Bournemouth 3-0 Fulham

Fulham fell to Boxing Day defeat against an in-form Bournemouth side on Tuesday afternoon.

An opener from Justin Kluivert just before half-time was supplemented by a Dominic Solanke penalty after an hour and then a Luis Sinisterra strike in stoppage time to give the Cherries the points.

Marco Silva made a pair of swaps from the defeat against Burnley last time out, with Kenny Tete and Bobby De Cordova-Reid coming in for Timothy Castagne and Harry Wilson.

This fixture marked our manager’s 117^th game in charge of the Whites - the most games he’s managed at any club in his career so far.

Fulham started strong and brought the game to the Cherries in the opening stages. Alex Iwobi was on the ball frequently and almost caused trouble in the sixth minute when his cross to the back post had to be put behind by Dango Ouattara to prevent De Cordova-Reid getting to it.

Fresh from a hattrick in his last game, Solanke looked to open the scoring moments later after a neat slot through from Kluivert, but Tosin did well to block his effort at goal.

Roles were reversed on the half hour mark when Solanke rolled in Kluivert down the left, but the same man was there again as Tosin slid in to block the shot.

Andoni Iraola’s side were on top as the first half closed out, and after a pinpoint switch of play by Marcus Tavernier, Ouattara’s snapshot almost crept in at the near post and had to be smartly parried by Bernd Leno.

Bournemouth did go into the break in front, as a fruitful run forward from Alex Scott allowed Kluivert a pop at goal which he squeezed under Leno.

Fulham began the second half as they did the first, on the front foot, and a couple of Antonee Robinson’s crosses from the left had to be intercepted by Neto in the Bournemouth net as we forced the issue.

After Muniz did well to win a free-kick 30 yards from goal, Andreas was unlucky to slip at the vital moment but was still able to get a shot on target which Neto had to stop.

The home side won themselves a penalty with half an hour remaining as Antoine Semenyo was adjudged to have been put to the ground by João Palhinha, and Solanke tucked it home to double the lead.

Bournemouth appealed for another spot kick minutes later when Robinson was involved in a challenge in the box after Calvin Bassey had done so well to block Solanke’s shot, but there was nothing doing in the end.

Muniz managed an effort of his own next, volleying Palhinha’s looping ball over the top, but it wasn’t enough to trouble the ‘keeper.

There was just about time for Bournemouth to add a third deep into stoppage time, as Sinisterra cut inside before rifling one home to compile Fulham's misery.

We go again against Arsenal at the Cottage on New Year's Eve.