Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 12:34 4 May
12:34 4 May
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth - set-pieces keypublished at 20:24 3 May
20:24 3 May
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth secured a first-ever win at Arsenal to also complete the double over the Gunners and keep alive their hopes of playing European football next season.
It had, however, looked like the result would be defined by their missed chances as they missed a couple of big opportunities in the first half.
But ultimately Andoni Iraola's use of substitutions and clever play from set-pieces proved key.
Their equaliser came from a long throw by Antoine Semenyo. who found Dean Huijsen inside the box and the defender headed home.
The winner came from a corner, flicked on to the back post where Evanilson bundled in.
It marked the first time Arsenal had conceded two goals from set-piece situations in the same Premier League game since December 2023.
Set pieces made the difference in a close game - Iraolapublished at 20:15 3 May
20:15 3 May
Image source, Getty Images
Andoni Iraola spoke to Sky Sports after Bournemouth's victory against Arsenal: "I liked the game overall. I think we had chances. They scored but we played well. The key was the set plays in the second half. In the end in these close games to make the difference with the set plays was the key to take the three points.
On staying patient: "I think we have been at half time talking about a good first half. They [Arsenal] are going to have chances but we were playing well, having a lot of the ball, taking good positions. It was a matter of doing the same thing, pushing a bit more, and I think the subs also helped us. Antoine [Semenyo] coming from the bench was a good spark at that moment when both teams were tired.
On Semenyo's long throws: "Yes we hardly score any, that's the first one. We conceded two or three this season. We have a couple of players who can put in dangerous throws. Today [the throw] was longer than I expected, but it's a nice moment to score this type of goal."
On goalscorer Dean Huijsen: "I think he is playing very well. Even in this scenario being on the ball he was confident. It's dfficult to defend everything. I think it's the third goal he's scored on set plays, he's our biggest threat there and he's helping us a lot."
On getting three points: "I think we needed this one because we know the schedule we have. Arsenal, Villa, City, you have to get points where you don't expect. We missed a few chances recently and we needed it this time to go to our side."
Did you know?published at 19:45 3 May
19:45 3 May
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Bournemouth have completed the league double over Arsenal, with today the first time they've ever avoided defeat away against the Gunners in all competitions (L8).
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth - send us your thoughtspublished at 19:30 3 May
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Bournemouthpublished at 11:06 3 May
11:06 3 May
We know how dangerous Bournemouth are because they beat Arsenal in October, and if Mikel Arteta rests players then this game becomes even harder for the Gunners.
It is a tricky situation for Arteta, because he will want to head to Paris St-Germain for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with a bit of momentum, but he has got to balance that with the risk of injury to his key players.
Bournemouth's form has improved of late, and the circumstances mean they definitely have a decent chance of doing the double over Arsenal this season.
This all boils down to what the Arsenal team is, so it is difficult to make a call without knowing that, but they are at home and even if they are not at full strength then I can still see them getting a draw.
Only Mohamed Salah (120) has had more shots than Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (118) in the Premier League this season.
However, Semenyo has the fifth-lowest conversion rate of anyone with 50-plus shots this term (7.6%).
Iraola on Evanilson's red card, VAR and Arsenalpublished at 10:36 2 May
10:36 2 May
Sean Byrne BBC Sport researcher
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 17:30).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no fresh injury concerns, but Luis Sinisterra remains unavailable.
On Evanilson's red card against Manchester United being overturned on appeal: "I haven't asked for any explanation, and no one has called me to explain how the process has gone. Obviously, something hasn't worked well. The VAR referees are becoming more important than the actual referees, and I think that is very dangerous."
On how many points he believes referee decisions have cost Bournemouth this season: "You have to look at the stats. The VAR interventions for us and for the opposition during the season. The season is very long, and I don't think we've been very lucky during the season with these decisions. It's something we cannot control but it effects us."
On Evanilson now being available after his suspension was lifted: "Obviously you prefer to have Evanilson, not just for this game but the next two. But also there is the part where what I thought is now confirmed. It's a strange feeling, now we have to focus on the game tomorrow knowing he's available which is better, but it doesn't change the decision of the referee."
On if they have the hardest final four games out of those chasing Europe: "Probably, yes. Man City and Aston Villa are fighting for Champions League, even Arsenal isn't 100%. It's difficult to play these teams at the end of the season when they are very close to achieving important things, but we have to face it in the same way."
On taking points off 'big teams' this season: "I think in the past we were playing good against these teams but not getting the results. Especially the result against Arsenal, it made us believe. We have to be very good, but we've shown all this season that we can beat the good teams."
On Arsenal: "We have to respect Arsenal knowing they have been better then us over the season, but maybe over 90 minutes we can definitely beat them."
