Boss Andoni Iraola is in his third season in charge of Bournemouth – and what a job he is doing.
The Cherries finished 15th, only five points above the relegation zone under Gary O’Neil in 2022-23, but since Iraola’s arrival they have come 12th and ninth – their joint-highest finish in league football.
However, despite losing four key players in the summer – centre-halves Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, left-back Milos Kerkez and winger Dango Ouattara, who moved in big-money transfers to Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Liverpool and Brentford respectively – Iraola has his side’s fans dreaming of glory.
After Eli Kroupi’s first goal, the away fans chanted they were top of the league, and then how they were going to win it.
While, it is far too early for any serious discussions like that, there is a real chance Iraola could guide Bournemouth to their best position and make them serious challengers for a run at securing European football, something they have never achieved.
Such has been their progression, they will be disappointed to leave south London with only a point.
With Evanilson out with a calf injury, Kroupi was handed a first Premier League start following his move from French club Lorient and put the visitors ahead after only seven minutes.
It came after Justin Kluivert’s inswinging corner from the left caused problems and the ball bounced off Eagles defender Maxence Lacroix when challenging Antoine Semenyo in the air, dropping perfectly for Kroupi to head in from close range.
Semenyo was heavily involved in Bournemouth’s second as he was too fast for Chris Richards down the left flank and his cross was not dealt with by England defender Marc Guehi, with Kroupi blasting home the loose ball.
After Jean-Philippe Mateta made it 2-2 the Cherries thought they had gained their fifth league win of the season when Ryan Christie converted from captain Marcus Tavernier’s pass, only for Mateta to deny them the victory late on.
