EPL: Bournemouth Secure Europa League Spot with Draw at Forest

Bournemouth clinch first-ever European Qualification on final day

The result kept Bournemouth sixth, confirming a Europa League spot as Aston Villa did not move into fifth.

Marcus Tavernier equalized for Bournemouth after Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring for Forest...

Bournemouth drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season. The result was not enough for Champions League qualification, but it secured the club’s first-ever European berth and marked Andoni Iraola’s final game in charge.

The visitors knew overtaking Liverpool by six goals was unlikely. Their more realistic path relied on Aston Villa finishing fifth, which would push sixth place into a Champions League spot. With that out of reach, Bournemouth focused on holding up their end with a result at Forest.

Bournemouth looked set to extend their unbeaten run against Forest, having not lost in eight previous Premier League meetings. Alex Toth and Tyler Adams both went close in the opening minutes with efforts that just missed the target.

The momentum shifted when Forest struck on the counter, and the hosts created the better chances before taking the lead. Igor Jesus was denied by Dorde Petrovic at the near post, and Chris Wood headed against the post. Forest’s top scorer eventually broke through.

Omari Hutchinson laid the ball off from a free-kick to Morgan Gibbs-White, who drove it under the weakened Bournemouth wall and into the bottom corner.

Bournemouth had been quiet after their early chances, but they equalized shortly after half-time.

Adrien Truffert cut in from the left byline and played the ball back to Marcus Tavernier, who lifted a clever finish into the near top corner.

Iraola’s side kept pressing. Eli Junior Kroupi forced Matz Sels into a good save, and Adam Smith stepped in to stop Morgan Gibbs-White from restoring Forest’s lead.

Ending 25/26 with a point. ⏹️ pic.twitter.com/V8KKO0mow6

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 24, 2026

With other results not going Bournemouth’s way, both teams slowed the pace and saw out a quiet final 10 minutes.

The draw kept Bournemouth sixth in the table. Since Aston Villa did not drop to fifth, Bournemouth will enter next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Forest failed to beat Bournemouth again, extending their winless Premier League record against a side they have faced more than any other. Their place in the top flight is secure, and they will aim to build under Vitor Pereira after the summer.