Historically, Bournemouth away has been a symbol of turbulence. Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche can both thank the Vitality for its part in their respective sackings. Everton had never won a league match at this ground, and with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane unavailable, this record threatened to continue as David Moyes was forced to reshuffle his eleven after a worrying performance on Saturday. However, the Cherries were winless in four, giving the Blues some hope.
Everton looked good in the early exchanges, appearing much more disciplined than in their previous thumping. Tim Iroegbunam – heavily criticised for his 45-minute cameo on Saturday – looked to bounce back by imposing himself in the middle of the park. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was energetic in a deeper role, and Jake O’Brien won every ball that flew his way.
In the 23rd minute, a cross from a deep free kick dropped to the feet of Bournemouth danger man Antoine Semenyo, who lashed the ball towards Jordan Pickford. The goalkeeper was able to deny the hosts an opening goal. VAR closely inspected a potential handball by O’Brien in the build-up, as the ball scratched his arm as he was pushed.
Despite a positive start, neither Everton nor Bournemouth were able to carve out any real opportunities of note until a flurry of James Garner corner kicks almost sent the Toffees into the break a goal to the good. The home side somehow survived, as corners two and three saw the ball hit the woodwork — Thierno Barry unlucky with the last as it rebounded off the young Frenchman and onto the post. Junior Kroupi believed he had snatched a late goal before the break as he poked the ball home in front of Pickford, only for the forward to be standing in an offside position.
Moyes could be pleased with what he saw in the first 45, however he needed a better final ball if his team were to return to Merseyside with all three points. Dewsbury-Hall and Carlos Alcaraz looked lively after the restart, and both combined to set Barry free in the 53rd minute. The former Villarreal man finally broke his drought of not attempting a shot on target since arriving but still failed to hit the back of the net. His attempted chip was saved as the goalkeeper stood tall to deny.
Evanilson and co. were brought on by Iraola to bring fresh impetus to the game, and the Brazilian’s clever flick on to Semenyo allowed the Ghanaian to strike, only for the ball to be stopped in its tracks by the palms of England’s No. 1. With the match in the balance, Everton needed a hero. Jack Grealish’s criticism this campaign has been his unwillingness to shoot, but the winger let rip on the edge of the box in the 78th minute and raced towards the delirious visiting crowd as his deflected effort spun towards the bottom-right corner. Despite being scruffy at best, the manner of his second goal of the season did nothing to stop him kissing the badge and sending the Blues home happy.
Illiman Ndiaye threatened to seal the deal, but his attempt was saved after good work by Grealish only minutes after his goal. However, one was enough as the defence stayed firm for the remaining eleven minutes. As previous visits to the ground had dire consequences for others, Moyes’s trip down south ended with hope for a brighter future.
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