted on this page earlier on Wednesday), his form has flown under the radar of much of the national media.

However, those who watch the side regularly will feel that Bournemouth have quietly unearthed another star.

Brazilian football journalist Thiago Rabelo spoke to Jordan Clark to give his insight on the Cherries' new teenage winger Rayan.

Bournemouth signed the 19-year-old from Vasco da Gama for an initial £24.7m - plus £5.6m in potential add-ons - on a five-and-a-half year deal.

Rabelo said: "Rayan is one of the most promising players of the Brazilian generation.

"I have no doubt he will cost more than £50-60m in two years."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

If I had a favourite breakthrough player of the month I would have to go for Alex Jimenez at Bournemouth.

The young Spaniard has had a nomadic career via Real Madrid and AC Milan but the 20-year-old has finally found his feet.

‌Against Brighton during the week, he was my man of the match and scored against Liverpool during another fearless eye-catching display.

‌Bournemouth fans already know but very soon I suspect everyone else will be super impressed by the classy full-back-midfielder-winger.

He is a special talent currently flowering before our eyes. Watch him!

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

New Bournemouth signing Rayan says he hopes to "give the fans a lot of joy" after completing his move from Vasco de Gama.

The 19-year-old forward has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club for an initial £24.7m with a further £5.6m in potential add-ons.

"Rayan is a player we have followed closely and who has already shown impressive consistency and maturity for his age," said Cherries president of football operations Tiago Pinto.

"We believe he has enormous potential, and Bournemouth is the right environment for him to continue his development and make an impact.

"I'm pleased that he chose our project as the one he committed to and we're very excited to have him as part of our team, as we continue to reinvest in the squad."

Rayan scored 20 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions for Vasco da Gama during a breakout 2025, and has scored twice for Brazil's under-20 side after previously scoring eight in 14 games for the under-17s.

"I am very happy and very honoured to be here, especially with the sporting project they developed for me," he said on the move.

"I'm extremely happy. It's a club that develops a lot of talents, so I'm very happy to be here and hope to give the fans a lot of joy."

Cherries fans, what do you make of the signing? And where will Rayan fit into Andoni Iraola's attack?

Let us know here.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth's latest signing Christos Mandas has said there "feels like a magical atmosphere between the players and the fans" at the club.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper has joined the Cherries, initially on loan for the rest of the season, from Lazio for a 1.5m euros (£1.3m) loan fee and have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £16m.

If they opt out of the permanent deal, they will need to pay an extra £860,000.

"It's an amazing feeling to be a part of this club. I feel so proud. It's a dream for me to come here and I'm really, really happy," Mandas, who has two caps for Greece, told Bournemouth club media.

"From the start, when I knew Bournemouth were interested, I knew that I wanted to come here.

"I like the way the team plays, so it is the right move for me to come here."

Mandas has made 33 appearances for Lazio since joining in 2023, but had only made one start in the Coppa Italia this season.

Bournemouth's head of football operations, Tiago Pinto, added: "We're excited about the impact he can make as he brings a sense of maturity and composure, while also continuing his development as a player."

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth have found a way to end their rotten winless period by now winning two of their past three games, against a couple of the so-called 'big six' in Tottenham and Liverpool.

So, can Andoni Iraloa's men have a better second half of the season than the first?

It's something they rarely do, and something that Iraola has in fact never managed as a head coach. While he struggled for a win after his arrival on the south coast in 2023, the Cherries still managed 25 points in the first half of that season, with only 23 in the second.

Their last campaign also saw a slight drop-off at the turn of the year, as, despite managing an impressive 30 points at the halfway stage, garnering 26 in the second half meant that Bournemouth fans had to say goodbye to any European hopes.

The difference may only seem minimal, but maybe Iraola's high-energy and aggressive approach is always likely to result in fatigue, injuries and an inevitable drop off?

