Fulham leapfrogged Bournemouth in a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage, as well as in the Premier League table where they now sit 12th, on Saturday.
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The Cottagers (29th points) are now unbeaten in their last three PL outings (1W-2D-0L) following a terrible slide which saw them lose four of five and score just one goal between Dec. 16 and Jan. 13. Bournemouth (27 points) are now winless in their last five PL games, though they remain in the exact same spot in the table, 13th, as before.
Fulham went straight onto the front foot and scored the opening goal after just six minutes. Lewis Cook slipped as he collected a cross into the penalty area, putting the ball on a silver platter for Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who pounced and fired inside the far post for 1-0.
Bournemouth looked like they might make it to halftime only 1-0 down, but Fulham didn’t relent and got their second not long before the break. Willian floated a cross from the left wing to the back post, where De Cordova-Reid headed the ball down and into the path of Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazilian slipped in front of his marker and touched it home from close range to double Fulham’s lead.
Each side grabbed a goal shortly after halftime, with Marcos Senesi corralling a corner kick that wasn’t fully cleared, turning and firing through a sea of bodies to make it 2-1 in the 50th minute. That scoreline lasted all of two minutes, until Willian served up a tasty cross over top of the Bournemouth defense and dropped the ball on Muniz’s foot at the doorstep.
Reasons for both sides to be encouraged
Fulham will clearly be over the moon to score three goals and take three points in a highly efficient performance, but Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will be encouraged by the whole of his side’s performance as well. The Cherries turned an equal-share 50 percent of possession into 25 shots (only four on target) and generated 2.38 xG on the back of taking the game’s final 13 shots. On the flip side, Bernd Leno only had to make two saves during that stretch, as his defenders blocked eight of the other 11 attempts.
What’s next?
Fulham will be back in action next Saturday (10 am ET), when Aston Villa visit Craven Cottage. Bournemouth will head to the northeast to take on Newcastle at the same time.
Player ratings - Fulham vs Bournemouth
Fulham vs Bournemouth, final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (6'), Rodrigo Muniz (36', 52'), Marcos Senesi (50')
6th minute - GOAL - Bobby De Cordova-Reid smashes home after Lewis Cook slips
36th minute - GOAL - Rodrigo Muniz sneaks in and applies a deft touch for 2-0
50th minute - GOAL - Marcos Senesi turns and fires an uncleared corner kick
52nd minute - GOAL - Willian crosses, Muniz finishes to immediately restore two-goal lead
Fulham vs Bournemouth: How to watch, live stream link, start time
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Stream: Premier League on Peacock
Fulham starting lineup
Leno — Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson — Palhinha, Cairney, Pereira — De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Muniz
Bournemouth starting lineup
Neto — Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly — Christie, Cook, Scott — Tavernier, Sinisterra, Solanke
Fulham team news, injuries
OUT: Raul Jimenez (thigh), Issa Diop (hamstring), Kenny Tete (achilles), Calvin Bassey (international duty), Alex Iwobi (international duty), Fode Ballo-Toure (international duty)
Bournemouth team news, injuries
OUT: Max Aarons (thigh), Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), James Hill (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Philip Billing (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Hamed Traore (illness)
