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

[ad_1] Andoni Iraola felt victory got here on the “good 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 purpose distinction, and moved inside six factors of Aston Villa in seventh with six video games remaining.

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

“Very, very happy with the efficiency,” he advised Sky Sports activities. “I feel we would have liked this efficiency, defending our personal field nicely, the clearances, the blocks, the fundamentals, the set-plays.

“To complete with a clear sheet is so useful as a result of, usually, once we create possibilities, we rating objectives. Defensively is the place now we have lacked one thing in latest video games, and at this time we had been superb.

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

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

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

“The win was undoubtedly important for us,” he stated. “The supervisor has been saying all week that it's a make-or-break recreation for us.

“We got here into the sport wanting to provide our all, and you could possibly see on the finish – within the celebrations – that it meant loads. 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 group goes by means of that, however that's the reason this win is so necessary.

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

We now have now equalled our all-time @premierleague factors report

We maintain movingpic.twitter.com/F5mN9ZG7VA

— 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 thing away” following their lacklustre begin to the competition, which noticed them fall behind after simply 53 seconds.

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

“We knew within the first minutes, it was necessary to take the proper choices, easy choices. We threw every thing 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.

“It's important to have the standard and, generally, the endurance to interrupt them down and handle moments and one-on-one conditions. Typically, you want inspiration to interrupt down these kinds 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 probability to making sure a return to continental soccer subsequent time period.

“It’s our fault we misplaced at this time,” 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 thing and had been a lot better, however Bournemouth defended nicely.

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

“It’s been a beautiful season, we're nonetheless in a superb place and in good second, even with defeat at this time. We're nonetheless in contact to go to Europe. That claims every thing. 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.”