Bournemouth Win in Prague as Milan Lose to Ferencvaros

Bournemouth came from behind to beat Sparta Prague 3-1 away in the Europa League on Thursday, and they are now four wins from four in their first European season. The Guardian reports that the win stretches their winning run to seven matches.

The Europa League is the second-biggest club competition in Europe, behind the Champions League. Its league phase is a single table where every club plays a set group of matches before the knockout rounds begin.

Sparta went in front early through Ebrima Singhateh. The match then swung. Bournemouth's Lewis Cook struck a penalty against the post, and the chance went begging. Sparta's Tobias Guddal was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, which meant a second booking in the same match and an early exit for him.

Tyler Adams equalised for Bournemouth in the 57th minute. Evanilson put them ahead in the 81st, and Rayan added a third to seal it. Ten-man Sparta could not find a way back.

Earlier this autumn, Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz 3-0 on 15 October, then beat AC Milan 3-0 at their own Vitality Stadium a week later. Those two wins set up this trip, and the team has now taken all twelve available points.

In Italy, Ferencvaros won 2-0 at San Siro against Milan. Lenny Joseph scored twice in the second half, and the visitors finished with ten men after Bamidele Yusuf was sent off. Ferencvaros have now won every game they have played in Europe this season.

For Milan, the result is a harder one to shrug off. Their only win so far in this competition came 4-0 at Salzburg on 15 October. At the halfway point of the league phase, they had three points and sat outside the top 24, the places that carry a club into the knockout stage. The schedule gives them little room to recover, and every point from here matters.

Thursday's results are a reminder of how quickly one European campaign can change shape. Bournemouth's unbeaten start is a fresh talking point on the south coast, and Ferencvaros have a good story to tell in Budapest. Milan now have to turn their attention to picking up points quickly.