On England’s south coast, Bournemouth finally found the result their league start had been missing, beating Sunderland 2-0 to register a first Premier League win of the campaign at the seventh attempt.
Key takeaways
- Marcus Tavernier put Bournemouth ahead inside five minutes.
- Sunderland played from the 17th minute with ten men after Kevin Danso was sent off for pulling back an opponent.
- Brazilian forward Evanilson doubled the home side’s advantage shortly after the interval.
- Bournemouth move onto six points and climb to 16th place.
- Sunderland remain second from bottom on four points under Régis Le Bris.
A needed response at the Vitality Stadium
Marco Rose’s side arrived with momentum from their Europa League victory over Austria’s Sturm Graz three days earlier, but their domestic situation still demanded a response. Bournemouth had opened the Premier League season with three draws and three defeats, leaving the club without a league success before Sunderland’s visit.
The hosts made the most of their early attacking spell. Tavernier’s fifth-minute finish gave Bournemouth a platform, and Sunderland’s afternoon became still more difficult 12 minutes later when Danso received a red card for his foul.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors limited Bournemouth to the single-goal margin through the rest of the first half. That resistance did not last long after the restart. Evanilson scored early in the second period to settle the contest and give the home crowd a more comfortable finish.
European test follows
The win lifts Bournemouth clear of the relegation positions, at least for now, with six points from seven league matches. Sunderland, meanwhile, stay in the drop zone on four points and sit penultimate in the standings.
For Rose, the result offers welcome breathing room before another continental appointment. Milan travel to Bournemouth on Thursday for a Europa League match, extending a demanding week in which the club have turned a difficult league opening into a more hopeful picture.
