Bournemouth surged up to sixth in the Premier League as they boosted their European hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The Cherries raced out of the blocks against a Palace side featuring five changes from the 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals.
Their opener was a fortunate one as Jefferson Lerma’s ill-judged attempt at a headed clearance ended with him diverting the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Junior Kroupi doubled the lead from the spot in the 32nd minute following a dubious penalty award, before fellow 19-year-old Rayan made the game safe 13 minutes from the end of normal time.
Bournemouth leapfrog Brighton and Hove Albion, beaten by Newcastle United on Saturday, and Brentford into sixth place and are in an excellent position to play European football for the first time in their history next season.
Bournemouth cruise into sixth
Bournemouth were rewarded for a bright start in bizarre fashion as Palace afforded Evanilson too much space at a corner. His header appeared to be drifting wide but, under pressure from Kroupi at the far post, Lerma headed the ball back towards goal, and Dean Henderson was unable to prevent it from crossing the line.
Evanilson then lashed over after more sloppy play from Palace before Rayan was unable to keep a header down from Alex Jimenez’s cross as Bournemouth pushed for a second.
Henderson kept the Palace deficit at one as he repelled Marcus Tavernier’s low drive as the visitors were carved open again, but he was at fault as Bournemouth were gifted a second.
The Palace goalkeeper spilled a long throw as he collided with Jaydee Canvot, Marcos Senesi went down as Henderson scrambled to recover the ball, and referee Robert Jones had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Replays suggested contact was minimal and obviously unintentional, but VAR Peter Bankes confirmed the decision and Kroupi whipped the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom-left corner.
Palace did not have a single shot in the first half, but that quickly changed after the introductions of Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton and Ismaila Sarr, though they continued to be troubled by the Bournemouth attack, with Rayan sending another header over.
The Eagles, despite an improved showing after the interval, never threatened a comeback and Rayan ended any lingering hopes they might have had when the Brazilian latched onto David Brooks’ pass and fired confidently across Henderson and into the far corner.
Sarr hit the post late on and then dragged wide from another opportunity, summing up a day Palace will want to quickly forget.
