After surviving their first season in the Premier League, Bournemouth have started the 16/17 campaign with a bang.
After an impressive start to their first ever Premier League campaign, Bournemouth began 2016 off in fine form, with an important draw against a rampant Leicester City side, as well as massive 3-0 victory over a struggling Norwich City side.
Norwich’s Sebastien Bassong in action with Bournemouth’s Benik Afobe
Beating the teams in and around their position in the table would be important for Bournemouth over the February/March period, and after impressive wins such as 1-2 away at Crystal Palace, a 2-0 home win against Ronald Koeman’s Southampton and a 1-3 away win against Rafa Benitez’s struggling Newcastle side, the Cherries looked set to stay up.
Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez in action with Bournemouth’s Marc Pugh
April and May would prove to be a challenging final close to the season for the Cherries, but despite only picking up one win against Aston Villa, Bournemouth ended their first Premier League season in safety.
Bournemouth’s Tommy Elphick in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew
Over the summer, Bournemouth would go on to lose captain, Tommy Elphick, to Aston Villa, but they recruited well by bringing in Liverpool winger, Jordon Ibe, as well as Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan. Two huge statements from the seaside club.
Bournemouth’s new signing, Jack Wilshere
Carrying on their less than inspiring end of the season into the 2016/17 campaign, Bournemouth recorded just one point over the month of August with a draw against Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace, thanks to a goal from Josh King.
Bournemouth’s Joshua King celebrates scoring their first goal against Crystal Palace with his team mates
September however would result in a turn around in form for Eddie Howe’s side, as the club picked up their first win in a 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion, as well as beating Everton 1-0 at the end of the month thanks to a great finish by Junior Stanislas.
Bournemouth’s Junior Stanislas celebrates scoring the match-winning goal against Everton
Despite picking up only one win over the course of October, it was a corker as Bournemouth swept aside Hull City in arguably their best performance of the year to date, smashing Mike Phelan’s side 6-1.
Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson scores their fifth goal against Hull
November would see a similar vein of form for the seaside team, as the Cherries picked up their only win of the month against Stoke City, thanks to an excellent finish from former Watford loanee, Nathan Ake.
Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake scores their first goal
So far, December has proved to be a month of differing performances. Despite conceding 6 goals in their last two games, Bournemouth picked up a massive 4-3 home win against Liverpool, gifting the loyal Cherries support a fantastic early Christmas present.
Though consistency remains an issue for Eddie Howe’s side, Bournemouth have proved they’ve got what it takes to stick it out in the Premier League.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino in action with Bournemouth’s Simon Francis
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