Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Junior Stanislas proved Everton’s bogeyman for the second season running as his stunning goal earned Bournemouth a 1-0 Premier League win at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The former West Ham United winger had netted a 98th-minute goal to earn Bournemouth a 3-3 draw in this fixture last season and he proved the difference again with a fine long-range strike in the first half.
His goal allowed Bournemouth to bounce back from their League Cup elimination at the hands of second-tier Preston North End in mid-week as Eddie Howe’s side registered only a second win of the season.
Victory would have given Ronald Koeman’s Everton — knocked out of the League Cup by Norwich City — their best start to a league season since 1969, when they finished the campaign as champions.
But instead they fell to defeat for the first time in the league this term, which saw them slip to fourth place in the table, five points below leaders Manchester City.
The two teams had played out a thrilling encounter last November and this game began in no less frenetic fashion.
Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, deputising for Joshua King, headed just wide from a Charlie Daniels cross inside the first minute.
Romelu Lukaku, who started for Everton after overcoming a toe problem, drew a full-stretch save from Artur Boruc with a downward header from Ross Barkley’s free-kick.
Loanee Jack Wilshere went close to a first Bournemouth goal with a shot that flicked off Seamus Coleman and hit the bar, while Harry Arter flashed a shot a fraction wide of the Everton goal.
Bournemouth were looking the more threatening team, with Jordon Ibe’s pace causing particular problems, and they took a 23rd-minute lead when Stanislas found the top corner with a 25-yard screamer.
Everton manager Koeman made two midfield changes early in the second half, with Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu entering the fray in place of Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas.
But Bournemouth held them at bay with relative ease, Bolasie firing a shot over the top and substitute Enner Valencia kneeing wide late on with the few opportunities the visitors created.
