Coleman own goal condemns Everton to late loss at Bournemouth

Updated: Mar 30, 2024, 06:54 pm

Everton defender Seamus Coleman's stoppage-time own goal handed his side a 2-1 Premier League loss at Bournemouth on Saturday, deepening the woes of the relegation-threatened Merseysiders.

Everton's defeat leaves them in 16th place on 25 points, three above Nottingham Forest, who drew, and Luton Town, who lost and are in the drop zone. The Toffees have a game in hand. Bournemouth are 13th in the table on 38 points.

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Having had a 10-point deduction for financial irregularities cut to six, Everton arrived on the south coast under the cloud of another charge and they struggled to create opportunities in a scoreless first half.

The visitors went close from a cleverly-worked corner in the 59th minute as the Bournemouth defence switched off, allowing Dwight McNeil to cut down the right and fire in a cross that struck the near post before being cleared.

Andoni Iraola celebrates Bournemouth's win with Phillip Billing.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Everton held out until the 64th minute when Bournemouth substitute Lloyd Kelly, who had joined the fray a minute earlier, crossed for Dominic Solanke to rise between two defenders and score the opener with a superb cushioned header.

That put Solanke level with Joshua King on a record 16 league goals in a single season for the Cherries and it looked set to be the winner until a dreadful error by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.

An innocuous cross in the 87th minute looked like it would be simple to deal with but the Brazilian dropped the ball into the path of Everton substitute Beto, who fired home to trigger wild celebrations among the away fans.

Four minutes later, however, Everton were plunged into crisis again as Coleman was fooled by a bouncing ball in the box, chesting it into his own net to condemn the Toffees to their third defeat in a row.

Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams made his first Premier League start since March 11 2023 for Leeds. He returned this month from a hamstring injury that twice needed surgery and scored the opening goal last Sunday in the United States' win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League.

Fellow strugglers Forest drew 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace, while Luton lost 2-1 at Spurs.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.