Bournemouth moved to sixth place with a 3-0 home win against Crystal Palace, moving one step closer to winning European football for the first time in the club’s history.
The Cherries got off to a perfect start in the 10th minute when former player Jefferson Lerma guided Evanilsson’s header over the line, but Eli Junior Crupi had a chance to double their advantage with a controversial penalty just after the half-hour mark.
Dean Henderson was adjudged to have caught Marcos Senesi in the box despite minimal contact after he clawed to pick up the ball that Senesi had dropped while going for a corner kick.
“He dropped the ball, but he didn’t put his arm out (to trip Senesi),” Murray said on Sky Sports. I think it’s very soft.
After an on-field decision was confirmed by VAR, Crupi converted the spot-kick into the bottom left corner, leaving the 19-year-old striker level with Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane for the most goals scored by a teenager in his debut season in the top flight (12).
Palace manager Oliver Glasner made five changes to the team that beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the Conference League semi-final first leg three days ago, but he quickly called on Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton and Ismaria Sarr during the break to accommodate the changes.
The changes improved Palace, who looked good throughout with Sarr hitting the post late on, but Rayan for the hosts sealed all three points with a third goal with 12 minutes remaining.
The Cherries have now extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 15 games, the longest of any of Europe’s top five leagues, and hold a one-point advantage over seventh-placed Brentford with three games remaining.
Meanwhile, Palace’s full attention is on Thursday’s semi-final second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, with Glasner looking to add to his trophy collection before leaving the club when his contract expires this summer.
Iraora: We took control of the Palace.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports:
“We dominated the game, especially in the first half.In the second half, they came on as substitutes and brought in good players, but we controlled the second half.
“I’m really happy. The players today showed they want to get something.
“The players have always found a way to win games and get something out of it (during the 15-game stretch). We want to go all the way. We’re in a good position.”
“We have past experience. They know that we need more effort and do not give anything to the opponent. We are improving in important areas of the season.”
“We are in a great position, but we are not there yet. Let’s seize this opportunity and try to play in Europe next season.”
Glasner: The tank was empty.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told Sky Sports.
“The tank was empty today. The players worked hard and we were much better in the second half. It was a level game.”
“There was too much going on in the first half. We couldn’t turn it around, but the players did their best.
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Oliver Glasner said his Crystal Palace team lacked energy after their Europa Conference League semi-final victory over Shakhtar Donetsk and were punished by Bournemouth for it.
“It’s no one’s fault for the simple mistakes we made, we were better in the second half.
“The message was that we weren’t at our best in the first half. We had to show in the second half that we can do more. We were more direct and took our chances.
“The overall concentration today was not at Premier League level, they were much better than us today.
“There were too many mistakes today. We have to accept that. Now we just have to recover and prepare for Thursday. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history.”
Both teams had Europe in mind, and the results were as expected.
Patrick Lowe of Sky Sports:
Today’s result at the Vitality Stadium was one that fans and neutrals alike could have noticed from a mile away.
Bournemouth had everything to play for. The Cherries secured their seventh win, extending their winning streak to 15 games and securing European football rights for the first time in their history.
Palace, on the other hand, are languishing in 14th place and their priority for the rest of the season is in the Conference League. Oliver Glasner has added the FA Cup and Community Shield to his trophy cabinet at Selhurst Park, and European silverware would be the perfect parting gift before he departs this summer.
“The tank was empty,” as Glasner put it, and it had been that way from the beginning. Three days after taking the lead against Shakhtar Donetsk with a 3-1 win over Poland, they made five changes with an eye on Thursday’s second leg, resulting in a disjointed and lukewarm match.
Bournemouth dominated their opponents and picked up the all-important three points. As for Palace, it’s not a defeat that either the coaching staff or the fans would consider.
Bournemouth win 3 points with 3 goals!
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Bournemouth take the lead as Jefferson Lerma’s own goal adds to the visitors’ set-piece struggles.
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Crupi converted the penalty after Dean Henderson brought down Marcos Senesi.
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Ryan latched on to David Brooks’ pass and fired home to seal Bournemouth’s victory.
