MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 0 – 2 AFC BOURNEMOUTH

Cherries take the three points at Turf Moor

Burnley took on Andoni Iraola’s AFC Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. However, despite a battling Clarets performance it was the visitors who took the points home to the south coast.

Kompany made three changes from last weekend’s defeat at Crystal Palace with Vitinho, Cullen and Bruun Larsen all named in the starting 11, with midfielder Cullen wearing the captain’s armband for an absent Josh Brownhill who picked up a red last Saturday.

Within seconds of the whistle O’Shea picked up a yellow card while Wilson Odobert gave the home crowd something to cheer about with an early chance. Assignon found the teenager in the box, but his effort was too central, and Neto collected.

Bournemouth were forced into an early change eleven minutes in with Marcos Senesi withdrawn due to what looked like a hamstring injury, with Chris Mepham replacing him.

Despite the positive start it was the visitors who took the lead just 13 minutes in, when Justin Kluivert delivered a composed finish.

Kompany’s men responded well to going behind, with Odobert showing tidy footwork in the box and Vitinho sent a good effort towards goal, but the shot travelled over.

Just over the half hour mark it was Odobert again who came close when his attempt was only inches over, but the home crowd could see the Clarets were giving maximum effort.

A foul by Esteve on Solanke saw the visitors awarded a free-kick but Tavernier’s attempt at goal didn’t trouble Trafford.

Fofana almost brought the Clarets level, but Neto came out well and Bruun Larsen couldn’t convert the rebound. The burst of activity as half-time edged closer saw Semenyo pick up a yellow card for a foul on Bruun Larsen, as he tried to clear the Clarets danger.

Minutes from the half-time whistle Josh Cullen was brought down just outside area by goal scorer Kluivert. Bruun Larsen’s brilliant free-kick was kept out by a fantastic Neto save. A resulting corner saw Charlie Taylor send a great ball in which Vitinho connected well with, his header from close range was only inches from bringing the home side level.

The first half had brought plenty of action and, seconds before the referee blew, Semenyo brought down Esteve but the resulting free-kick was dealt with, as the visitors entered the break with the lead.

Iraola made a change for the second half, with Ryan Christie replaced by Alex Scott, while Burnley remained unchanged.

The home side continued to apply the pressure they’d shown in the first half, as they went on the hunt for an equaliser.

Trafford made an excellent stop to deny Solanke and Bournemouth a second, when Kluivert’s ball found the striker.

Kompany’s side kept pushing and found themselves in promising positions, Josh Cullen managed to get a shot away but it was saved by Neto.

On the 65th minute it was Cullen, who had a strong game in midfield, who thought he’d found the much wanted equaliser but the referee ruled the goal out for what he said was a foul by Bruun Larsen on a Bournemouth defender.

Shortly after, Cullen found himself on the end of a tackle by Tavernier, with the Bournemouth number 16 finding himself in the book.

Burnley took this moment to make their first change of the afternoon, with Zeki Amdouni introduced for Jacob Bruun Larsen, as the team chased that elusive equaliser.

Movement off the bench saw the Cherries make a change, with Billing coming on for Kluivert as the visitors aimed to minimise any home side chances and increase their lead. Semenyo very nearly succeeded in doing so when he fired his shot narrowly past Trafford.

In the 76th minute Manuel Benson was introduced for Vitinho. The Belgian was straight into the action, whipping in a corner but O’Shea couldn’t guide his header into the net.

A further yellow card for Bournemouth saw Adam Smith’s challenge land him in the book and just four minutes later despite Burnley’s pushing they were undone when Semenyo made it two to put the contest to bed as he cut in on his left foot to fire his shot past Trafford.

Two goals up, the Cherries made a double change with Kerkez and Solanke making way for Ouattara and Unal. Burnley also took the opportunity to make a double switch with Gudmundsson and Rodriguez introduced for O’Shea and Cullen.

With six additional minutes on the clock, the game wound down before the full-time whistle was blown. Despite a promising performance and plenty of effort, the result saw Bournemouth take home the points.

Burnley: Trafford, O’Shea (Rodriguez 90), Taylor, Berge, Assignon, Vitinho (Benson 76), Fofana, Cullen (Gudmundsson 90), Esteve, Bruun Larsen (Amdouni 69), Odobert

Unused substitutes: Muric, Cork, Ekdal, Tresor, Delcroix

AFC Bournemouth: Neto, Kerkez (Ouattara 89), Cook, Solanke (Unal 89), Christie (Scott 46), Smith, Tavernier, Kluivert (Billing 73), Semenyo, Senesi (Mepham 12), Zabarnyi

Unused substitutes: Travers, Faivre, Sinisterra, Kinsey

Goals: Kluivert 13′, Semenyo 88′