Graham Pearcey

Date: 20 December 2025

It’s heart-breaking to lose two points in the 90th minute, but to be honest a draw was probably a fair result today.

The atmosphere was somewhat subdued for this game – in part, because Burnley brought the fewest away supporters I’ve seen at a Premier League game. On the home side, Bournemouth’s latest seven results had been three draws and four defeats – no win since October – and today’s game never looked as though it was likely to improve our fortunes.

In a dull (goalless) first half Bournemouth’s best scoring chances fell to Brooks and Semenyo. But the only player to get the ball in the net was our former player Jaidon Anthony – and his effort was ruled (after a lengthy VAR check) offside. (By the way, I was pleased that when Anthony was subbed in the second half he received a great ovation from the home fans – not only clapping but singing his name.)

Brooks had another good scoring opportunity early in the second half, before Iraola started making changes. Kroupi and Unal came on for Kluivert and Evanilson. Soon after that, Semenyo scored a great goal from distance. 1-0.

Brooks’ replacement with Christie resulted in a reshuffle: Tavernier moving to the wide right position whilst Christie settled in to the right of Cook. More substitutions were made late on.

But, as already mentioned, Burnley equalised in the 90th minute. A corner kick was taken short but, in a clearly rehearsed set piece, the ball flew over to Burnley’s Broja, who headed home from close range. 1-1.

The team lined up as follows at the start of the game:

Petrovic;
Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert;
Tavernier, Cook;
Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo;
Evanilson

By the end the line-up was:

Petrovic;
Cook, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert;
Scott, Christie;
Adli, Kroupi, Semenyo;
Unal

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