Archive April 19, 2025

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola gave a coy response when asked about his future after Saturday’s frustrating goalless draw at Crystal Palace, but Cherries supporters will be desperate for the Spaniard to extend his stay at Vitality Stadium.

The draw at Selhurst Park lifted Iraola’s team to 49 points – a club record in the Premier League – with five games remaining, surpassing their tally of 48 in Iraola’s first season.

Bournemouth were disappointed not to claim all three points in south London after failing to capitalise on Palace defender Chris Richards’ first-half dismissal, but Iraola – whose existing deal is set to expire next summer – could yet guide the Cherries into Europe for the first time in their history.

Owner Bill Foley is due to attend next weekend’s game at home to Manchester United before talks with the 42-year-old former Rayo Vallecano manager.

Tottenham are reported to be interested in securing Iraola’s services after a disappointing campaign under Ange Postecoglou, while reports have also linked him to Real Madrid as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.

However, sources at Bournemouth suggest Iraola is open to extending his time on the south coast.

“We’ll talk, but nothing special,” Iraola, who was appointed in June 2023, told BBC Match of the Day after Saturday’s stalemate.

The Spaniard was also quick to deny reports that talks have already started about a contract extension.

He went on to describe the result as a “missed opportunity” for his side, but former Brighton striker Glenn Murray says the Cherries are heading firmly in the right direction.

In December 2023 – a year after taking control of the club – Foley said he was confident Bournemouth would qualify for Europe within the next five years.

After following an impressive 2023-24 campaign with another outstanding season including wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle, Iraola could be about to lead the Cherries into continental competition far quicker than Foley or anyone else had anticipated.

They could end the weekend eight points outside the top seven, but eighth place may still be enough to secure Conference League football in 2024-25.

For a club who were playing in League One as recently as 2013, it is a tantalising prospect.

Indeed, Iraola’s downcast demeanour following Saturday’s draw only serves to highlight how far Bournemouth have come.

“We cannot be happy with this point,” he said. “Before the game, [we thought a draw] is not a bad result, coming to a stadium this difficult.

“But considering how the game has gone, we cannot be happy. I feel we have not used the extra player in the proper way. “

Bournemouth were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men themselves after referee Sam Barratt opted against showing midfielder Alex Scott a second yellow card 10 minutes before Richards’ dismissal.

It may be nothing more than a silver lining for Iraola and his players, but the point does at least extend Bournemouth’s unbeaten league run to three games – their longest streak since going 11 games without defeat between November 2024 and January 2025.

“Iraola has been able to grow and develop his squad,” former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Final Score. “They have been able to establish themselves in the Premier League.

“He is very tactically astute and uses his bench well, which is a credit to his in-game management and squad depth. “

Next up for Bournemouth is a home match against Manchester United, a team they beat 3-0 at Old Trafford this season.

British teenager Arvid Lindblad made history by becoming the youngest winner in Formula 2 history in Saudi Arabia.

Red Bull junior Lindblad, aged 17 years and 243 days, won the sprint race ahead of Campos Racing team-mate Pepe Marti and McLaren development driver Alex Dunne.

Irish teenager Dunne, who claimed his first F2 victory in Bahrain, is now tied for the lead of the championship with Spain’s Marti before Sunday’s feature race.

The podium trio capitalised on a penalty for Dutch driver Richard Verschoor, who took the chequered flag in first place but had five seconds added on to his race time for forcing Marti off the track earlier in the race.

“I’m really happy with the result today, youngest ever F2 race winner,” Lindblad said after the race.

“A huge thank you to the team – a really good race coming from sixth to first.

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

The Premier League has been littered with deadly strike partnerships over the years.

But you can add another duo to the long list of double acts: Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

The pair both scored in Brentford’s 4-2 win against Brighton, with Mbeumo scoring two before Wissa added the Bees’ third.

It was the seventh time they have both got on the scoresheet in the same game this season.

With five matches left this season, Mbeumo and Wissa’s chances of breaking a Premier League record are still alive.

The seven matches the pair have both scored in this season is a campaign-high, ahead of the six that Liverpool’s Salah and Cody Gakpo have both netted in.

But the Brentford duo will have their eyes on matching – or even beating – the Premier League record, jointly-held by Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah (twice).

Salah and Firmino both scored in 10 matches in the 2017-18 campaign, while the Egyptian equalled his own record with Senegal winger Mane in the 2021-22 season.

Their goals against Brighton meant Mbeumo and Wissa have scored in the same match for the 18th time during their Brentford careers.

Only seven pairings in Premier League history have a better overall record.

“That’s an incredible achievement from the two of them,” said manager Frank after the win against Brighton.

“When you consistently over the past six seasons have produced top scorers, that must be something we’re doing right.

“I’m happy that Mbeumo is shining and is the main man now for us. But I think it’s a duo.

“Wissa is fantastic. He has scored actually more open-play goals than Brian. But Brian is the penalty taker, unbelievable at penalties, assists, work ethic, an unbelievable player. “