Bournemouth

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Club captain Adam Smith spoke to TNT Sports after Bournemouth's victory against Sturm Graz: "It has been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we're very happy with the performance."

On Evanilson's header: "It wasn't my best cross but I put it in an area, what a finish from him and I think we deserved that little bit of luck. From there on we went on to win the game but in the second half we got a little bit tired but the quality that came off the bench is great and we look forward to Sunday now.

"It's a great header, he deserved it because he has worked very hard this season and many more to come from him."

On whether this result could be a springboard: "It was very disappointing at the weekend [defeat against Chelsea], we let ourselves down as players. We had a chat with each other, we got a reaction today. That's an AFC Bournemouth performance right there and the week's not done. We've got a massive one on Sunday against Sunderland and we need to get another three points."

Midfielder Lewis Cook also spoke to TNT Sports: "I thought the performance was top. It was a special night, you could feel that before the game, when were lining up as players. The atmosphere was great. It was a top performance, we bounced back from the weekend and it was something we can be very proud of."

On starting with two wins from two in the Europa League: "It is all new to us. All I know is that when you win game sit is good. Hopefully we can use the momentum and carry on."

Listen to more match reaction from Lewis Cook below or on BBC Sounds here

Marco Rose spoke to TNT Sports after Bournemouth's victory against Sturm Graz: "Performance-wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort - a deserved win and now we have to continue, have to get consistent in these things and Sunderland is the next challenge."

On what pleased him most: "I believe in this team and know they are always confident despite a difficult situation. The squad is working, everyone is keen to play, everyone deserves to play and its good for us for the busy weeks to have a competitive squad."

On how Bournemouth can build on this: "If we stick together and play like this and we have our fans then we are hard to play and it's hard to beat us. That's what we should take into the next game."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth are the first English team to win their first two matches in major European competition since Bolton Wanderers in the 2005-06 UEFA Cup.

• Rayan is the first player under the age of 21 to score in an English club's first two major European matches since an 18-year-old Jimmy Greaves for Chelsea in 1958.

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It was a night no Bournemouth supporter will forget.

Less than 20 years after completing one of the greatest escapes in English Football League history following a 17-point deduction, the Cherries were celebrating back-to-back wins in the Europa League.

It was little wonder there was no rush for supporters to leave their seats after the final whistle, with the game, which attracted the highest attendance in the stadium's history, proving to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

It was a night filled with heartwarming moments. First, the club's longest-serving player, Adam Smith, who initially joined the Cherries in 2011 when they were a League One side, provided the cross for Evanilson to head home the opener after a dominant first-half performance from Marco Rose's side.

After offering little threat in the first half, the visitors, who were competing in the Champions League as recently as 2024, looked determined to spoil the party as they began to pepper Petrovic's goal.

It would have been easy for Bournemouth to crack under the pressure of the occasion, particularly given their tendency to throw away leads in the Premier League this season.

But this historic night had a fairytale ending, as Bournemouth, backed by the firepower from their bench - another sign of how far the club has come since the dark days of 2008 - powered to victory, ensuring the 12,000 supporters watching on home soil would have a night to remember.

If the fans thought this would never be topped, they might want to wait until AC Milan visit the south coast next week.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Lyon v Crystal Palace (17:45)

• Torreense v Sunderland (17:45)

• Bournemouth v Sturm Graz

• Brighton v Kaunos Zalgiris

See the fixture lists in full here

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

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Bournemouth captain Adam Smith says he "would have never believed" he would be leading the side out for a European home game when he first joined the club 16 years ago.

Smith, now 35, initially joined on loan from Tottenham for the 2010-11 season, just after the Cherries had been promoted from League Two.

He then returned on a permanent basis in January 2014 with the club in the Championship and has been part of their journey ever since.

"When I first joined I ever expected to be playing in Europe, or finishing in the top six like we did last season, and performing at this level. I would never have believed it," Smith told a news conference before Bournemouth host Sturm Graz on Thursday.

