After last week’s exceptional performance at Man City, this was the complete opposite. Tactically, Bournemouth were set up in a way that left our players at a loss of how to play out when in possession. As a result, the ball kept coming back at us. It was a narrow scoreline that should have been a lot worse.
GK Guglielmo Vicario
Our best player on the day, which says much about how the game went. Was unlucky with the goal as it deflected just out of his reach. Made some excellent saves throughout to keep us in the game, including one top-class stop to deny Antoine Semenyo just after half time. Rating: 9
RB Pedro Porro
Has been in good form for a while now but this game was poor all around. The first half might be Porro’s worst 45 minutes since he joined. Could not cope with Semenyo at all and was unable to progress the ball forward. Improved a little in the second half. Did show great commitment and energy but this was a rare off day. Rating: 3
LB Djed Spence
More effective than Porro, both attacking and defending, but not by much. Spence has been superb for a while now and has won an England call-up. This game was not one that matched his recent form. Rating: 4
CB Cristian Romero
Caught out for the goal, and on several occasions after that as well, including soon after the goal where Semenyo should have scored. Like the full backs, Romero struggled to get the ball forward and to deal with Evanilson all game. Put in plenty of effort, but one of those games where very little went right. Rating: 4
CB Micky van de Ven
Our best defender throughout the game, and several times we relied on his pace to get us out of trouble. Held his positioning well but, like his teammates, looked a little shocked at what was happening around him. Took some initiative to carry the ball forward in the second half, which helped greatly. A quality player, but not his best day. Rating: 6
CM João Palhinha
So strong last week vs. Man City but the game passed him by here. Unable to stop relentless Bournemouth attacks. Was outplayed but was also not helped tactically as Bournemouth far outnumbered us in midfield. Was not effective in the game at all. Rating: 2
CM Pape Matar Sarr
Everything mentioned for Palhinha applies to Sarr here, too. Dominant last week and mostly anonymous this week. A huge talent but not able to impact the game at all here. Rating: 2
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
Struggled like the rest of the midfield as we were overwhelmed with numbers and excellent Bournemouth play. Bentancur at least was able to get on the ball at times and, as we pressed towards the end, he was successful in carrying the ball in midfield. Rating: 4
RW Mohammed Kudus
Was very isolated in the first half as Bournemouth did well to stop any passes coming his way. Looked our most likely source of a goal in the second half. Was strong on the ball and direct as usual but unable to create much. At least looked as though he could provide some spark. Rating: 5
LW Brennan Johnson
Was largely anonymous. Bournemouth doubled up well on him early on, and with the confusion going on behind him in defence and midfield of how to play the ball out, Johnson was rarely able to get into dangerous forward positions to continue his recent good goalscoring form. A couple of opportunities in the first half then broke down with Johnson, either due to a poor pass or straying offside. Rating: 2
CF Richarlison
A willing runner but was not able to be effective at all. Albeit he was often lacking support, Richarlison was too often unable to hold the ball up, meaning what little attacks we were able to put together resulted in the ball coming straight back at us quickly. Like everyone else here, has started the season well, but not today. Rating: 4
Substitutes: Mathys Tel, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert
All four substitutes did improve us, admittedly that being from an incredibly low starting point. Bergvall and Odobert gave us a bit of presence in midfield as they were able to drive forward at times and show some creativity. Udogie too improved our attacking play on the left-hand side. Tel was unlucky after catching a volley with a perfect connection but seeing it drift wide.
All four helped us apply some late pressure and generate some half chances. Bournemouth still looked very comfortable, even deep into stoppage time. The goal didn’t come and never really looked it was going to either, even as the game progressed. Ratings: Tel (4), Bergvall (6), Udogie (5), Odobert (5)