Bournemouth end winless wait by beating 10-man Sunderland
Bournemouth finally have a Premier League win to celebrate after beating Sunderland on 18 October.
Marcus Tavernier's diving header made the difference. It came after Sunderland were reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute, a blow they never really recovered from.
The red card set the tone. Referee Craig Pawson sent off Kevin Danso, who is on loan at Sunderland from Tottenham, for denial of a goalscoring opportunity — the offence when a defender stops a clear chance illegally. Evanilson had escaped beyond him and was pulled down as he ran through, according to The Guardian.
That same pair shaped the opening goal. Evanilson could have gone for goal himself. Instead he squared the ball for Tavernier to throw himself at it and head home.
It was a reward for unselfish play. Evanilson, listed as a forward, has become Bournemouth's provider this season, and Tavernier has been their most reliable finisher.
Both managers shuffled their packs. Marco Rose, in charge of Bournemouth, made five changes from the side that beat Sturm Graz at home, bringing in James Hill, Adrien Truffert and Rayan among others. Régis Le Bris, in charge of Sunderland, also made five changes from the Torreense game, with Granit Xhaka restored to the team.
Sunderland arrived in trouble and left in deeper trouble. They sat in the Premier League's bottom three at kick-off. They had not won a league match since August and had lost four in a row. Striker Brian Brobbey missed the trip to Bournemouth after picking up an injury on international duty.
There was change off the pitch too. Majority owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has been placed in charge of day-to-day operations after a boardroom reshuffle.
Bournemouth knew the feeling of letting points slip. They had dropped nine points from winning positions before this match, the kind of record that tests the mood in any ground.
What makes this one stand out is the relief. For Bournemouth supporters, it is the sound of a wait ending. For Sunderland fans, who have watched a promising return to the top flight stall, it is another long journey home wondering where the next win comes from.
