After a disappointing midweek defeat at home to Championship Norwich in the EFL Cup, Everton will be looking to bounce back quickly as they travel down to the South Coast to take on Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Cherries also suffered embarrassment in the EFL Cup as they went down 3-2 after extra time at home to Championship Preston.
Their league form hasn’t been much better either, having only picked up four points from their opening five matches, being thumped 4-0 away at Manchester City last time out in the Premier League.
The Toffees, however, have been in fine form in the league and are yet to taste defeat under Ronald Koeman. This record will look to stay intact as Everton have never lost to Saturday’s opponents, although, meetings between the two sides have been few and far between, given the gulf in league positions over the years.
Nonetheless, I take a look back at our previous four meetings against Eddie Howe’s side.
Everton 2-1 Bournemouth - 30th April 2016
Leighton Baines proved the match-winner as Everton narrowly beat Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Tom Cleverley’s low shot gave the hosts an early lead before Marc Pugh equalised all of two minutes later for The Cherries. Leighton Baines then drove in what proved to be winner just after the hour-mark to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Roberto Martinez.
Bournemouth 0-2 Everton - 20th February 2016
Everton reach the FA Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought victory at the Vitality Stadium.
The Blues had stand-in ‘keeper Joel Robles to thank after his superb save from Charlie Daniels’ penalty kept the scores level in the first-half. Ross Barkley’s deflected effort then gave Everton the lead ten minutes after half-time before Romelu Lukaku settled the tie late on.
Bournemouth 3-3 Everton - 28th November 2015
Bournemouth twice come from behind to snatch a point in a thriller on the South Coast.
Everton’s lead looked secure after goals from Ramiro Funes Mori and Romelu Lukaku saw them 2-0 up at half-time. Bournemouth then hit back after the re-start as a stunning goal from Adam Smith halved the deficit before Junior Stanislas made it 2-2.
Ross Barkley then looked to have won it as his 95th-minute goal sparked wild celebrations from the travelling Evertonians. However, Junior Stanislas’ header in the 98th minute salvaged a dramatic point for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth 0-2 Everton - 7th October 1985
Everton advance into the third round of the League Cup after victory at Bournemouth.
Gary Lineker and Kevin Richardson were among the goals as Everton secure a 5-2 aggregate victory over The Cherries to see them progress in the League Cup.