Follow live coverage as AFC Bournemouth face Fulham today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
AFC Bournemouth 1 - 0 Fulham FC
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
22:07Bournemouth leapfrog Fulham into eighth place in the Premier League after a goal in the first minute seals a vital 1-0 win at the Vitality. The game burst into life in the opening moments as these two sluggers launched into attack mode from the off. But it was Bournemouth through Semenyo who landed the most telling blow, with the attacker caressing a lovely shot into the bottom corner after good work by Alex Scott. Both sides had moments in the game but the hosts held on, sometimes nervously in the second period to claim the points and move onto 48 points for the season. No Silva lining for Fulham as they tried to get back on level terms, but they lacked that clinical edge and even with Traore and Smith Rowe introduced, they could not break down Bournemouth's newly found resolute rear guard. Bournemouth were good value for the points and mustered an xG of 1.86 over the ninety minutes, with Fulham-a little off colour-still managing n xG of 1.38. Both teams are level on 48 points, but Bournemouth move ahead of tinight's opponents on goal difference. Thank you for joining us this evening, and goodbye.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:56FULL-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 FULHAM
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:56Kerkez prevents a corner after the ball is floated in by Iwobi from a deep position on the left. He slams it out for a throw. That should be that.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:54Right on cue, Adams wins a throw-in and celebrates. Fulham are running out of ideas.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:52Yellow Card Lewis John Cook
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:52An uncharacteristically poor ball in from Robinson has Arrizabalaga peddling backwards to claim at the back post. The Bournemouth stopper collides with a rapidly approaching Traore and needs no excuse to go down and waste a few precious moments.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:50There will be five extra minutes added on at the end here at the Vitality Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:48Substitution Antoine Serlom Semenyo Julio César Soler Barreto
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:47As predicted, Cairney is showing his quality at getting balls into the area. Another corner as the pressure is ramped up by Fulham.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:47Bournemouth are having to show their defensive side this evening. The last time they recorded a clean sheet was back in January.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:44Yellow Card Tyler Shaan Adams
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:43Willian is brought on as Fulham go for broke. Lukic goes off as Silva rolls the dice for the last five minutes. Willina is yet to register a goal since rejoining the London club.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:43Brilliant defending at the back post from Kerkez, who watches the long cross from Robinson and does not buckle under pressure from Traore who seemed to have the run on him. The Hungary international heads behind him and away.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:40EXCELLENT SAVE FROM LENO KEEPS FULHAM IN IT!! Evanilson got the better of Bassey and got inside his man inthe left channel. As he moved into the area, Leno raced out to meet him and without hesitation, pushed the ball away from his feet with both palms as the Brazilian looked to round him.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:38Iraola's team are defending well, but their out ball is increasingly a pumped ball down the channel for Ouattara or Semenyo to chase. They need to protect the ball better in possession.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:37The home side are having to defend more and more. They do not want to become entrenched in their own half. Ten plus minutes is a long time to be defending your goal without reprieve.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:35Robinson digs out yet another cross from the left depsite close attention from two Bournemouth players. The ball bounces up at Cairney just outside the penalty area and makes it just too awkward to hit the volley and it is never going to baet the keeper with such little pace on it.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:34A cross into the box from Robinson searches out Traore, but the musclebound winger can't get in front of his man at the back post. There will be a lot more crosses before the final whistle you feel.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:29Cairney feeds Lukic around 20 yards out and central, but the midfielder concentrates a little too much on getting his effort on target and loses any fizz in the shot. It is caught easily by a falling Arrizabalaga.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:27IWOBI FORCES A SAVE!! That was exquisite from Iwobi. Centrally just outside the box, he checks inside the sliding defender and hits a right-foot shot that was heading for the left corner of the net but for a sprawling save from Arrizabalaga. Good effort from the ex-Arsenal attacker.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:27Substitution Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira Emile Smith Rowe
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:26Yellow Card Thomas Cairney
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:23A mini lull in the game as those subs take their positions. Traore gets on the ball for the first time and chips a left-footed cross from the right which spells trouble momentarily for Bournemouth. Even just varying the threat which so often comes down the Fulham left may reap rewards for the away side.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:23Substitution Alex Jay Scott Marcus Joseph Tavernier
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:20Yellow Card Antonee Robinson
