Bournemouth had to have three points away to Fulham in order to keep their UEFA Champions League dreams alive, and three points they got in a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
WATCH — Fulham vs Bournemouth full match replay
Both sides were reduced to 10 men shortly before halftime, as Ryan Christie and Joachim Andersen were sent off for separate tackles. That opened things up nicely in the second half, for Rayan to score the winner from 25 yards out in the 53rd minute. The Brazilian winger looks like Bournemouth new hidden gem (signed for $34 million in January) with five goals and two assists in 13 Premier League appearances at 19 years old.
The Cherries currently sit 6th in the Premier League table, six points back Aston Villa for what will be the PL’s final Champions League place — unless Villa win the Europa League against Freiburg on May 20, at which point 6th place would become a Champions League place as well. Heading into the weekend, it’s Bournemouth on 55 points, Brighton on 53 and Brentford on 51.
Below are the live updates from Fulham vs Bournemouth, with everything you need.
Both sides played the entire second half down a man, but only Bournemouth found the back of the net, thanks to Rayan’s ambitious strike from 25 yards out in the 53rd minute. Astonishingly, that’s 16 games unbeaten in the Premier League for the Cherries. Fulham had a couple of chances in quick succession during stoppage time, but Marco Silva’s side couldn’t break down Bournemouth’s tight defensive setup after they scored.
Bournemouth are on the board and Rayan now has five goals on the season (to go with two assists). Adam Smith gave him the ball in plenty of space 25 yards out and no one got near the Brazilian winger, so he had a go. Good thing he did.
Rayan TAKING AIM 🎯
— USA Sports (@usasports) May 9, 2026
Bournemouth with the advantage!
⚪️ Fulham: 0
🔴 Bournemouth: 1
⏱️ 53’ pic.twitter.com/6Wvj5ZqcNd
Both sides are down to 10 men now, and Fulham’s big advantage has been wiped out in first-half stoppage time. Joachim Andersen has also been sent off after a strong challenge on Adrien Truffert. This should open things up a great bit in the second half.
Another red card!
— USA Sports (@usasports) May 9, 2026
This time it's Joachim Andersen of Fulham that's sent off the pitch.
⚪️ Fulham: 0
🔴 Bournemouth: 0
⏱️ 45+7' pic.twitter.com/95tHIdW17g
Possession: 58-42
Shots: 7-3
On target: 1-0
xG: 0.56-0.13
Bournemouth have hardly had a sight of goal, and life just got tougher for the Cherries after midfielder Ryan Christie was sent off for a sliding tackle on Castagne. He came in hard, high and without hope of winning the ball. Hard to argue with that one, even if it didn’t seem intentional.
Ryan Christie DISMISSED with a red card!
— USA Sports (@usasports) May 9, 2026
The decision comes after VAR review.
⚪️ Fulham: 0
🔴 Bournemouth: 0
⏱️ 42’ pic.twitter.com/3u9OCL8Dst
Rodrigo Muniz had the game’s first real scoring chance when he got on the end of Timothy Castagne’s cross, but the Brazilian put it wide of the post from six yards out. He probably should have scored that one.
Glorious opportunity!
— USA Sports (@usasports) May 9, 2026
Beautiful pass but the header by Muniz is off target.
⚪️ Fulham: 0
🔴 Bournemouth: 0
⏱️ 29’ pic.twitter.com/R9wuNxgO63
Petrovic - Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert - Christie, Scott, Kroupi - Rayan, Tavernier, Evanilson
The team news is in 🍒#FULBOU | #afcb pic.twitter.com/GMVP8T7JQV
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 9, 2026
Leno - Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson - Lukic, Cairney, Smith Rowe - Wilson, Chukwueze, Muniz
Your Fulham. ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/mxjizCMnUI
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) May 9, 2026
