Analysis: Bournemouth inch closer to Europepublished at 16:37 BST 3 May
16:37 BST 3 May
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Sunday's Premier League meeting between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace pitted two managers who will leave their clubs this summer against each other.
And it was Andoni Iraola who emerged as the clear winner against Palace and their manager Oliver Glasner - extending the Cherries' unbeaten run in the top flight to a club record 15 matches.
The comfortable 3-0 home win helped Bournemouth leapfrog Brighton and Brentford to sixth place in the league standings.
A sixth-placed finish would secure a place in next season's Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the Premier League.
Only one team in Premier League history have managed a 15-game unbeaten run and finished outside the top six - Chelsea, who were 10th in 2015-16.
European qualification would be a perfect parting gift for Iraola, who joined the club in 2023 and will leave this summer when his contract expires.
But Bournemouth must extend their remarkable run against fellow European contenders Fulham, title-chasing Manchester City and Nottingham Forest in their final three games to do so.
Bournemouth 3-0 Crystal Palace: What Iraola and Tavernier saidpublished at 16:34 BST 3 May
16:34 BST 3 May
Media caption,
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We dominated the game. Especially in the first half, we played really well. Second half they made some subs, put dangerous players in, but we still controlled the second half. I am really pleased, the players showed they wanted to get something from this season. We are in a good spot but need more points.
"We have the experience from past seasons. It's a nice season, we are doing well, but we need extra, not to give anything to the opposition. In key moments of a season, we are improving in this. These things can make the difference.
"We want to give the players the chance to play in Europe next season. It would be massive."
On Junior Kroupi: "Junior is growing, he is finishing in a good place. I think he is a great finisher. His contact is so clean that you trust him."
Bournemouth captain Marcus Tavernier, speaking to Sky Sports on his side's 15-game unbeaten run: "It's been a long time coming for us. We knew if we started doing what we are able to do, then results would come. It's not down to luck, it's about the hard training we have done."
On the performances of youngsters Junior Kroupi and Rayan: "It's been unbelievable, they are two world-class talents. I don't think they will be at Bournemouth for a long period of time given the quality they have got. It's brilliant to have them on the pitch. As a team, we give the young players the confidence to go out and play with freedom."
On the race to secure European football: "Last season was a tough one to take. We knew three points was important today. We have got three games left to keep the dream alive.
"We want European football. Champions League would be a bonus, but our focus is just to finish as high as we can and take it from there."
Did you know?
Bournemouth have extended their Premier League unbeaten run to 15 games (W7 D8), the longest active streak of any side in the division, and the Cherries' longest ever in the top flight of English football.
In Junior Kroupi and Rayan, Bournemouth are the first side ever to have two teenagers score a goal in back-to-back Premier League games.
Oliver Glasner makes five changes to his Crystal Palace side after their 3-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday night.
Chris Richards, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta move to the bench.
In come Chadi Riad, Justin Devenny, Jefferson Lerma, Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Crystal Palace" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man Utd v Liverpool".
Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace published at 10:02 BST 3 May
10:02 BST 3 May
Bournemouth are unbeaten in 14 league games and have only lost twice at home all season. Their fans must be wondering whether life will be as good when Marco Rose replaces Andoni Iraola next season.
This is probably a good time to play Crystal Palace, whose minds will be on their Europa Conference League semi-final with Shakhtar Donetsk.
It will be close but I am going for Eli Junior Kroupi and co to edge this.
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:12 BST 2 May
13:12 BST 2 May
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, two teams with Europe on their minds, meet at Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
The Andoni Iraola farewell party continues with the Cherries seeking to go unbeaten for a 15th consecutive Premier League match, the longest current such run in the top flight.
They are firmly on course for a European debut next season. Only two teams have had a 14-plus game unbeaten run within a season and finished outside the top six: that was Wimbledon in 1996-97 and Chelsea – who have been linked with a move for Iraola - in 2015-16.
If Bournemouth fans have a complaint, it could be the number of draws – seven in their past 10 league games – with the past five matches at Vitality Stadium ending in a stalemate.
But they will be expecting to keep up their unbeaten run against Palace, who might have one eye on their Conference League semi-final, and who have not beaten Bournemouth in any of their past five Premier League meetings (L2, D3).