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:17Substitution Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:15ADAMS EFFORT SAVED BY LENO!! Ouattara jinked this way, then that on the left just inside the penalty area. He crosses a flat ball into the area and Adams sticks out a leg to divert the ball goalwards, but Leno is positioned well to push the ball back out.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:15Substitution Sander Gard Bolin Berge Thomas Cairney
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:15Substitution Kouassi Ryan Sessegnon Adama Traoré Diarra
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:13Bassey and Andersen try to stray into the opposing half and get an attack moving, but in Kerkez, Ouattara and Scott, the hosts remind them that it is a dangerous tactic to creep into the Bournemouth half and not expect a counter.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:12First by Zabarnyi, then by Adams, Bournemouth intercept two attempts from Robinson to pass the ball into the feet of the Fulham forward line. Excellent defensive actions from the home side.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:10Bassey and Evanilson tussle with each other on the ground as the ball bounces. The colossal Fulham defender brushes Evanilson aside in uncompromising fashion, which prompts the Brazilian to rub his shoulder vigorously, but he is fine to continue.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:08Bassey fizzes in a pass to Robinson on the wing, but Smith is trying to keep closer order on the Fulham man. He knows giving him a few yards to cross can be disastrous.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:07Iwobi and Robinson link up down the left, not for the first time. Unfortnately for Fulham, the cross into the box is not met by anyone.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:05We are back under way.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:03Substitution Marcos Nicolás Senesi Barón Illia Zabarnyi
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
21:03Bournemouth will continue to look to counter Fulham and press hard, especially as they are now in the driving seat as far as the scoreline goes. For Fulham, they have appeared dangerous, if not a little wasteful in front of goal. The longer the game goes with the score 1-0, the more chance we see Silva turn to Traore and/or Jimenez who are capable of impacting the game. The current live win probability has Bournemouth at 36.7%, whilst Fulham are at 26.5% (36.9% the draw).
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:57That opening 45 was as absorbing as we had hoped in terms of entertainment, and it is the hosts who head in 1-0 up at the break. The earliest of goals set Iraola's men on their way after Fulham full-back, Robinson headed straigt up the pitch after kick-off, only to find himself out of position and floundering as Bournemouth midfielder, Scott broke away and caused problems, ultimately resulting in Semenyo putting Bournemouth ahead. Fulham have since got themselves back into it with chances of their own, with Muniz looking particularly sharp and Sessegnon wasting a presentable opportunity. Bournemouth could have also had more, with Evanilson smahing the woodwork from close range in this end-to-end fixture. The respective xG of each team shows the attacking prowess on display this evening, with Bournemouth registering an xG of 1.36 so far, and Fulham a respectable xG of 1.15.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:51HALF-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 FULHAM
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:50TIPPED AWAY BY LENO!! Alex Scott ghosted across from the right touchline and went past two or three Fulham players before trying to slip a ball through to his strikers. The ball rebounded back to him and he hit an instant shot with his left foot from around the edge of the penalty area that Leno had to tip around his near post. The young playmaker has carried the ball well this half and looks full of confidence.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:48CROSS FLASHED ACROSS THE FULHAM GOAL FROM COOK!! That just needed a touch and two Bournemouth forwards fling themselves at it after Cook flashed a cross across the six-yard area from the right-wing.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:45Another corner for Fulham earned by the persistance of Robinson down that left flank. The corner from the left reaches Andersen at the back stick. The imposing centre-back chips a deft left foot cross towards the back post but Bournemouth clear the impending danger.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:44Yellow Card Marcos Nicolás Senesi Barón
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:43Iraola is seen frantically making notes. He will be pleased to be ahead, but Fulham have still given them plenty to ponder and you feel this game is far from done.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:42Fulham are quietly growing into this game. Nice passing sequences from the London side are resulting in more attacking opportunities, but Bournemouth are always ready to spring that counter with dynamism.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:40FREE HEADER FOR SESSEGNON STRAIGHT AT THE KEEPER!! Iwobi drifted out to the left-hand side and from deep, sent a searching ball over the Cherries defence that was perfect for Sessegnon to attack, but he headed tamely at Arrizabalaga, who in fairness to him, had taken up a good position and caught the ball comfortably.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:37ANOTHER CHANCE FOR MUNIZ!! A Fulham corner is sent to the back post, but there is not enough pace and the Brazilian striker struggles to generate any power on his far-post header. It drops invitingly for Kepa to gratefully collect.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:34CHANCE FOR MUNIZ DRAGGED WIDE!! A confused look between Huijsen and Senesi as they left the ball to each other allowed Muniz to run unopposed at the goal from the right channel. He bore down on goal but dragged the ball wide of Arrizabalaga's right post and wide.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:33Tyler Adams is the chief disruptor in this Bournemouth side. Nobody has won more tackles than the tenacious midfield enforcer (43).
