Rayan the difference as Bournemouth edge Fulham to extend incredible unbeaten run

[p]With UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification a genuine possibility for both sides, there was plenty at stake here, emphasised by an energetic start to the contest.[/p][p]Starting up front for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fulham/69ZiU2Om/"]Fulham[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodrigo-muniz/A5ZlWABs/"]Rodrigo Muniz[/a] hadn’t scored in any competition since the opening Premier League weekend, and he should have done better when directing his firm header the wrong side of the near post.[/p][p]Clear-cut chances had been at a premium when the momentum threatened to swing in the hosts’ favour, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bournemouth/OtpNdwrc/"]Bournemouth[/a] reduced to 10 men thanks to a studs-up challenge from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/christie-ryan/hWTaBxeh/"]Ryan Christie[/a] on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/castagne-timothy/xYfOMcA5/"]Timothy Castagne[/a].[/p][p]The Cottagers almost made their numerical advantage immediately count, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/andersen-joachim/AmMLTTJU/"]Joachim Andersen[/a] could only find the crossbar with his header from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wilson-harry/KWbu7UwK/"]Harry Wilson[/a]’s inswinging cross.[/p][p]The first shot on target of the half didn’t arrive until [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lukic-sasa/nwu2UvUA/"]Sasa Lukic[/a] tested [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/petrovic-dorde/2F8I5Zyo/"]Dorde Petrovic[/a] from range in stoppage time, yet there was still time for more drama as Andersen’s season came to an abrupt end following a straight red card - Fulham’s first of the season - for a reckless tackle on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/truffert-adrien/WQprkBYj/"]Adrien Truffert[/a].[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="09222374-989b-41f2-b0a8-0c5add9311fa" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="6a6d1cb7-8082-4561-a74f-23f8089047ce" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p]Goalless at the break, it looked to be an open second period with both sides depleted, and within eight minutes of the restart, the deadlock was broken.[/p][p][b]Bournemouth were the side on the front foot, coming close when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kroupi-eli-junior/fHMXip22/"]Eli Junior Kroupi[/a] bent an effort onto the crossbar from the edge of the box, and from a similar position, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rayan/CSiH3dM4/"]Rayan[/a] went one better, sending a bouncing strike beyond Petrovic for his third goal in as many matches.[/b][/p][p]Fulham have now kept just one clean sheet in 11 home games, and having failed to score in six of their last eight in all competitions heading into this, had a real task on their hands.[/p][embed guid="6e78875c-5348-443a-86bd-98a83d766e4a" url="https://x.com/afcbournemouth/status/2053135848808264189" social-type="twitter" /][p]The hosts pushed for a leveller, yet it was Rayan who almost grabbed the game’s second after a lung-busting run had the Cottagers panicking.[/p][p]Substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adli-amine/82ETy0Me/"]Amine Adli[/a] then miskicked with the goal at his mercy, before [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/king-joshua/tnnZhru5/"]Josh King[/a] rattled the underside of the crossbar at the other end in stoppage time, ultimately keeping the scores level.[/p][p]A first win in five trips to Fulham (D3, L1) to keep Andoni Iraola’s side sixth, closing the gap on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a] to three points, albeit having played a game more. Nonetheless, sixth place may well be enough to secure UCL football should the Villans stay fifth and go on to win the UEFA Europa League.[/p][p]The prospect of claiming a spot in Europe’s premier competition is now over for Marco Silva’s side, yet some form of European qualification remains possible, especially ahead of a trip to bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/petrovic-dorde/2F8I5Zyo/"]Dorde Petrovic[/a] (Bournemouth)[/b][/p][image alt="Match stats" id="149af0c2-8759-41dc-89ef-be6ede7b5c46" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="a8586beb-e762-44a3-aef6-c7e612a4a0bd" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/fulham-69ZiU2Om/?mid=2iZkrv3E"]Click here to see all the stats of the match[/a].[/b][/p]