Bournemouth crushed Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium to secure a commanding victory and strengthen their mid-table position.
Bournemouth dominated proceedings from start to finish, capitalizing on Palace's defensive frailties to record a comfortable win. The hosts moved to eighth place with 49 points, while Palace remained in 14th with 43 points after 33 matches played.
The Cherries made an explosive start to the match. Just ten minutes in, a defensive mix-up handed Bournemouth the opener when Jérémy Lerma turned the ball into his own net under pressure. Palace's backline looked vulnerable from the opening whistle.
Bournemouth pressed their advantage relentlessly. The home side controlled possession and created multiple chances as Palace struggled to find their rhythm. Defensively, the visitors appeared disorganized and susceptible to quick attacks.
The second goal arrived in the 32nd minute when Eli Junior Kroupi converted from the penalty spot. The penalty gave Bournemouth a commanding two-goal advantage heading into half-time. Palace's discipline issues continued when Marc Lacroix received a yellow card shortly before the break.
At half-time, Bournemouth had established complete control. They registered 5 shots on target compared to Palace's single attempt. The expected goals count reflected the disparity, with Bournemouth at 1.26 and Palace managing just 0.38.
Palace emerged for the second half needing to improve their defensive shape and create more attacking opportunities. However, Bournemouth maintained their intensity and continued to press forward with purpose.
The third goal sealed the victory in the 77th minute when Rayan fired past the Palace goalkeeper. The winger's finish capped off a dominant display from the home team. Palace had no answer to Bournemouth's attacking threat throughout the match.
Bournemouth's defense proved equally impressive. Marcos Senesi led the defensive effort with a rating of 8.2, making three tackles and keeping Palace at bay. James Hill added four tackles to anchor the backline effectively.
The statistics told the story of a one-sided contest. Bournemouth completed 380 passes with 82% accuracy, controlling the tempo throughout. Palace managed 398 passes but with lower accuracy at 78%, reflecting their disjointed play.
Bournemouth finished with 15 total shots, including 5 on target. Palace managed just 7 shots with only 1 on target. The expected goals metric reinforced Bournemouth's superiority at 2.26 compared to Palace's 0.78.
This victory represents a strong statement from Bournemouth as the season enters its final weeks. Palace must regroup quickly and address their defensive vulnerabilities before their next fixture.