There is the potential for the highest attendance at Vitality Stadium since it was reconfigured in 2001, with the filled-in north-west and south-east corner sections now complete and available for use.

Because of Uefa's long-standing ban on stadium sponsor names, it will officially be Bournemouth Stadium for the evening, even if many of the home fans still call it Dean Court.

Smith described the ground when he arrived, which had only recently acquired a fourth stand, as "not great" and praised the supporters who have been along for the ride.

"For the club and the fans, it's amazing. As a player, obviously it's great to play in, but it's just another game for me and the lads," he added.

"The fans will be there with us, supporting us. Especially after a difficult weekend, we are going to need them. It's up to us to bring the performance and the atmosphere on the night.

"There's more fans in the stadium and it's a big night for the club. I'm sure it can bring a little bit more atmosphere. "

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Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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As Bournemouth's wait for a Premier League win goes on, the relentless nature of the season leaves little time to dwell on Saturday's nightmare 5-1 defeat at Chelsea, when the Cherries conceded twice in the first three minutes of the first half, and again in the opening minute of the second half.

Depending on your pre-existing opinions regarding the "expected goals" metric, the fact that Chelsea only had an xG of 1.08 compared to Bournemouth's 1.46 will either confirm your view of xG's irrelevance, or perhaps point to how Chelsea's clinical finishing made the difference, with only six shots on target but five goals scored.

However, Bournemouth's focus must now be on Thursday's Europa League game with Sturm Graz, which promises to be a historic night at Vitality Stadium - which, because of Uefa's long-standing ban on stadium sponsor names, will officially be "Bournemouth Stadium" for the evening, even if many of the home fans will still just call it Dean Court.

Not only is it Bournemouth's first home European game, there is the potential for the highest home attendance since the stadium was reconfigured in 2001 (with the pitch turned through 90 degrees), with the filled-in north-west and south-east corner sections now complete and available for use.

Sturm were runners-up in last season's Austrian Bundesliga, dropping out of this season's Champions League after the third qualifying round.

They will be looking to improve on last season's Europa League record, where they lost five of their eight league phase games and finished 26th, failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

On the same night, Sunderland travel to Portuguese side Torreense, before the Black Cats visit Bournemouth on Sunday.

It feels like a big week for Bournemouth. Two home wins would very much restore the feelgood factor, no wins would only increase the sense that 2026-27 could be a long and difficult season.

Explore Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz at The Vitality Stadium (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Rose said he is "looking forward" to having Amine Adli and Justin Kluivert back in the squad for Thursday's game. Adline has not featured yet this season as he recovers from a calf injury, while Kluivert has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem.

• He added that Eli Junior Kroupi is "back on the pitch and maybe in a few weeks we have him as well". Last season's top scorer is stepping up his recovery from a foot injury sustained during the Cherries' pre-season training camp in Austria.

• Rose stressed having stars like Kroupi and fellow absentee Alex Scott back is "important" as "they can make the difference".

• He said the injury situation surrounding his squad is "getting better", and he has no new injuries from Sunday's defeat at Chelsea. A few players were suffering from an illness over the last few days but are "all good now".

• Asked about reports the club could be willing to sell Scott in January, Rose said: "We just closed the other transfer window and we talk about the next one. Me and the club are just focused on the game tomorrow and not commenting on rumours that show up right after the other window closes. We are looking to have him back in a couple of days or weeks and we continue with Alex Scott. He is quite committed - that is what everyone can see in the first games."

• Reflecting on the 5-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, Rose said: "We want and have to show a reaction. The only good thing out of this game is we got a real slap result-wise. If you start a game like we started the task is getting much more difficult. I felt after the game everyone was really disappointed. We got a real slap and now we have to show a reaction."