Gossip: Kepa eyed by Real Madridpublished at 08:01 2 May
08:01 2 May
Newcastle will not enter a summer-long pursuit of Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, 20, after learning from last year's failed attempts to sign 24-year-old England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. (i paper, external)
Real Madrid are happy for Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, 26, to leave the club this season, with Chelsea's 30-year-old Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga, currently on loan at Bournemouth, being considered as a replacement. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish, external)
'No league points awarded for apologies'published at 14:58 30 April
14:58 30 April
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth will welcome the news announced on Wednesday morning that Evanilson's red card against Manchester United on Sunday has been rescinded, and that the Cherries will now not see their main striker suspended for three of their four remaining games.
The decision did not come as a surprise, given the FA's decision to overturn a red card shown to United captain Bruno Fernandes in similar circumstances when he slipped while attempting a tackle against Tottenham on 29 September.
The Cherries had been leading 1-0 when Evanilson was sent off after the video assistant referee (VAR) called on-field official Peter Bankes (who had shown the Brazilian a yellow card) to the replay screen.
It is impossible to determine hypothetical scenarios without a small degree of conjecture.
However, it is not difficult to build a persuasive case suggesting that, if what the authorities now concede was the wrong decision had not been made, and the home side had retained 11 men on the field for the final 20 minutes, based on the balance of play for the first 70 minutes Bournemouth would have been far less likely to be clinging on to defend a narrow lead, and ultimately concede deep into stoppage time that was partially added on for the aforementioned – incorrect – VAR review.
My BBC colleague Simon Stone wrote at the time of the Fernandes rescinded red card that the news would be "greeted with a mixture of relief and immense frustration" by United boss Erik ten Hag, whose side were 1-0 down when Fernandes saw red, and eventually lost 3-0. Ten Hag was sacked a few weeks later.
The immediate reaction of Bournemouth's fans on social media has been similar – while relieved to have avoided a lengthy suspension, there is a sense of injustice that for at least the second time this season, an egregious VAR intervention has cost Andoni Iraola's side two points.
Back in August, the Cherries drew 1-1 with Newcastle when a late "goal" by Dango Ouattara was ruled out for what VAR termed a "factual handball" – only for referees' chief Howard Webb to later apologise and say the goal should have stood.
But with no league points awarded for apologies, there will continue to be a sense of frustration around Vitality Stadium after a weekend when stoppage time was not kind to Bournemouth's European hopes – as well as the 96th-minute United equaliser, rivals Fulham and Brighton scored added-time winners to elevate them one point above Iraola's side with four games left.
Iraola 'will want to be the guy to take Bournemouth forward'published at 13:08 30 April
13:08 30 April
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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent podcast Cherries: Unpicked, former Bournemouth Joe Partington says Andoni Iraola will want want to usher the club forward as it progresses on and off the field.
Earlier this week Bournemouth's technical director Simon Francis said he is "confident" of keeping Iraola at the club and Partington believes all the activity behind the scenes will make that more likely even while other clubs ire his work.
"The manager looking to stay is as big of a statement as any of the things he [Francis] said," Partington told Cherries: Unpicked. "The club is only as successful as it is right now off the back of his inclusion.
"Obviously people will look back on what Eddie [Howe] has built and his role within everything that's going on at the moment but Iraola is the guy that is looking after the football club right now.
"As this club progresses into all the infrastructure it's got, into the training ground, into possible European positions - if it's not this year I'm sure the club will now have big eyes on next season - Iraola is going to want to be the guy to do that.
"Hopefully the advances of other clubs around the world at maybe higher levels or higher statuses in of size of clubs aren't enough to prise him away."
Gossip: Liverpool keen on Cherries defensive duopublished at 07:17 30 April
07:17 30 April
Liverpool want Bournemouth defensive duo Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to bolster their squad and help defend their Premier League title. (Mail), external
Are Bournemouth now a 'relative powerhouse in world football'?published at 12:30 29 April
12:30 29 April
Sam Davis Fan writer
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Bournemouth feel like they are a club that are going places, and the end of last week felt very significant for a number of reasons.
American owner Bill Foley came over to open a brand new Performance Centre, which is the new home for the Cherries' first, academy, and women's teams - a beautiful complex which provides a tangible legacy from what we hope will be a long-lasting Premier League era.
Not only that, but he also announced the repurchase of Vitality Stadium, a facility which we have been renting for the last 20 years, since we had to sell it due to financial problems in 2005.
This alone symbolises the incredible journey that the football club has been on, and with plans to expand to 20,000 and possibly higher in the next few years, fans finally feel like things are moving in a positive direction off the pitch, as well as on it.
News of the purchase was relayed to ers before the last Premier League game against Manchester United, and it was an emotional moment to hear the outpouring of joy at how this once bucket-rattling club has overcome its problems to somehow become a relative powerhouse in world football.
Sitting 10th in the league, and with European football a distinct possibility, entering into a match against the Red Devils on Sunday as favourites was something not many Cherries fans would have ever imagined.
Sadly, for us, Andoni Iraola's men dropped points in a match which was riddled with controversy, therefore many home ers left the stadium feeling disappointed. However, in hindsight, to be sitting as a top-half side, with a stadium back under our ownership, and the chance of Conference League football still not out of the realms of possibility, we have to be optimistic for the future.
