Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest Report

Scorers: Kluivert 9’, Ouattara 55’, 61’, 87’, Semenyo 90+1’

Bournemouth showcased their Champions League credentials in emphatic fashion, thrashing third-placed Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

A Dango Ouattara hat-trick and a dominant all-around performance extended the Cherries’ unbeaten Premier League (PL) run to 11 matches, pulling them to within a point of the top four.

First Half: Kluivert’s Early Strike Sets the Tone

Bournemouth entered the contest with an enviable home defensive record, but it was their relentless attacking approach that stood out early on.

Just nine minutes into the game, Justin Kluivert continued his purple patch of form with a brilliant counter-attacking goal, driving a precise shot into the bottom corner. The strike, reminiscent of his father Patrick’s legendary finishing ability, gave the Cherries an early lead.

Forest’s response came through Morgan Gibbs-White, who went close with a snapshot from inside the box, narrowly missing the target.

Despite their efforts, the visitors struggled to contain Bournemouth’s offensive rhythm. The home side could have doubled their advantage when Ryan Christie and Antoine Semenyo tested Matz Sels, but the Forest goalkeeper produced two stunning saves to keep his side in the game as the first half concluded with Bournemouth holding a narrow lead.

Second Half: Ouattara Steals the Show

Bournemouth wasted no time asserting their dominance after the restart, and Dango Ouattara was the star of the show. In the 55th minute, Kluivert floated a perfect cross into the box, and Ouattara’s header left Sels with no chance.

The Cherries’ celebrations were momentarily interrupted when Kluivert’s second goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check, but their momentum remained unchecked.

Just seven minutes later, Tyler Adams delivered a defense-splitting pass to Ouattara, who turned his marker inside out before slotting home his second goal of the game.

Bournemouth’s relentless pressure continued, and Ouattara completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute, pouncing on a spilled save from Sels to fire home from close range. Antoine Semenyo capped off a resounding victory with a cheeky finish inside the area to make it 5-0, sending the Vitality Stadium into raptures.

What It Means

• Bournemouth: This victory (W11, D7, L5) reinforces their status as one of the league’s surprise packages, leaving Andoni Iraola’s side dreaming of an unlikely Champions League berth.
• Nottingham Forest: Despite their first defeat in nine matches, Forest remain in the top four, but their four-point cushion is under threat as rivals close the gap.

What’s Next?

Bournemouth will look to extend their remarkable unbeaten run against league leaders Liverpool next week, while Forest will aim to bounce back and solidify their top-four position in a crucial upcoming fixture, as they welcome Brighton to the City Ground.

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Bournemouth v Nottm Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League