Bournemouth 2015/16 Premier League season review
Sunday 15 May 2016 19:08, UK
Stats, quotes and expert opinion on Bournemouth's maiden season in the Premier League.
Finishing position: 16th (Subject to change depending on result against Manchester United)
Total points: 42 (Subject to change depending on result against Manchester United)
FA Cup: Fifth round
Capital One Cup: Fourth round
Top scorer: Joshua King (six)
WhoScored Top Rating: Simon Francis (7.15)
Season review
Bournemouth will cherish the memory of their rollercoaster first season in the top flight. It started with 1-0 defeats to Aston Villa and Liverpool, but they responded with a thrilling 4-3 win over West Ham in which Callum Wilson scored a hat-trick.
Optimism was high at the Vitality Arena, but Wilson soon became one of three key players to go down with serious knee injuries. The Cherries' form suffered, but they recovered from a run of eight games without a win by beating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge and claiming a famous 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the start of December.
Bournemouth started 2016 four points clear of the drop zone in 16th, and their survival never looked in doubt in the second half of the season. January signing Benik Afobe made an immediate impact following his arrival from Wolves as he scored in victories over Norwich and Crystal Palace, and their impressive form continued.
In March there were consecutive victories over Southampton, Newcastle and Swansea, and even heavy defeats to the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea couldn't dampen the mood around the club.
Bournemouth's final game of the season against Manchester United was postponed after a suspicious package was found at Old Trafford, but whatever the result, Eddie Howe deserves huge credit for not just keeping the Cherries afloat - but making them look comfortable in the Premier League.
Quotes of the season
"When you look at the size of the clubs that have gone down, their history, their fan base, the size of the grounds, it does bring home the size of the achievement of our players." - Eddie Howe on securing Premier League survival.
"The manager has really high standards. He keeps that intensity high, and he expects it in return. If you drop your standards for one day, he is on you." - Andrew Surman provides an insight into working with Eddie Howe in March.
"We've always said we have the country's best English manager. He's first here in the morning and last to leave at night, an example to everyone." - Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn on Eddie Howe in April.
Stats of the season
Along with Leicester's Wes Morgan, Andrew Surman is one of only two outfield players to have played every minute of his side's Premier League campaign.
Bournemouth covered more distance per game than any other Premier League side in 2015/16.
No Premier League defender has provided more assists than Charlie Daniels (five).
Paul Merson's view
What a season it's been for Bournemouth. Everyone expected them to go straight back down to the Championship but they've proved everyone wrong.
"What a season it's been for Bournemouth. Everyone expected them to go straight back down to the Championship but they've proved everyone wrong. They've fallen away towards the end of the season but that can't take away from the unbelievable job Eddie Howe has done. Not just him though, everyone at the club deserves huge credit."