Like Bournemouth head coach Iraola, Palace boss Oliver Glasner will also be leaving at the end of the season.
While Iraola's parting gift is set to be getting the Cherries into Europe for the first time, Glasner has moved Palace a step further on and is hoping to bring home major continental silverware for the first time.
The visit to the south coast is sandwiched between the two Conference League semi-final games against Shakhtar Donetsk, with Palace in great shape to progress after winning the away leg 3-1 on Thursday.
It was also a welcome win away from home, after back-to-back defeats on the road, including at Liverpool last weekend, where Palace had more shots and more shots on targets that their hosts but came home without any points in a 3-1 defeat.
In fact, the Eagles have lost seven of their past 13 Premier League away games, as many defeats on the road as in their first 28 matches under Oliver Glasner.
They have mainly defended well at Bournemouth in recent times, keeping a clean sheet in five of their eight Premier League games there.
Even so, the overall head-to-head record has tipped in the Cherries' favour, with Palace failing to win any of their past five matches against them.
Francis to leave Bournemouthpublished at 16:22 BST 1 May
16:22 BST 1 May
Image source, Getty Images
AFC Bournemouth's first-team technical director Simon Francis will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old is set to move to a new job overseas.
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are understood to be amongst the teams interested in appointing the former Cherries defender.
Francis' departure will bring an end to his 15-year association with Bournemouth.
The former defender first joined the club on loan from Charlton in 2011 before making the move permanent in January 2012.
Francis went on to make more than 300 appearances for the club and was a key member of Eddie Howe's squad that gained promotion from League One to the Premier League.
Following his retirement from playing in 2020, Francis joined the recruitment set-up at Vitality Stadium, working under his former team mate Richard Hughes as assistant technical director.
Francis was then promoted to first-team technical director in 2024 when Hughes left for Liverpool.
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Iraola on Kluivert, Europe chase and Crystal Palacepublished at 15:52 BST 1 May
15:52 BST 1 May
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Iraola gave an injury update on his squad as midfielder Justin Kluivert is back with the team after five months out: "It's very positive news for us, Justin is a very important player in our team. He has been training this week, still not fully but at a very good level. Probably Sunday arrives too early for him but I think he will help us in the last games of the season and he will have quality minutes. His knee is responding really well after training."
Iraola added: "The only other one out is Lewis Cook. I hope next week he starts training with us but everyone else is recovered and we hope now with Justin and Lewis everyone is in a good place to help because we will need everything. I hope everyone pushes."
On whether he can take Bournemouth into Europe for the first time in 127 years: "The opportunity is there. I think we are in a very good place but we still need a lot of points. The situation is very tight. If we want to get Europe, we have to win games. We have four chances like the others starting from Sunday against Palace. We don't have an easy game so we will have to earn everything but I think we have shown that we want to take this opportunity and we arrive to this decisive moment in a good place."
On how many points he thinks they need for Europe: "We really don't know. You need a good amount of points in these four games because there are a lot of teams in the fight. Everyone is fighting and has difficult games. We need to win at least two games, maybe three."
On Crystal Palace: "It is very difficult to score against Palace, they defend so well, they are so organised and it is a very well coached team. They know what they are doing and it is difficult to create clear chances against them. Every detail is going to be very important. Normally they start games very well. We also have to start strong."
On fan reaction since he announced his departure: "I have always felt very valued and supported and my interactions are always very positive. I am very thankful because of this."
Four games left - Europe the potential prizepublished at 11:49 BST 30 April
11:49 BST 30 April
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth fans had been slightly waiting on tenterhooks for the scheduling of their final home game to be finalised, before it was announced on Tuesday.
As soon as Manchester City booked their place in the FA Cup final, their match with the Cherries needed to be rearranged and, although it may feel slightly odd to have a final home game of the season as a midweek encounter, it will still leave four clear days between that match on Tuesday 19 May and the season-ending trip to Nottingham Forest.
Indeed, Bournemouth approached the end of the league season in the unusual position whereby four of their last five opponents were involved in three separate cup competitions, with three of those four games requiring a new date.
The events of the dying minutes of their last game, against Leeds, still rankle with supporters, after Evanilson's goal was ruled out when his shoulder was ruled to be offside, before Leeds' equaliser was given despite having an offside player standing in front of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It was a sentiment shared by several Cherries players, judging by their postings on social media after the game.
