On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Fulham and Bournemouth played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage, with the Cherries' Dango Ouattara rescuing a late equalizer to keep both teams’ unbeaten streaks alive at seven matches. The encounter showcased vibrant football and notable individual performances.
Bournemouth started the match strong, controlling much of the first half, but it was Fulham who took the lead five minutes before half-time. Raúl Jiménez, capitalizing on defensive lapses, scored with his header from the center of the box, assisted by Andreas Pereira's corner. This goal not only gave Fulham the advantage but also marked Jiménez's 53rd Premier League goal, tying him with Javier Hernández as the highest-scoring Mexican player in the league's history.
Coming back from the break, Bournemouth leveled the score just six minutes later. Brazilian forward Evanilson, ending his seven-game goal drought, scored with precision from the right side of the six-yard box, much to the delight of the visiting fans. The assist came from James Hill's precise cross, showcasing the quality of Bournemouth's attacking play.
Fulham again looked set for victory when Harry Wilson's beautiful header restored their lead with just over 18 minutes to play. Wilson connected perfectly with Antonee Robinson's cross, sending the ball past Bournemouth's goalkeeper Bernd Leno and firing up the home crowd.
But the drama didn't end there! Ouattara, introduced as a substitute, had other ideas. With the clock ticking down, he seized upon a loose ball inside the box in the 89th minute, coolly chipping Leno to secure a point for his team. This marked Ouattara's impact off the bench, preserving Bournemouth's status among the European hopefuls of the league.
The match statistics reflected the evenly matched contest, with both teams creating multiple chances. Fulham recorded 13 shots with five on target, compared to Bournemouth's 12 and four on target. With the draw, Fulham remains eighth on the Premier League table, having dropped 19 points from winning positions this season—the highest in the league. Bournemouth sits sixth, one point clear of their London rivals.
Fulham's Marco Silva expressed disappointment after the match, noting, "We should have secured all three points, especially after taking the lead twice. The players showed great resilience, but we need to learn to finish games off."
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola lauded his team’s spirit to come back twice, stating, “Our determination to fight back reflects the team’s character. Dango made the impact we needed, and his goal was pivotal for our standings.”
While both teams celebrated their continuation of unbeaten runs, they also face challenges ahead. Fulham will clash with Ipswich Town on January 5, 2025, as they aim to solidify their position, whereas Bournemouth will host Everton the day before, seeking to maintain their momentum.