Bournemouth missed the chance to strengthen their push for European qualification after being held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Andoni Iraola’s side fell behind in the first half when Eliezer Mayenda struck for his first Premier League goal since August, giving the visitors a deserved lead.
Evanilson’s sixth goal of the campaign restored parity after the interval and extended Bournemouth’s unbeaten league run to eight matches. Victory would have lifted the Cherries into the fringes of the Champions League conversation, but instead they remain eighth, with Sunderland two points adrift in 11th.
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka returned to the starting line-up for the first time since January 17 after recovering from an ankle injury. The Black Cats had lost four of five league games in his absence and appeared far more composed with their influential midfielder back at the heart of the side.
The visitors thought they had an early penalty when Enzo Le Fee went down under a challenge from Alex Jimenez, but their appeals were waved away.
Bournemouth, who were 15th when Antoine Semenyo departed for Manchester City, have defied expectations since his exit. They are yet to lose in the league during that spell, with Junior Kroupi’s impressive form helping to fill the void. Kroupi nearly made the breakthrough early on, firing wide from inside the area.
Sunderland capitalised on that reprieve in the 18th minute. Habib Diarra’s fierce effort was parried by Djordje Petrovic, and Mayenda reacted quickest to convert from close range. Notably, Sunderland remain unbeaten in league matches this season when scoring first.
The Black Cats also impressed defensively. Lutsharel Geertruida produced a superb last-ditch tackle to deny David Brooks a tap-in from Jimenez’s cross, while goalkeeper Robin Roefs made a sharp double save, first pushing Marcus Tavernier’s shot into the path of Alex Scott before scrambling across to block the rebound with his leg.
Diarra had a golden opportunity to double the lead shortly after half-time but shot straight at Roefs from Chemsdine Talbi’s pass.
Bournemouth eventually drew level in the 64th minute when Roefs misjudged Tavernier’s cross and Evanilson bundled the ball home off his shoulder at the far post.
Jimenez went close late on with a low drive that flashed narrowly wide, yet the hosts were unable to find a winner as both sides settled for a point.
AFP