But every Premier League team will probably have a list of perceived VAR injustices and it will be important for players and fans to put that game behind them as they head into the final four matches, still unbeaten in a league-high 14 games.
Crystal Palace (home), Fulham (away), Manchester City (home) and Nottingham Forest (away). A potential 12 points up for grabs. Europe the potential prize.
Who can honestly say they would not have settled for this position heading into May, after seeing three-quarters of the defence sold last summer and their best attacker in January?
'Iraola will finally get what he deserves' - fans hopeful for Europepublished at 13:26 BST 29 April
13:26 BST 29 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Bournemouth's chances of qualifying for European football this season, with just four fixtures left for Andoni Iraola's side to stake their claim.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Katie: Four cup finals to go! It's ours to lose. The results went our way again over the weekend, so if we keep performing there's no reason why not. What an end to Iraola's reign it would be!
Ross: I'm confident we will qualify for Europe, especially since we should've got three points against Leeds United the other night. We should take three points against Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A) and Nottingham Forest (A). Man City at home is a difficult one, but they have played lots of games so we could maybe take one or all three points. We are in a good position and we should be able to finish eighth at worst, which could still become a European spot. I reckon we could win the Europa Conference League with Marco Rose's European experience and history. Iraola will finally get what he deserves, European football!
Malcolm: Why not be positive? The opportunity is there and Iraola will only focus on the next game, as will the players. A win against Crystal Palace is the next chance to edge towards a piece of history. In Andoni we trust.
Kirsi: Bournemouth have somewhat favourable remaining fixtures. We are also carrying good form in to May. However, our frequent draws have caused some problems. Bournemouth should still be able to snag a spot though, through the potential extra spots, which is lucky.
Terry: It is very possible. We need to keep winning and hope teams around us struggle. I believe in the team and coaches to do it for Iraola and us older supporters. But, if not, we will still be there supporting.
Bournemouth's race for Europe a 'remarkable story' published at 09:36 BST 28 April
09:36 BST 28 April
Sam Davis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Compared to 2009, AFC Bournemouth is very much a very different football club.
Here in 2026, Cherries fans are currently hopeful of claiming a potential European spot in the Premier League come the end of the current season, yet nearly two decades ago it was very different.
Indeed, many of those hardened supporters will be reminiscing today, remembering a gruelling time that felt equally special for totally contrasting reasons.
It was 17 years ago where a 2-1 home win over Grimsby Town salvaged Bournemouth's football league status against all odds - it was simply the greatest of escapes.
The nervous energy was high, but so was the hope surrounding Dean Court before kick off, as the Cherries could secure their safety and keep their place in the football league despite a 17-point deduction.
Coming from behind in the game itself, it was a fairy-tale ending as club legend Steve Fletcher smashed home for the victory, and ultimately survival.
It was an incredible performance from a team full of character, hunger and drive. Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall lead the side like true leaders, sending their lads out for battle - and each and every one of the players and staff will be remembered with great fondness forevermore by all Cherries fans.
Fast forward to now, 17 years on, and the south coast side are in a strong position among the elite fighting for a European spot.
Regardless of whether they achieve it or not, it has been a remarkable story, and it gives hope to clubs who may well be in a difficult place. It can change for the better - and at some speed too - because if this Bournemouth rise was a film, surely it'd be deemed too far-fetched?
But it isn't, the club went from surviving to thriving in 17 roller-coaster years.
Gossip: Cherries consider Burrell movepublished at 08:12 BST 24 April
08:12 BST 24 April
Bournemouth, Wolves and Sunderland are among the clubs interested in signing 25-year-old Queens Park Rangers and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell. (Football Insider)
'Not a difficult decision' to overturn Leeds' equaliser - Iraolapublished at 11:24 BST 23 April
11:24 BST 23 April
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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was adamant that Leeds United's late equaliser should not have stood and it was not a "difficult decision" to overturn the goal for offside.
Sean Longstaff scored in stoppage time to halt the Cherries' momentum and take away their chance of moving into the top six. The decision to grant the goal after Joel Piroe was standing in an offside position was contentious, with both Iraola and Bournemouth attacker David Brooks saying it should not have stood.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after the game, Iraola said: "The keeper watches Longstaff and Piroe's body positions himself on the line of the vision of the ball. He would have saved the goal if that player is not there.
