Bournemouth 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Marcus Tavernier winner adds relegation pressure onto Vitor Pereira

Bournemouth emerged as 1-0 winners against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon at the Vitality Stadium in the second matchweek of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

The home side opened the scoring before the fifth minute after they applied intense pressure, winning the ball back in a dangerous central position near the penalty area, though Marcus Tavernier's strike took a big deflection and luckily bounced in off the crossbar.

Wolves would start the second half in disastrous fashion, with defender Toti Gomes sent off for a last-man challenge on striker Evanilson, and they were unable to claw their way back into contention.

The win sees the Cherries collect their first points of the campaign, and they are now in ninth place with three points, whereas Wolves are 19th with no points from two matches.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola will be pleased that despite losing a number of key players over the summer, his squad have still been able to showcase their qualities.

Bournemouth looked vulnerable at the back against Liverpool in the opening matchweek, which was understandable considering three of their starting back four from 2024-25 have left, but they managed to gold on for a clean sheet against the visitors.

There may still be 36 matches left to play this term, but Wolves' situation is concerning, especially as they look blunt in the final third without Matheus Cunha.

It is too soon to say whether head coach Vitor Pereira's side will be facing a serious battle to stay in the division, but the signs do not look promising.

BOURNEMOUTH VS. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS HIGHLIGHTS

4th min: Bournemouth 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Marcus Tavernier)

Bournemouth apply high pressure in a central zone near Wolves' box after initially losing possession, and Antoine Semenyo manages to collect the ball before playing in Tavernier, who strikes an attempt from the left across goal and sees his shot bounce in after a deflection from Emmanuel Agbadou.

Bournemouth's trademark press!

35th min: Ki-Jana Hoever (Wolverhampton Wanderers) injury

Ki-Jana Hoever comes off the pitch as a result of a knee injury that he sustained earlier in the match, with Jackson Tchatchoua taking his place and making his debut.

Not the ideal first half for Wolves!

49th min: Toti Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) red card

Bournemouth striker Evanilson races through on goal, but he is shoved in the back by Wolves defender Toti Gomes, who is shown a straight red card.

From bad to worse for the visitors!

MAN OF THE MATCH - ANTOINE SEMENYO

Semenyo was once again Bournemouth's best offensive player, producing the most shots (four), registering the most touches inside the opposition box (10) and creating the second most chances (three) of any player on the pitch.

Cherries midfielder Alex Scott was also excellent on Saturday, but Semenyo played the full 90, whereas the former was taken off in the 66th minute.

BOURNEMOUTH VS. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS MATCH STATS

Possession: Bournemouth 59%-41% Wolverhampton Wanderers

Shots: Bournemouth 14-6 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Shots on target: Bournemouth 4-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Corners: Bournemouth 8-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Fouls: Bournemouth 13-16 Wolverhampton Wanderers

BEST STATS

Marcus Tavernier scores his first goal of the season to give Bournemouth the lead against Wolves!? #BOUWOL pic.twitter.com/JEw52oaAi8
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) August 23, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Bournemouth begin their EFL Cup campaign on Tuesday at home against Brentford, but they return to league action next Saturday against hosts Tottenham Hotspur.

As for Wolves, they will welcome fellow strugglers West Ham United to Molineux on Tuesday in the EFL Cup before hosting Everton in the Premier League on August 30.