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:31Adams does what he does best for Bournemouth, and as Berge-for once-breaks out of the Fulham half, the United States midfield enforcer slams into the Norwegian and gives away the free-kick.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:30Fulham are trying to get some momentum but Bournemouth are so adept at pushing their opponents back into their own half.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:28A clash of heads between Kerkez and Sessegnon results in the Bournemouth full-back hitting the deck. He is soon back up though and the resulting free-kick causes some unneccessary panic in the Fulham area. Eventually an Evanilson shot pinballs around the box and the home side claim half-heartedly for a handball, but a quick check reveals no penalty.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:25It is a very open encounter thus far, which shows how much both teams are looking to win to keep alive their realistic dreams of securing european football for next season.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:24Bournemouth are displaying their high pressing game. It has served them so well on occasions this season. Their instantly identifiable style of pressing high up the pitch and forcing their opponents into errors is evident this evening. They are second only to Manchester City in terms of high turnovers with 287 (City 289), and they top the charts with 61 of those turnovers resulting in a shot.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:22Muniz is down in pain after Bournemouth's fresh-faced centre-back Huijsen steps on his foot. The young Spaniard marshalling the Bournemouth defence turns 20-years-old today.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:20CROSSBAR RATTLED BY EVANILSON!! That was millimetres away from being 2-0 after more pressure from the hosts nearly yielded another goal. A cross that was beautifully swung in by Kerkez was nodded down delicately by Scott at the far post and Evanilson crashed a right foot shot from right in fron tof goal against the crossbar. So close.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:18A Ouattara dummy does not catch out Fulham right-back Castagne who is wise to it. The Cherries forward line continue to press though.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:16Robinson is king of the assists for Fulham with 10 for the season. Double figures from full-back is some going. He has delivered a whopping 146 crosses this season.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:15Another diagonal ball from Fulham centre-back Andersen towards Robinson on the left-hand side. That is the third time that ploy has been used. Robinson gets so high up the pitch and this time wins a corner. The whipped delivery is rebuffed at the near post though and Bournemouth avert any danger.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:13The Sessegnon-Kerkez battle down the Fulham right looks an intriguing contest. Sessegnon will look to cut back onto his left foot but can use either. His pace is proving a worthy test for the impressive Bournemouth full-back so far.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:12Huijsen's headed clearance is too weak and Sessegnon picks up the second ball for Fulham but Kerkez gets his body in position to block the former Spurs man and snuffs out the danger.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:10Bournemouth's Evanilson has his first effort (if you can call it that) of the game. Ouattara pinched the ball form the Fulham midfield and headed directly for the goal. He slipped Evanilson in down the left channel but the Brazilian could only send in a tentative cross-come-shot across the box that was cleared.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:08This game screams goals. Fulham have kept just one clean sheet in the last 12 league games against Bournemouth. However, they have scored in all but one of their last eight encounters with the Cherries
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:06Disastrous start for the away side who attacked firs and were caught out of position. We though there would be goals in this game, and so it has proved already.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:02Goal Antoine Serlom Semenyo
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
20:02Bournemouth get this game under way.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:58Both sets of players are out on the pitch as we near the start of this mouth-watering Monday night match-up.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30For Fulham, unsurprisingly, it is the same starting eleven that came out on top in that pulsating encounter with Liverpool. Head Coach, Marco Silva, has resisted the temptation to tinker after such a good showing in their last match, and sticks with the in-form striker Muniz in favour of Jimenez up front.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30Bournemouth boss, Andoni Iraola has made just one change from the 2-2 draw with West Ham, with Senesi drafted into the defence at the expense of Zabarnyi, who is demoted to the bench. The Cherries will once again look towards the Braziliance of their talismanic number nine, Evanilson to supply the goods with top-scorer, Justin Kluivert still missing through injury.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30SUBS: Steven-Andreas Benda, Jorge Cuenca, Kenny Tete, Emile Smith Rowe, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez, Willian.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Ryan Sessegnon, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi; Rodrigo Muniz.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30SUBS: Will Dennis, Illia Zabarnyi, James Hill, Julian Araujo, Julio Soler, Ben Winterburn, Daniel Jebbison, David Brooks, Marcus Tavernier.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez; Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook; Dango Ouattara, Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo; Evanilson.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30Fulham are the epitome of inconsistency at the moment. Starting with the 2-1 win over Forest in February, the Cottagers have played out a win-loss league sequence that has spanned seven matches. They will be keen to avoid that recurring nightmare this evening as they follow last week’s fantastic 3-2 win over the league’s leaders Liverpool. A win would keep alive hopes of European football next season and would see them just three points adrift of a place in the top six.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30Bournemouth are in the middle of a depressingly bleak run of home results, suffering four straight league defeats at the Vitality Stadium. They haven’t won on home turf since the January 5-0 battering of Nottingham Forest. The incentive to beat tonight’s opponents Fulham is clear; they can leap up to eighth place in the table, taking the London side’s place, whilst also leapfrogging Brighton in the process.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
19:30Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary coverage of the Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Fulham.
AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham
18:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