"Here is not subjective. Everyone in every room thinks it makes it more difficult for Petrovic to save that one. Yes, it is offside, and I suppose it's more difficult to call it life.
"All the bench, we were really convinced it was going to be offside. The VAR is watching. It is not even a super difficult decision. They want to make it look like it's a difficult decision. It's not a difficult decision. It affects the keeper, it's offside. It is what it is, and the ball goes in between the view."
Brooks also disputed the decision to allow the equaliser after the game: "We don't usually get highlights straight away but all of us have gone straight in and had a look and the keeper has had to jump and jump over him to see where the ball is. I don't understand why, whether he's going to save it or not is irrelevant. He can't see where the ball is. He can't even make a genuine attempt to even try and save it.
"There's a lot of goals that get disallowed over the course of the season for that and I'm not sure why it's at our ground where we don't get the decision. I think there were a lot of decisions that were on the fence and didn't go our way on any of them."
Chris: Once again we dominated a match, had numerous chances, got no luck from the officials and threw away two points! We should have won by three or four goals. We just cannot kill off teams, it is so frustrating. We should be comfortably in the European places this season but now it will be a scrap. A new striker has to be a priority for us this summer.
Terry: Positives were a great performance again and good goals. Jimenez is awesome, he's like a Duracell bunny and just keeps going. Hill was so unlucky after another solid game. We'll miss Senesi. I'm proud to be a Cherry. Negatives were VAR and officials.
John: I cannot believe that Evanilson's goal was not given, his hand was offside but you can't score with your hand! Also how does that Leeds goal count as the striker is offside and blocking Petrovic? It's madness! Overall another good display from the team.
Scott: The 2-2 draw still doesn't make sense, Bournemouth should've won 3-1 and would've been moved up to sixth place and chance for a European boost.
Andy: VAR again tried hard to ruin the game - ref was third rate at best. Cherries were the best team and result was injustice
Leeds fans
David: The great thing about this Leeds team is they never give up. Maybe we were lucky with the offside at the end, but it was an amazing strike by Sean Longstaff. Bournemouth definitely shaded it, but we showed true Yorkshire grit and resilience.
Jim: A well fought out game between two competitive teams. Leeds battled to the last minute. Delighted for Sean Longstaff, he's fighting hard to get back in the team, and what a great team spirit!
Chris: Leeds keep on improving and it's down to Daniel Farke who's found the way to get the best out of the team - not just with motivation but starting line-ups and earlier substitutions when needed. It's all part of the steep learning curve Leeds have been on in the Premier League. I have no doubt whatsoever Leeds are staying up this year as they'll take more points from the remaining games. The third-from-bottom position will go to the wire I think and Leeds might have a say against West Ham.
Analysis: Late blow for Bournemouth but youngsters shinepublished at 23:10 BST 22 April
23:10 BST 22 April
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With seconds remaining, Bournemouth looked set to be jumping up to sixth and to within four points of Liverpool in the final Champions League spot.
It was all set up for a thrilling end to Andoni Iraola's time in charge and a parting gift - both to the fans and successor Marco Rose - of European football.
Sean Longstaff's late strike doesn't end that dream but dropping two points so late on is undoubtedly a painful blow - even more so given Iraola was adamant that Leeds' Joel Piroe was offside and disturbing the view of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It means a fifth straight home draw in the Premier League, 16 league draws in all and while a 14-game unbeaten run is to be commended, no doubt the thought of what turning a couple of those into wins would mean will have crossed the minds of Iraola and his players.
Rather than outsiders, they might have been right in the thick of the race to reach Europe's premier club competition.
Qualifying for European competition of any kind next season would be a huge achievement for Bournemouth and that goal is still well within reach - especially with talents such as Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan in their ranks.
The two 19-year-olds showed their qualities, Kroupi bursting into life after a quiet night to score the opener and continue his impressive campaign while Rayan was lively off the bench, even before sweeping in the hosts' second goal.
The Brazilian only arrived in January and Kroupi is in his first season with the club, but already there are murmurings of interest from elsewhere.
Bournemouth will argue that a guarantee of regular game time will be more beneficial to them at this stage of their career if it the need to persuade either of them to stay arises, but doing so would be that much easier if they can also offer European football.