Goals in either half by Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo secured a first Premier League win of the calendar year for AFC Bournemouth, leaving Burnley 11 points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest following their 11th home defeat of the season.

Bournemouth, who lost defender Marcos Senesi to injury in the first half, had not won a match since a 3-0 victory over Fulham on Boxing Day, while Burnley are now winless in nine matches.

Burnley’s 75 per cent possession was their most in a Premier League match to date, while their 20 shots was their joint-most in a game in the competition without scoring (also 20 v West Brom in August 2017). 

How the match unfolded

Vincent Kompany made three changes to the side beaten at Crystal Palace last time out. Josh Brownhill, ruled out following his sending-off at Selhurst Park, was replaced as captain by Josh Cullen, while Vitinho and Jacob Bruun Larsen came in for Johann Gudmundsson and Zeki Amdouni, who dropped to the substitutes' bench.

There were no changes for Bournemouth, who were boosted by the inclusion of Dominic Solanke after their top-scorer passed a late fitness test on a knee injury. Enes Unal, who had been struggling with a shoulder problem, was named as a substitute.

The Cherries were forced into making an early defensive change when central defender Senesi was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury, with Chris Mepham taking his place.

However, having been on the back foot for the opening 13 minutes, Bournemouth took the lead when Lewis Cook's forward punt was controlled by Kluivert, who turned Dara O'Shea and rifled a superb shot past James Trafford.

Burnley, led by tricky winger Wilson Odobert, prised and probed for an equaliser, with Vitinho's curling effort on 23 minutes dropping narrowly wide of the upright before Odobert went close from distance after Cullen had teed him up 10 minutes before the break.

Neto produced a stunning fingertip save on the goalline from Bruun Larsen's free-kick and Vitinho headed over from six yards following a corner as Burnley finished the half in the ascendency.

Kompany's side started the second half as they had finished the first and piled on the pressure.

Despite this, Bournemouth twice went twice close to doubling their lead with Solanke denied by Trafford and Marcus Tavernier shooting into the side-netting from a good position.

Cullen thought he had conjured an equaliser for Burnley after 66 minutes when he fired home from close range, but the goal was ruled out because of a foul by Bruun Larsen on Adam Smith in the process of nodding the ball down to Cullen.

Bournemouth kept their shape and discipline defensively to frustrate their hosts, and nearly caught Burnley out with 15 minutes remaining, but Semenyo swept a low effort just wide of the far post following a neat one-two with Solanke.

Andoni Iraola's side made the points safe in the 88th minute, with Cook again providing the assist, this time sending Semenyo down the right. He cut inside and drove a shot past Trafford with the help of a deflection off Charlie Taylor.

Bournemouth move up to 13th in the table, with 31 points. Burnley remain rooted second from bottom on 13 points.

This was the first time Bournemouth had named an unchanged starting XI in the Premier League under Iraola, with the Cherries last doing so in May 2023 under Gary O’Neil (v Chelsea).

Club reports

Burnley report | AFC Bournemouth report

Match officials

Referee: David Coote Assistants: Adam Nunn, Craig Taylor. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Tim Wood.