It's certainly a theme that the gaffer would like to put an end to, with all three of his seasons at Rayo Vallecano also showing the same patterns, as did his short spells with Mirandes and AEK Larnaca respectively.

Compounding this issue is the big loss of our top scorer and key man Antoine Semenyo this month, so you would be fair in thinking it could well repeat itself.

But, Cherries fans may want to think twice this time around as, despite Antoine's departure, the club have recruited and look set to sign more this window, plus will be hopeful that some crucial players return from injury.

Ending this particular narrative may be a challenge, but it's certainly one that both Andoni and Bournemouth will fancy themselves achieving.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Nigel: The Cherries had to dig deep for that win. They seem to find something extra when the chips are down - injuries and player departures working against them. The fact that Andoni Iraola chose to bring on a striker in the last few minutes, when most managers would try and protect the draw, sums up the ethos of this team.

Malcolm: This result has been coming. Recent performances have been solid and decided by fine margins. We don't complain about injuries, we just get on with the job with what we have. A brilliant team performance to a man. Happy days!

Mark: Absolutely superb siege mentally and some outstanding performers bearing in mind we have eight first team players out injured. Never say die attitude and the passion to play for the team and manager stands out.

Clive: A brilliant performance by an under strength team that never give up. Players like James Hill and Alex Jimenez have shone when called in and Smudge played a good 90 minutes.

Charl: Super performance from the whole team. Marcos Senesi was outstanding, alongside Adrien Truffert and Lewis Cook. We still wasted too many chances, and our corners need a total rethink, but we played without fear. Excellent so more of that please.

Liverpool fans

Tim: We are a bang average side, which even the most loyal fan must admit. Even the mighty Virgil van Dijk is showing his weaknesses. Without Hugo Ekitike up front we look toothless. He looks some player, though. Credit to Bournemouth for going for the win. After all that money we spent it is a case of going backwards to go forwards, but we need Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk replacements.

Simon: Same old, same old. Lots of possession but little end product. I don't understand why Salah never gets substituted when he's doing nothing? I can't see us finishing top four unless there's a massive improvement.

Anthony: Liverpool looked leggy and predictable. Slow in build-up and no willing runners into the box. Just a poor all round performance. Talk of tired players from a manager that consistently plays the same players is ironic. The board now either backs the manager to save the season in the cups, or pulls the trigger and replaces him (which I don't think should happen).

Mo: Poor defending again and little penetration from the forwards. Where has Salah's eye for goal gone? First half, he is in an ideal position to score by racing towards goal but he passes into the crowd of defenders. Afterwards, it's just excuses from Slot and Virgil. Playing like this we will be lucky to qualify for Champions League.

Darren: It's been the same story all season. Look at the stats - every game the other team covers more ground and works harder! And they are conceding soft goal after soft goal. If nothing is changing then Slot is responsible for that and needs to go now!

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth winger Amine Adli said scoring the 95th minute winner against Liverpool "was just magic" because of the "sensational" celebrations that followed with the fans.

After a goalmouth scramble, Adli's finish sent the home fans wild despite it being checked by video assistant referee (VAR) for a possible foul in the build-up.

Once it was cleared, goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic ran to the sidelines to celebrate with the dugout and there was delirium all around the Vitality Stadium.

"I'm very happy," Adli told BBC Radio Solent. "I play football for moments like this.

"I'm a very emotional player on the pitch and I always give 100 per cent, so I like seeing other people happy around me.

"I just tried to kick the ball into the goal, I don't know where I was trying to even shoot! It was so tight [the angle] and the ball was bouncing everywhere.

"I could see it was going in and then it was just a celebration for us because everyone was so happy. It was just magic.

"The crowd wanted to come on the pitch! It was just amazing, this is why I play football. Sensational.

"The three points are massive for where we are in the table and hopefully, it can be a switch for our season that allows us to get more confidence."

Listen to Adli's full interview on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth are close to completing the signing of Vasco da Gama's Brazilian forward Rayan, 19, on a permanent deal. (Athletic), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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