AFC Bournemouth secured their first win of the new Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over ten-man Wolves at the Vitality Stadium. A deflected early goal from Marcus Tavernier was enough to seal all three points for Andoni Iraola's side, who were able to hold on despite a frustrating lack of a finishing touch throughout the match. For Wolves, the defeat marks a disappointing start to the season with two losses in a row, leaving them in the relegation zone.
The match began with a frantic pace. Just moments after a golden early chance for Wolves' Marshall Munetsi went begging, Bournemouth immediately took advantage of a mistake. The crucial play began when Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams applied intense pressure high up the pitch, winning the ball from Wolves' Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
The ball then fell to Antoine Semenyo, who found Marcus Tavernier in space on the edge of the box. Tavernier's shot was on target, but it took a decisive deflection off Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and looping into the net off the underside of the crossbar. It was a lucky break, but one that was created by the Cherries' aggressive pressing and fast-paced play.
Bournemouth continued to dominate the early stages, with Semenyo and David Brooks creating a number of chances. Semenyo came agonizingly close to doubling the lead just moments later, but his close-range shot from a Brooks cross hit the underside of the crossbar. Wolves, struggling to get a foothold in the game, had a few moments of their own, with a Jørgen Strand Larsen header forcing a good save from Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic.
The second half began with Wolves hoping to find a way back into the game, but their task became much more difficult just four minutes after the restart. Wolves captain Toti Gomes was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Evanilson, who was running through on goal. The dismissal left Wolves with ten men for almost the entire second half.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wolves showed brief flashes of resilience, but Bournemouth continued to create the better opportunities. Semenyo was denied by a great one-handed save from Jose Sa, and Tyler Adams forced a sprawling save from the Wolves goalkeeper as the hosts searched for a second goal to put the game to bed. While they failed to find it, they held on for a crucial clean sheet and their first three points of the season.
Player Ratings & Key Performances
The victory was a true team effort for Bournemouth. Marcus Tavernier will get the headlines for his goal, but Antoine Semenyo was arguably the Man of the Match. His pace and work rate were a constant threat, and he was a central figure in most of the Cherries' attacks, including the one that led to the goal. Djordje Petrovic was also solid in goal, making a key save to preserve the clean sheet.
For Wolves, it was a difficult day. Goalkeeper Jose Sa was excellent despite the loss, making several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Toti Gomes's red card was a major turning point that put his team at a significant disadvantage for most of the second half.
What This Result Means for Both Teams
For Bournemouth, this is a huge win that gets their season up and running. After a tough opening-day loss, securing three points at home against a direct rival for a mid-table finish is a crucial confidence booster for Andoni Iraola's side.
For Wolves, the defeat marks a worrying start. With two losses from their first two games, manager Vitor Pereira will be under pressure to find a winning formula. The team's inability to create clear chances and the costly red card highlight areas that need immediate improvement if they are to climb out of the bottom three.
