Talking points from AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Everton

Before the international break, Enes Unal’s stoppage-time strike rescued a point against Sheffield United. A few days later, Andoni Iraola’s men completed an astonishing comeback to defeat Luton Town 4-3, having trailed by three goals at half-time.

Yesterday, things were ticking along quite nicely, with Dominic Solanke’s goal having them in front against Everton.

But two moments of madness in the closing stages, first Neto dropping the ball for Beto to equalise, before Seamus Coleman’s comical stoppage-time own goal saw Cherries run out 2-1 victors.

Here are some of the talking points from the win.

New midfield duo

For the first time all season, Cherries were without Ryan Christie.

The Scot has developed into a key player under Iraola, starting most games and even when he is on the bench, he tends to be one of the first men turned to to rescue a situation.

But, after picking up a knock whilst playing for Scotland last week, Christie was unavailable.

That meant a new-look central midfield partnership, with Tyler Adams slotting in alongside Lewis Cook.

The American’s return to fitness has certainly been timely and he showed what he could offer during his first start for the club.

Playing in the deeper role allowed Cook to play a bit more advanced. As such, the former Leeds United man had a handful of good shooting opportunities, notably wasting an early chance to break the deadlock. Cook would later be named as the sponsors’ man-of-the-match for his industrious display.

Alongside him, Adams instantly demonstrated the leadership qualities Iraola has previously referenced.

Despite limited game-time alongside his Cherries teammates due to injury this season, he had no qualms in bossing them about. After just five minutes, he was involved in a brief shouting row with Marcus Tavernier around who should be marking who, before quickly turning his ire to referee Sam Barrott, to protest a decision.

Later in the half, he was pushing and shoving Coleman off the ball.

Adams went on to complete the full 90 minutes, involved in a couple of flashpoints in the penalty area. He went down himself in the box towards the end of the first half, before appearing to trip Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the break, with the score goalless.

Everton boss Sean Dyche was left frustrated by the decision not to award his side a spot-kick, but Iraola felt neither were worthy of being a penalty.

Full-back options

With neither side able to find the breakthrough, Iraola turned to his bench for the first time just past the hour mark, changing his left-back with Lloyd Kelly coming on for Milos Kerkez.

He would not have known that seconds later, Kelly would have an assist to his name.

In his first appearance since mid-February, the former Bristol City man crossed for Solanke to power home a close-range header.

For the first time in many months, Iraola finally has all four of his top full-back options available for selection.

At right-back, both Adam Smith and Max Aarons have had injury issues this season, as have Kelly and Kerkez on the other side, with other players having to help out and fill in.

Kerkez, back in the team ahead of Dango Ouattara, produced a physical and hard-working display before being withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Smith, on his 200th Premier League appearance, also played a key role, with his late cross turned in at the back post by Coleman.

Having all four available to push each other again should only be a good thing in the coming weeks.

Neto nervousness

Not for the first time this season, there are question marks over goalkeeper Neto.

Many fans earlier this season were calling for Andrei Radu to be given a chance and now some are keen for Mark Travers to come into the side.

A lot of the criticism aimed at Cherries’ captain has come following a build-up of smaller errors such as poor distribution or lacking command of the penalty area.

Some players showed their frustrations at Neto’s distribution yesterday, nervousness also evident among the crowd as the 34-year-old put a few kicks out of play.

Against Everton was, as boss Iraola said, a clear “mistake” from the goalkeeper as he failed to deal with a late cross into the box and Beto equalised.

Fortunately for him and the team, a late Coleman own goal earned Cherries victory anyway.

It will be an interesting call going forwards whether Neto remains between the sticks.

What caught your eye from the game against Everton? Let us know in the comments below.