Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth: Rayan nets winner after Ryan Christie and Joachim Andersen sent off as Cherries close in on European spot
Report and free match highlights as Bournemouth earn important win at Fulham in race for Europe; Ryan Christie sent off for visitors before Joachim Andersen also sees red in first half; Rayan nets winner early in second half with Josh King hitting woodwork in stoppage time
Saturday 9 May 2026 19:30, UK
Bournemouth strengthened their grip on a European place and extended their extraordinary unbeaten run to 16 games with a 1-0 victory at Fulham, in which both teams had a player sent off.
Brazilian winger Rayan netted his fifth goal since joining in January early in the second half to keep Bournemouth sixth in the Premier League, three points behind Aston Villa and six above ninth-placed Chelsea with two games remaining.
Bournemouth's Ryan Christie was shown a straight red card following a VAR check late in the first half for his reckless challenge on Timothy Castagne, but Fulham centre-back Joachim Andersen suffered the same fate 10 minutes later for his two-footed tackle on Adrien Truffert.
Neither player could have any complaints over the decisions, although referee Andrew Madley initially showed them both yellow cards before being sent to the pitchside monitor.
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Rodrigo Muniz had the best chance of the game before the cards came out, heading wide from close range before Fulham threatened to make their brief extra-man advantage count.
Sasa Lukic's shot was parried and Andersen's towering header hit the top of the crossbar, with his dismissal seconds before the interval a key moment in Bournemouth's important win.
Junior Kroupi struck the woodwork for the visitors shortly after the break and soon Rayan was celebrating his third goal in as many games with a strike from outside the area that deflected in off Calvin Bassey and past goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Fulham, with their European hopes all but over, have now failed to score in six of their last eight league games and their problems in attack were clear to see, not aided by substitute striker Raul Jimenez pulling out of the warm-up.
Bournemouth substitute Amine Adli should have secured the victory in stoppage time, missing his kick with the goal gaping which allowed Fulham one last chance, Josh King smashing the ball against the underside of the crossbar in the final moments.
Bournemouth have 'soul' despite Iraola exit
Sky Sports' David Richardson at Craven Cottage:
It is a testament to Bournemouth and Andoni Iraola that the head coach could announce his departure and for their season to keep getting better.
Bournemouth have won three of four matches to extend their unbeaten run to a remarkable 16 league games since Iraola said that he would leave the club this summer.
"I felt actually that we've used it in a positive way," said Iraola after their latest victory at Fulham. "Everyone is clear."
Iraola insists he won't regret the decision that "was not easy to take" even if Bournemouth end up in the Champions League. A place in a European competition is the least they deserve after defying the odds following a host of high-profile player departures this summer.
And even with Iraola heading for the exit, it was clear at Fulham that everyone at Bournemouth is committed to the cause.
"The second half was about the soul of the team," said Iraola. "Because it's 10 against 10, spaces everywhere, one against one, duels, tired legs, at the end you need the soul when you are running out of energy."
Bournemouth may be preparing for life after Iraola but their spirit suggests the foundations are there for the club to keep moving forward without him
Iraola: Massive win but we still need points
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola:
"It's a massive result for us. Also, considering the opponent, how difficult it is to win here, how the game has gone because there is a moment when you receive the first red card where you see it's very difficult. But we kept fighting and I'm very happy for the players because they've shown big spirit.
"When you see the replays, both of them look like red cards. I didn't think the Ryan Christie one looked like it but after you see the replay, you see the image and I understand why they took the decision.
"The problem with getting a European position is that teams around you win a lot of games, and today you win but Brighton won, Chelsea got one point away.
"We've left some opposition behind, but we still need more points. We are in a good place, but we play Manchester City and we play Forest away, we have to find points from somewhere."
Silva questions Andersen red card: I haven't seen clear angle
Fulham head coach Marco Silva:
"We played a very good first half 11 against 11, we were clearly the team on the front foot, some very good moments of football.
"We know in football, sometimes if the opposition gets a red card, you have to be more careful, you have to be much more mature. It had a massive impact, the Anderson red card.
"I'm trying to see all the images that I can, so far I haven't seen one that showed it's a clear red card for Andersen.
"Probably they are there and probably in the next few hours I'm going to see them but right now I haven't seen one."
