Dango Ouattara’s 90th-minute goal gave Bournemouth a deserved share of the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Fulham held leads through Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson, but Evanilson and Ouattara had responses for a Bournemouth side that produced plenty of danger but were often stymied by Bernd Leno.
Bournemouth go sixth with 30 points, five off fourth-place Chelsea, while Fulham are a point back in eighth place.
Two teams who never say die, don’t
Bournemouth and Fulham are both in the thick of the fight for a European place next season, and both Premier League sides are punching about their weight primarily because they never stop punching. Andoni Iraola’s Cherries and Marco Silva’s Cottagers are fit, and send players off the bench with impetus to score goals (They are 1-2 in the Premier League for goals from subs this season). Both teams have some world-class players delivering in their ranks, as Fulham fullback Antonee Robinson and Bournemouth forwards Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson seem destined to live in the transfer rumor mill this year and beyond, while steady eddies like Bernd Leno, Joachim Andersen, Ryan Christie, and Lewis Cook bring cool to these upstart runs. Teams cannot let down for a minute against these two, and the return fixture on April 12 at the Vitality Stadium could have high stakes for 2025-26.
Fulham vs Bournemouth player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Fulham vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Fulham vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Bournemouth host Everton at 10am ET Saturday, a day before Fulham host Ipswich Town at 9am Sunday
How to watch Fulham vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Sunday (December 29)
Venue: Craven Cottage — London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Fulham vs Bournemouth live score: 2-2
Raul Jimenez 40', Evanilson 52', Harry Wilson 73', Dango Ouattara 90'
Fulham vs Bournemouth live updates — By Nick Mendola
Full time — Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth
Dango Ouattara goal — Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth (90th minute)
Semenyo cuts across the box and his attempted-shot deflects away to Dango Ouattara on the right side of the box.
Leno is charging hard and Ouattara plays it perfectly with a little dink over the keeper.
Threats at both ends
It doesn’t feel like the scoring is done here at Craven Cottage.
The chances certainly are not.
Into the 81st minute, tied at one.
Harry Wilson goal! Fulham 2-1 Bournemouth (73rd minute)
Antonee Robinson has the right edge of Bournemouth’s back line so worried about a left-footed cross, that hsi shift to his right catches them off guard.
His chipped, right-footed cross is in front of the back line and Harry Wilson’s header is very good.
He’s earned a goal tonight, his fifth of the PL season, and Robinson has his seventh PL assist this campaign.
Fulham subs
Jimenez and Pereira come off for Rodrigo Muniz and Tom Cairney.
Leno beats Evanilson to breakaway ball
Oh the slimmest of margins.
Evanilson gets behind the Fulham defense and is tracking a long ball but so is Fulham’s keeper, as Leno just slaps the ball before the Brazilian can get a touch the ball to goal.
Bournemouth sub
Dango Ouattara takes the place of David Brooks in the 63rd minute.
Fulham counters well
Kepa Arrrizabalaga again has to be wise when Timothy Castagne picks up a blocked shot and swerves a 20-yard shot toward the Bournemouth goal.
Harry Wilson again dangerous off a Fulham counter attack.
1-1, 58'.
Evanilson goal! Fulham 1-1 Bournemouth (52nd minute)
James Hill sends a long ball from the right flank to the right side of the box.
Evanilson beats his man and launches into an acrobatic volley that gets the ball past Bernd Leno!
1-1.
Halftime — Fulham 1-0 Bournemouth
That’s a tough deficit for Bournemouth to take into the team room, having kept a bit more of the ball and produced so much danger away from home.
The Cherries are out-attempting Fulham 9-4 and have nearly a full xG’s more than the Cottagers.
Red card shout!
Antonee Robinson is felled by a high-boot sliding Ryan Christie, who is shown a yellow card.
VAR is having a look but it’ll stay yellow.
Raul Jimenez goal! Fulham 1-0 Bournemouth (40th minute)
Too easy off a corner kick for Raul Jimenez, who wheels his run free of all markers and has an unbridled look at goal.
The Mexican heads home and Fulham have a pre-half goal.
Action at both ends
Antonee Robinson sweeps a cross that Raul Jimenez nearly volleys, only to see the ball removed from his path by Milos Kerkez.
Bournemouth go the other way, and Evanilson blazes a near-post effort high and wide.
Billing is cautioned for a cynical takedown of Andrea Pereira.
0-0, 39'.
Semenyo stings Leno
Phillip Billing cues up Antoine Semenyo on the left, and the Ghanaian cracks a shot that Leno blocks with his left chest/shoulder.
That slows him for a moment, ouch.
Bournemouth have the ball in the goal off the corner but a tug on Joachim Andersen’s shirt by Semenyo denied Justin Kluivert’s header.
0-0, 32'.
Cherries settle into control
Bournemouth have been the more dangerous side, two extended spells of good play sandwiched around the Wilson chances.
0-0, 20'.
Shots continue but all at the keeper
Wilson has another dig from about 18 yards, but it’s right at Arrizabalaga.
Leno again, then Kepa
David Brooks gets a flubbed clearance and lets fly with a good hit from 16 yards, but Leno stoops and collects it.
At the other end, Harry Wilson gets off a shot against his former club but it causes Kepa Arrizabalaga little more than a leaping catch.
0-0, 10'.
Early corner after Leno bails out back
A poor back pass from the right gives Evanilson a 1v1 with Bernd Leno.
Evanilson’s touch is imperfect and Fulham keeper Bernd Leno slaps it out for a corner, which the Cottagers handle well.
0-0, 5'.
Fulham lineup
Leno, Castagne, Dop, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Pereira, Wilson, Iwobi, Jimenez
Bournemouth lineup
Arrizabalaga, Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabaryni, Hill, Cook, Christie, Brooks, Philip, Semenyo, Evanilson
Fulham vs Bournemouth preview
Fulham host Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on Sunday in what should be a beauty of a game between two teams full of confidence as they continue to punch above their weight.
Marco Silva’s Fulham secured an incredible late comeback 2-1 win at local rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day to secure their first top-flight win at Stamford Bridge since 1964. The Cottagers have so many great midfield and attacking options and are in the top four conversation at the halfway point of the season. Nobody predicted that at the start of the season. What a job Silva is doing.
Bournemouth are having an equally remarkable season as Andoni Iraola’s side are just one point behind Fulham. They drew 0-0 at home with Crystal Palace on Boxing Day as their offense continues to blow hot and cold. When they’re on, Bournemouth are pretty unstoppable with their high-pressing style.
Fulham team news, focus
Silva switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation against Chelsea and it worked a treat. Robinson and Castagne were excellent at wing-back and the central defensive trio of Bassey, Andersen and Diop mopped up everything. Fulham only changed their formation due to midfield injuries and perhaps they’ve stumbled upon something.
OUT: Harrison Reed (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Kenny Tete (knee)| QUESTIONABLE: Emile Smith Rowe (leg), Sander Berge (ankle)
Bournemouth team news, focus
The Cherries have struggled with injuries in recent weeks but squad players are stepping with Enes Unal, Dango Ouattara and Dean Huijsen all impressing after coming into the team. Bournemouth need Evanilson to get back among the goals.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Julian Araujo (thigh), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Adam Smith (muscular), Justin Kluivert (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Luis Sinisterra (hamstring)
Fulham vs Bournemouth prediction
This has the potential to be a fun one in a real back and forth scrap. Go for plenty of excitement and it to end even. Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth.
