Bournemouth smashed wayward Sheffield United to gain even more breathing room above the bottom three through a Marcus Tavernier brace in a 3-1 win at Bramall Lane.
Tavernier and Justin Kluivert took advantage of the defense-optional Blades to build a 2-0 halftime lead before Tavernier got his second to push the Cherries seven points clear of the bottom three with 12 points.
WATCH SHEFFIELD UNITED vs BOURNEMOUTH FULL MATCH REPLAY
Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaking profitability and sustainability rules reinvigorated the rest of the bottom half of the table as it sank the Toffees into the bottom three with four points, one fewer than Sheffield United has after a dispiriting home loss that saw the Blades booed off the pitch at halftime.
The Blades had gained four of their five points from their last two fixtures, beating Wolves and drawing Brighton, but ran into another form team in Bournemouth. The Cherries have now taken nine of their 12 points from their last three fixtures, wins over Burnley and Newcastle United joining this victory.
Cherries controlling, clinical in insuring stock
Sheffield United is going to be second-best in nearly every game with this group of players, but opponents still have to take their chances.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola wants to run rule over a side that keeps the ball and does fine things with it, and he won’t have a lot of chances to do that early in his Premier League project.
But Saturday was a day for that, and the Cherries were very good in keeping 55% possession and producing 2.71 xG while conceding less than one to the Blades. And most of the xGA came with the game well in hand.
Bournemouth seized the game from the opening whistle and attempted 23 of the game’s 33 shots, putting 11 on target while feasting on poor defending if not abject gaffes.
If the recipe for staying in the top flight is beating the teams around you, Bournemouth has done that here to add to a win over Burnley. The win last time out versus Newcastle was more taking advantage of a wounded visitor, but that’ll do, too. Maybe, just maybe?
What’s next?
Sheffield United gets another chance to take points off a bottom side when it visits Burnley at 10am ET Saturday, Dec. 2.
Bournemouth’s competition goes up a notch when it hosts Aston Villa a day later at 9am ET.
Sheffield United vs Bournemouth player ratings
Sheffield United vs Bournemouth player ratings (fotmob.com)
Sheffield United vs Bournemouth player ratings (fotmob.com)
Sheffield United vs Bournemouth final score: 1-3
Goal: Tavernier (12', 51'), Kluivert (45'+3), McBurnie (90'+7)
Oli McBurnie goal video: Late concession
Boiling over late
Philip Billing grabs Oli McBurnie from behind and there’s a scrap now, and did Billing get McBurnie on the neck?
It seems likely that it wasn’t enough for VAR to give a red, but a Sheffield United player has had a swing at Billing with a left hook and... that’s not going to be a problem either?
Okay, then: 11v11 still.
Marcus Tavernier goal: 3-0!
Longtime Bournemouth man Adam Smith snaps in a cross from the right, and an offside Antoine Semenyo lets it go.
That’s good, because Tavernier is charging the far post and redirects it past Foderingham.
Sheffield United vs Bournemouth halftime analysis
Wes Foderingham and the Blades were booed after the second goal, an awful giveaway from the keeper.
It got better for the Blades after that awful opening 15 minutes, but there’s still such little danger coming from Sheffield United in the final third.
Bournemouth’s taken 11 of the game’s 13 shot attempts and five of them made their way to three-save Foderingham.
The Blades’ 0.05 xG is poor compared to the visitors’ 1.20, and Paul Heckingbottom’s men have managed just 43% possession at home. Oof.
Justin Kluivert goal: Oh, no, Blades
This is a terrible error from Wes Foderingham, whose three saves had kept the Blades in this.
Foderingham steps over his left-footed clearing attempt outside the box, and Justin Kluivert is rewarded for his press with a free shot at goal from 18 yards.
He curls it around a defender, nestling the ball just inside the far post, and Bournemouth can pretty much call it a win if it avoids gaffes in the second half.
Marcus Tavernier goal: Cherries deservedly in front
Oh goodness are Sheffield United open for business.
Antoine Semenyo drives the play to deliver the goal that had been coming since the opening whistle, as Marcus Tavernier pumps home a first Premier League goal.
Can the Blades get to the January transfer window with reason to buy? It’s getting dire.
How to watch Sheffield United vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (November 25)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Stream Premier League on Peacock
Sheffield United lineup
The Bladesmen are unchanged for Bournemouth! 🔴
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 25, 2023
Anel and Oli back in the squad. 💪 pic.twitter.com/dFusHT8wlL
Bournemouth lineup
Your Cherries today 🍒 pic.twitter.com/jR32wuQI6X
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 25, 2023
Sheffield United team news, injuries
OUT: John Egan (ankle), Chris Basham (ankle), Tom Davies (thigh), Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (ankle), Rhian Brewster (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Oliver McBurnie (groin), Anel Ahmedhodzic (thigh)
Bournemouth team news, injuries
OUT: Philip Billing (knock), Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Alex Scott (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Maximillian Aarons (hamstring)