Iraola: Victory over Fulham came at ´perfect moment´ for Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola felt victory got here on the “excellent second” for Bournemouth, as they boosted their European hopes with a 1-0 win over Fulham.

The Cherries ended a run of six successive Premier League video games and not using a win, as Antoine Semenyo’s early strike secured all three factors on the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth subsequently changed Fulham in eighth place by way of a superior aim distinction, and moved inside six factors of Aston Villa in seventh with six video games remaining.

Iraola’s facet had been in competition for the Champions League locations till their hunch in type, however the head coach was thrilled by his gamers’ response.

“Very, more than happy with the efficiency,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “I feel we wanted this efficiency, defending our personal field effectively, the clearances, the blocks, the fundamentals, the set-plays.

“To complete with a clear sheet is so invaluable as a result of, usually, after we create possibilities, we rating targets. Defensively is the place now we have lacked one thing in current video games, and at the moment we had been superb.

“This win comes on the excellent second for us. Subsequent week, now we have one other of those video games towards Crystal Palace [on Saturday]. Like Fulham, they’re taking part in very effectively, so let’s get better effectively and arrive in a great spot.

“The standings have been actually shut in the previous few months, so each result’s going to be key.”

Semenyo, who scored his eighth Premier League aim of the season, believes Bournemouth are deserving of a spot in Europe subsequent season, and highlighted the significance of the victory.

“The win was positively very important for us,” he stated. “The supervisor has been saying all week that it’s a make-or-break sport for us.

“We got here into the sport wanting to present our all, and you can see on the finish – within the celebrations – that it meant rather a lot. Glad to get the three factors. It has been a tricky couple of weeks, however it’s good to be again on the board.

“All season lengthy, now we have been grinding and beating the highest six groups. This little section we’re going by means of, shedding and drawing, each staff goes by means of that, however that’s the reason this win is so essential.

“I really feel like what now we have accomplished this yr, we do positively deserve [to be in] the European locations.”

We’ve now equalled our all-time @premierleague factors report

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— AFC Bournemouth(@afcbournemouth) April 14, 2025

In the meantime, Fulham suffered their third successive away defeat, whereas failing to attain on the highway for less than the second time this season.

Head coach Marco Silva felt his facet “threw every part away” following their lacklustre begin to the competition, which noticed them fall behind after simply 53 seconds.

“Within the first minute, we conceded a very sloppy aim, however we had 94 minutes extra to play and alter it,” he instructed Sky Sports activities.

“We knew within the first minutes, it was essential to take the fitting choices, easy choices. We threw every part away with our first 25 minutes.

“The response after that was good, and we had possibilities to equalise. The second half, we managed the sport and pushed them again.

“You must have the standard and, generally, the persistence to interrupt them down and handle moments and one-on-one conditions. Typically, you want inspiration to interrupt down these kind of groups.

The Cottagers have now alternated between victory and defeat of their final eight Premier League video games, and Bernd Leno is aware of they have to discover consistency to face any likelihood to making sure a return to continental soccer subsequent time period.

“It’s our fault we misplaced at the moment,” he stated. “The primary 20 minutes, we weren’t on level or at our stage. We had been fortunate it was simply 1-0. Within the second half, we tried every part and had been significantly better, however Bournemouth defended effectively.

“We had loads of possibilities, a few headers, harmful crosses, however ultimately, the final share was lacking.

“It’s been an exquisite season, we’re nonetheless in a great place and in good second, even with defeat at the moment. We’re nonetheless in contact to go to Europe. That claims every part. All our video games are very tight.

“If we will get extra consistency and get a profitable streak then we, for positive, go to Europe. However that’s the Premier League, it’s all about element and margins.”