Justin Kluivert’s first-half strike and Antoine Semenyo’s late second ended Bournemouth’s wait for a first Premier League victory of 2024 as the Cherries weathered prolonged spells of pressure at Turf Moor to condemn relegation-threatened Burnley to a fourth consecutive defeat.
Despite having 25% of possession, Andoni Iraola’s side capitalised when the Clarets failed to deal with a ball over the top 13 minutes in, allowing Dutch attacker Kluivert to pounce with a clinical finish.
Burnley had more chances during the second half before Semenyo cut inside from the right and fired in via a deflection off Charlie Taylor to double the lead two minutes from time.
Visiting goalkeeper Neto produced an inspired save to claw Jacob Bruun Larsen’s free-kick narrowly off the line with the interval approaching as Burnley were again left to rue near-misses, wastefulness and occasionally questionable defending on their way to a 20th league defeat of the season.
Bournemouth rose 11 points above the relegation zone with their first win in eight league games, while second-bottom Burnley’s second-bottom position looks increasingly precarious, standing 11 points from safety with 11 matches remaining and a vastly inferior goal difference on the teams above them.
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Bournemouth might not have anticipated waiting more than two months for their next win when they picked up a fourth straight victory by beating Fulham 3-0 on Boxing Day, but their safety now looks assured – in stark contrast to Burnley’s plight.
There were chants of “sacked in the morning” towards Kompany from the away fans during the later stages as the coach watched his players extend their winless run to nine matches, and there is a sense that only drastic action can give them any hope of retaining their status now.
Justin KLUIVERT 💥💥💥 PIC.TWITTER.COM/IBGW5NDU5X
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) MARCH 3, 2024
David Datro Fofana was denied by Neto before Bruun Larsen went closest among their 19 attempts at goal, producing six of the nine efforts on target.
The game inevitably became more open as Burnley pushed for an equaliser with time dwindling, allowing Bournemouth to go close when Dominic Solanke’s shot was stopped by James Trafford and Marcus Tavernier fired against the sidenetting.
Absolutely STUNNING solo effort from Antoine Semenyo PIC.TWITTER.COM/HH9209CBQE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) MARCH 3, 2024
For all their promising play and commendable commitment to their attractive approach to the game, this encounter perhaps summed up why Burnley have been unable to turn cause for encouragement into points during a difficult season which looks almost certain to culminate in relegation.
Josh Cullen found the net during the second half with a goal that was ruled out for a foul in the build-up, but Iraola would likely have been content to cede the majority of possession, knowing they would be allowed presentable chances if they showed patience.
From there, 13th-placed Bournemouth’s considerably more effective attackers were always likely to outshine their counterparts. Three long-awaited points were the reward.
