Bournemouth ended a six-game winless streak in the Premier League with a crucial 1-0 home victory against Fulham at the Vitality Stadium, thanks to a first-minute goal from Antoine Semenyo. This early strike not only set the tone for the match but also reignited the Cherries' hopes of qualifying for European competition.

Semenyo's goal came just 53 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a defensive error from Fulham's Antonee Robinson. The quick finish gave Bournemouth a valuable lead, which they managed to protect throughout the match. The victory allowed Bournemouth to leapfrog Fulham into eighth place on goal difference, enhancing their chances of a European spot as the season approaches its conclusion.

Despite the early goal, Bournemouth nearly doubled their lead in the first half when Evanilson struck the crossbar. Fulham, however, had their opportunities to equalize, missing two significant chances before halftime—one from Rodrigo Muniz and another from an unmarked Ryan Sessegnon, who failed to convert a header. Fulham's frustrations were compounded by a late-game mix-up during a triple substitution, where Sessegnon was mistakenly taken off instead of Robinson, causing confusion among the players.

After the match, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of a clean sheet and solid defensive play. He noted that the win came at a perfect moment as they prepare for another challenging match against Crystal Palace. Conversely, Fulham’s head coach Marco Silva lamented the poor start, stating the team needed to make better decisions early on and acknowledging that their first 25 minutes cost them the game.

This win not only boosts Bournemouth’s morale but also levels their highest points tally in the Premier League this season with 48 points, keeping them firmly in the hunt for European qualification. As the season progresses, every point will be crucial for both teams as they navigate tight league standings.