Bournemouth moved one step closer to securing European football for the first time in their history after climbing into sixth with a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at home.
The Cherries were handed the perfect start when their former player Jefferson Lerma guided Evanilson’s header over the line in the 10th minute before Eli Junior Kroupi got the chance to double their advantage with a controversial penalty just after the half-hour mark.
Dean Henderson was deemed to have caught Marcos Senesi in the box – despite minimal contact – after clawing to retrieve the ball he had dropped while claiming a corner.
“He drops the ball. But he doesn’t put an arm out or anything [to trip Senesi],” Glenn Murray said on Sky Sports. “I think this is extremely soft.”
VAR confirmed the on-field call before Kroupi rifled his spot-kick into the bottom left corner, moving the 19-year-old striker level with Robbie Fowler for most goals scored in their debut season in the top-flight as a teenager (12).
Palace boss Oliver Glasner made five changes to the team that beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final three days prior but quickly called upon the services of Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton and Ismalia Sarr at the break in search of a response.
The changes improved Palace but other than half-chances for Jorgen Strand Larsen, one of which was saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and the other was skied over the bar, but a third from Rayan for the home side would seal all three points with 12 minutes to go.
The Cherries now extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in the Premier League – the longest streak across Europe’s top five leagues – and hold a one-point advantage on Brentford in seventh with three games to go.
Meanwhile, full focus for Palace turns to the second leg of their semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday as Glasner looks to add to his trophy collection before departing at the end of his contract this summer.
Three goals and three points for Bournemouth!
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Kroupi scored from the spot after Dean Henderson brought down Marcos Senesi to give away a penalty
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Rayan latched onto David Brooks’ pass to fire home and seal victory for Bournemouth against Crystal Palace.
