Everton secured a dramatic late victory at the Vitality Stadium as Jack Grealish struck a decisive goal to hand Bournemouth their fourth defeat in five Premier League games. In a tense, low-quality affair short on chances, Grealish’s 78th-minute effort—heavily deflected off Bafode Diakite—beat Djordje Petrovic and sealed a crucial three points for the Toffees.

The win marks Everton’s second consecutive triumph away from home, an impressive response after their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United earlier in the week. Manager David Moyes expressed his satisfaction, highlighting the team’s resilience through a challenging schedule of fixtures.

“We’ve gone to Old Trafford and now Bournemouth and taken wins in both,” Moyes said. “That’s hugely positive. We want to stay competitive with the sides fighting for European places, but in this league you’re always aware of the pressure from below.”

With the victory, Everton climbed to ninth in the Premier League table—just one point off fifth-placed Brighton—while Bournemouth slipped to 14th after another uninspired showing in front of their home fans.

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Bournemouth’s Performance Continues to Decline

Just weeks ago, Bournemouth were being discussed as outside contenders for European football. A strong start to the season—including wins over Wolves, Tottenham, Fulham and Brighton—had lifted spirits on the south coast. However, since their victory over Nottingham Forest on 26 October, the Cherries have failed to win a single match.

Their performance against Everton was described by manager Andoni Iraola as their “worst of the season.” Bournemouth registered only five shots—their lowest total in any Premier League match this campaign—despite Everton having conceded four goals in their previous outing.

Iraola fielded the youngest starting XI in the club’s Premier League history, with an average age of 23 years and 254 days, but the energy and spark that characterised their early-season form were nowhere to be found. Even a moment of hope before halftime, when Eli Junior Kroupi thought he had scored, was quickly extinguished by an offside flag against Adli.

With games against Chelsea and Manchester United approaching quickly, Iraola admitted concern about the team’s trajectory.

“We’re in a difficult moment,” he said. “Against Sunderland and West Ham, we played well even if the results didn’t come. Today, we struggled in every aspect.”

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Everton’s Discipline and Grealish’s Late Brilliance Make the Difference

For Everton, this result was a testament to improved defensive structure and game management. Aside from Pickford’s early save against Antoine Semenyo, the Toffees handled Bournemouth’s limited threats well. Moyes demanded more end product from Jack Grealish—and the England winger delivered at a crucial moment.

Grealish, on loan from Manchester City, now has two goals and four assists in 13 league matches for Everton. Speaking after the game, he admitted he was not at his best—but the late winner made all the difference.

“I didn’t think I played particularly well,” Grealish said. “Then Pickers [Jordan Pickford] came up to me and joked, ‘that was your worst game and you scored the winner.’ The fans wanted more, and I’m glad I could give them something.”

While fellow forward Thierno Barry was unlucky not to get his first goal, Grealish’s composed finish—his first Premier League goal from outside the box since 2020—proved decisive.

Everton’s win also made Premier League history: since Moyes returned to the club in January, only Arsenal have picked up more away points than Everton.

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What’s Next?

• Bournemouth: host Chelsea on Saturday, 6 December, needing a strong reaction to halt their slide down the table.
• Everton: return home to face Nottingham Forest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium the same afternoon, aiming to continue their push toward the European places.