EPL: Bournemouth Suffer Second Consecutive Home Defeat as Wolves Win 2-1

Bournemouth's recent form was halted by a determined Wolverhampton Wanderers side, who won 2-1 to claim a vital three points in their battle for Premier League survival.

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a vital victory in their battle for Premier League survival, defeating 10-man AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. This win marked a significant milestone for Wolves, as they moved clear of the relegation zone and boosted their chances of staying up. Bournemouth, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive Premier League defeat on home soil, a rare occurrence since October 2023.

AFC Bournemouth's recent form had suggested that they would easily dispatch relegation-threatened Wolves. However, Vitor Pereira's side had other plans, making a bright start to the match. Nélson Semedo's driving run into the box culminated in a shot that struck the post, and Kepa Arrizabalaga produced an outstanding reactive save to deny Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's rebound attempt. Wolves continued to enjoy the better of the early exchanges, with the sunshine on the south coast seemingly energizing their performance.

As the match progressed, Wolves maintained their pressure on the Bournemouth goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga was again called upon to make a crucial save, this time pushing away Matheus Cunha's long-range attempt. The Wolves players were relentless in their pursuit of an opening goal, and their persistence would eventually pay off as they secured a vital three points in their fight for Premier League survival.

Bournemouth's fortunes took a drastic turn for the worse on the half-hour mark, as Illia Zabarnyi's ill-timed challenge was upgraded to a straight red card after a review. This setback was swiftly compounded when Matheus Cunha found himself unmarked and unopposed, firing Wolves into the lead from just eight yards out. The Cherries attempted to respond by pushing forward, but Wolves effectively utilized their numerical advantage to navigate the remainder of a increasingly fractious first half.

Matheus Cunha's goal makes it back-to-back home defeats for Bournemouth 🐺#BOUWOL pic.twitter.com/MJitwbyBPH

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 22, 2025

The second half saw both teams create attacking opportunities, but neither side was able to capitalize on their chances. Wolves, in particular, were guilty of squandering a gilt-edged opportunity when Marshall Munetsi steered a seemingly straightforward finish wide of the target from close range. Bournemouth, uncharacteristically lacking their usual attacking flair, struggled to craft an equalizer against a resolute Wolves defense. As a result, the game gradually slipped away from the Cherries, who ultimately fell to defeat against a Wolves outfit that remains unbeaten at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Wolves, as they secured their fourth Premier League win under Vitor Pereira. This result propels Wolves five points clear of the bottom three, providing a crucial boost to their survival hopes. In contrast, the defeat represents a rare off-day for high-flying Bournemouth, whose European ambitions remain firmly intact despite this setback.