• On leading Bournemouth into their first ever European home match, Rose said: "I understand it very well because I know the club and its history now much better. It is an outstanding journey the club have had the last years with all the things the club suffered. Now we are playing Europe and we have to find the balance. We want to compete everywhere, that is still the plan. Tomorrow we have the chance to show our club for the first time at home in European football. It is a big thing."

• On not winning a game yet in the Premier League: "We have to stick together. We are in a not so comfortable situation points-wise in the Premier League. We know we are able to get points out of games, can perform well, and are confident enough. It's about proving these kind of things again."

• On Thursday's opponents, who Rose faced during his time as RB Salzburg boss: "The Austrian league has improved a lot in the last few years, especially Sturm Graz. When I was there it was mostly about Salzburg but now other teams have come up. They are experienced in the Champions League and they are competitors. They are high-pressing, really intense and close to Premier League level."

Bournemouth are open to selling England midfielder Alex Scott in January under certain conditions.

After a final round of talks with his representatives, senior sources say the Cherries are willing to sanction Scott's sale if an offer of about £100m arrives in January.

Another condition will be Bournemouth's position in the Premier League table. If they are struggling towards the bottom of the league then the club may decide they need Scott to help secure survival.

The decision to consider Scott's sale is a bitter-sweet one for the Cherries.

The club entered the season insisting none of their prized assets, including Scott, Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi, would be sold before the summer of 2027.

However, they have since reluctantly concluded they would be prepared to let Scott leave if their valuation is met.

Bournemouth can point to a market in which spending on midfielders has reached unprecedented levels across the Premier League.

Three players have commanded fees of more than £100m in the position and the Cherries are seeking a similar amount for Scott.

A TransferRoom report, released on Tuesday, shows spending on defensive midfielders rose by "191% to 1.38bn euros , while the average fee increased by 156% to 9.9m euros - the highest average fee of any position."

There is also frustration within the club that Scott picked up an injury while away with England.

He entered the camp carrying tightness, only for the issue to worsen and leave him sidelined for about six weeks.

That came after Kroupi sustained a serious injury in pre-season, causing him to miss the entire campaign so far, with a return not expected until November.

New manager Marco Rose is yet to win a league match, with the 5-1 defeat by Chelsea representing the lowest point of his tenure so far.

There remains hope results will improve. Andoni Iraola endured an even longer winless run when he first took charge, while there is excitement surrounding Bournemouth's Europa League campaign.

Their European adventure began with an impressive win against Real Sociedad and continues with a home game against Sturm Graz on Thursday.

Read the full article here

Listen to more from Nizaar by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.

And every one could in some way claim to have been left financially out of pocket.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discussed Bournemouth's winless start to the Premier League season and the added pressure of European football.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says competing on both fronts might be a "season too much", for the Cherries.

"They haven't got off to a flyer and the games are going to come thick and fast," Sutton added.

When asked if Bournemouth could cope with a relegation battle, he said: "Are they battle-hardened enough to really grind out results? Marco Rose isn't that kind of manager. He is a front-foot, aggressive manager with attacking principles.

"The Premier League is hard enough as it is, but when you have to score three goals to win a game, that's not easy."

Listen to the full episode on on BBC Sounds

Chelsea are willing to meet Bournemouth's asking price for midfielder Alex Scott in January, although the Cherries are still hopeful he will sign a new deal. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Alan: It was a good, entertaining game, with Rogers and Henderson on fire. I still held my breath every time the ball got anywhere near our defence, which needs to seriously sort themselves out. Another game where our club captain James was not present. I think we need a new, more permanent club captain.

George: That performance has given me hope that we can still compete for at least a Champions League place this season. Much better compared with the Brentford match.

Phil: Much better from Chelsea apart from 10 minutes after the goal. Our front three are the best in the league - if others, like Henderson, can chip in with a few then we will beat most teams.

Keith: Generally a very good performance, but I still fear for us when playing the better teams. Defensively, we looked more solid but there is still work to do. Lacroix isn't the answer bceause he is slow and not commanding in the air for such a big man.