'It's really special driving in every day' - Francispublished at 16:07 28 April
16:07 28 April
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Bournemouth's technical director Simon Francis believes the Cherries' new state-of-the-art training facilities and stadium are a crucial step in the club's growth.
The south-coast club opened their £32m facility last week and it will be used for their men's, women's and academy teams.
"It's been a real special feeling driving in every day," former Bournemouth defender Francis explained. "I have an office and having the recruitment department with me every day has been great.
"Previously, we had been over at the Pavilion and only dipping in and out to see the staff and the manager because the business side was at the stadium.
"So to be here under one roof at a state-of-the-art facility has been top class. from the players has been amazing. It's been a long time coming.
"Fifteen years ago when I first signed, we were playing at Canford School, trying to find our own kit to wear. I have enjoyed being here since then and the rise.
"It's kind of the icing on the cake to finally be in this place. It's fully deserved for anyone who has been at the club over the years.
"It helps to build a legacy. It's been timely, but we are not stopping yet. I think there's a lot more to come from the football club because this group of players are on a journey and something special is happening."
'We know we can do it - it's on us'published at 13:12 28 April
13:12 28 April
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Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott says the Cherries have got enough in them to secure a European spot.
Both Fulham and Brighton are one point ahead of Bournemouth with four Premier League games remaining.
Scott told BBC Radio Solent after their 1-1 draw with Manchester United: "Just like that it changes. Brighton and Fulham both score in the 90th minute and that fuelled us [on Sunday] I think. We had to come here and we knew we had to get three points. Obviously we didn't manage to do that so it's gutting but we've got enough in us.
"We know we can compete with the top teams in this league. We've got Aston Villa, Man City and Arsenal coming up. We've beat Man City and Arsenal already this season so we know we can do it. Obviously they are tough, hard fixtures, but it's on us.
"We've got to give everything, try and dig away and get those last results to really push us over the edge and get the European spot."
'Ironically the ref got this right'published at 10:43 28 April
10:43 28 April
Media caption,
Match of the Day 2 pundit Danny Murphy says the challenge which Evanilson was sent off for in Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with Manchester United was "completely accidental" and a yellow card was "perfect".
The referee gave a yellow card but it was upgraded to a red following a video assistant referee review.
Murphy said: "That left foot goes from under him on the slip and catches him. The right foot he was going to tackle with doesn't catch him. It's completely accidental so a yellow was perfect."
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given added: "Andoni Iraola was going mental after the game because everyone can see he slips into the tackle - he wasn't trying to endanger anyone. He slipped over and a yellow card would be the right decision. I think they should appeal it and I think they'll get let off."
Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:28 28 April
Matt: A perfectly good game of football ruined by VAR and the referee. It feels like a walk in history with Fergie time and big club, little club. I thought we were beyond this. A shocking officiating performance. Bournemouth need some depth in their squad though and that back-up goalscorer.
Barry: The draw was a fair result. I will be interested to see how many comments there are from fans of other teams.
Michael: The Bournemouth player never deserved to be sent off - he slipped over. The standard of refereeing throughout was poor and influenced the result in Manchester United's favour. I'm not a Bournemouth fan, but a neutral. This is just another example of poor refereeing.
Dom: With the competition in the Premier League and the expected departures, there is no guarantee we can compete for a European spot again next season, especially given how poor some of the big clubs have been and there being five Champions League spots. Having what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ripped from our hands by VAR - I'm also thinking back to the disallowed handball goal against Nottingham Forest on the first day of the season - is absolutely gut-wrenching.
Man Utd fans
John: It's embarrassing to see United struggle against teams like Bournemouth. They are a team that we should be steamrolling. Top four is a pipe dream for us. Why is Ruben Amorim sticking with systems that do not work?
Derek: United only look like scoring when they have to throw players forward. The gap between defence, midfield and the front line was massive for all of the first half. When we sacrifice a defender to attack, it looks like a proper Man Utd team. Please wake up to this simple fact, Ruben Amorim.
Chris: The team need to start finding consistency in level of performance, and begin managing and controlling games. I am fully behind the coach but his methods and playing style need to be more evident soon to ease the pressure. But for now, bring on Bilbao!
Eric: We were lucky. It's great that Luke Shaw is fit but Alejandro Garnacho, Andre Onana and Mason Mount need to be sold because they didn't impact the game, Onana wasn't focused and he is not alert, Mount didn't do much while Garnacho doesn't run down the wing or take players on. But we also need to stop playing out from defence!
Kevin: Shaw, Mount, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof and company are going to cost Amorim his job and he will deserve it - if for no other reason than him claiming there has been progress under his watch.
Margaret: Not many thoughts. What's going to happen now? Surely this manager cannot remain. The good players that we have will not work with him. There must be a reason for their unwillingness to train properly or something. Maybe the bosses should ask the players that question. There will be no European football next year - how long can you afford to wait before you get the message?