Bournemouth fans

Simon: The performance was reminiscent of our Scott Parker episode; utterly dismal and lost. We couldn't keep possession, couldn't string three passes together and had no outlets to find our strikers. It's hard to see how get ourselves out of this mess.

Patrick: Dismal display of second-rate football. We've lost our mojo from last season. We need some significant changes to our style of play if we're going to stay up.

Jools: A strong dose of reality. The Cherries are never good after an international break. With our best players missing we look bang ordinary. This might be a hard position to escape from.

James: I know it sounds unambitious but as long as we finish at least 17th this season I'll be happy. Ultimately we are among teams much much bigger than us and we compete well most of the time. We also need to remember it took Andoni 10 games to get his first win and things turned out well in the long run.

Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak says the squad need to "knuckle down and stick together" as the wait for their first Premier League win of the season goes on.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after coming on in the 5-1 defeat at Chelsea, he said: "We're near the bottom of the table. We've only got three points from six games. Hopefully we can turn that around."

On his own game time, he added: "I'm working, trying to be positive, trying to make things happen - that's all a winger can really do when they're trying to break into a side.

"I'm not too worried about taking risks, especially when you're already losing by a big margin so, trying to make a difference and trying to play the risky ball that can get a high reward.

"Obviously, it's down to the manager to trust me and put me in, and it's down to me to gain his trust so, hopefully, I can keep doing that.

"It's a long season ahead. Hopefully, I can just stay fit, keep going and, as a group, we can knuckle down and stick together to get out of this tough spot."

Hear the interview in full below or listen on BBC Sounds here

BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark and former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington dissect a heavy 5-1 defeat at Chelsea.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Bournemouth's winless run had previously been defined by conceding late goals, but early goals were the problem on Saturday.

They were arguably unfortunate to fall behind to Jordan Henderson's fine strike, but they were poor in possession throughout the first half and invited pressure.

That's exactly what happened as Morgan Rogers curled in Chelsea's second of the match.

Two goals down after two minutes and 30 seconds, it was always going to be difficult to take anything from Chelsea, but another mistake by Silva moments after the interval will be a concern for Rose.

It is only the second time Bournemouth have failed to win any of their opening six matches of a Premier League season.

The previous occasion came under Rose's predecessor Andoni Iraola, who went nine games without a win before becoming arguably the most successful manager in the club's modern history.

There are, of course, problems the German coach could not have accounted for as he tries to balance their league form with a first European campaign.

He lost star midfielder Alex Scott to injury over the international break after he started his first game for England despite carrying a knock in the build-up to the match.

Scott is now expected to be out for up to six weeks, while key attacker Eli Junior Kroupi remains is not due back until November after suffering a significant injury in pre-season.

"We played not good so it was a deserved loss, especially if we start how we started in both halves of the game," said Rose.

"We know Chelsea is a team that starts well and scores many goals at the beginning of the game. It's my fault we didn't react well to this information.

"In the past games, we struggled despite good performances with poor moments. Today, we struggled but had some good moments.

"We were not ready, not sharp enough, even our pressing was not Bournemouth-like in many situations. We just didn't play a good game and this can happen. We need to face the reality of three points from six games."

Bournemouth manager Marco Rose, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Chelsea: "If you concede two times so early...it's too much against Chelsea. We didn't react in the right way. It was a really bad performance by us today. The last games we had some good performance but today we struggled.

"Three points after six games, we need a reaction. Everyone has to take the responsibility to do better. We knew it was going to be a demanding season. We have to stick together and face reality. The reality is we have three points after six games.

"Even after we scored I felt we maybe get back in the game but we were not clinical enough. It was a tough game but our performance was not good enough.

"We are still a good squad. We have good players. Some of them need to get into a rhythm [after injury]. It is important to suffer no more injuries. We need to win a game to get more confidence."

Hear more from Rose on BBC Sounds