Sparta Prague 1-3 Bournemouth: Prague-ress Continues As Cherries Make European History

AFC Bournemouth became the second ever team to win their first four matches in a major European competition as they beat Sparta Prague 3-1 in the Europa League this evening.

A brilliant individual goal from Ebrima Singhateh had the Cherries down at the break, but goals from Tyler Adams, Evanilson and Rayan saw the seasiders increase their winning run to seven.

The result puts Bournemouth second in the Europa League table on a maximum 12 points. Sparta Prague remain in the play-off places in 22nd.

Sparta Prague started strong, with Jonatan Braut Brunes missing an open goal in just the second minute.

But Bournemouth were awarded a penalty against the run of play in the 28th minute for a handball against Ki-Jana Hoever from a David Brooks shot.

However, Lewis Cook’s spot kick hit the inside of the left-hand post and couldn’t be followed up.

Sparta Prague went on to take a deserved lead in the 35’s minute through a superb goal from Singhateh. The winger picked up the ball in his own half, running through the Bournemouth defence, taking a lovely touch past Cook to finish.

  But, just two minutes later, Sparta Prague suffered a blow through a red card to centre back Tobias Guddal.

The Norwegian brought down Alvaro Rodruigez unnecessarily for his second yellow, leaving his team a man down for the second half.

And Bournemouth made them suffer.

Half-time substitute Adams levelled for the Seasiders in the 57th minute, with the American finishing cutely as the ball fell to him just outside the box.

A triple substitution, who had been waiting on the sideline when Adam’s scored, turned up the class one step further.

  The introduction of Adrien Truffert, Evanilson and Rayan put Bournemouth well on the front foot against the 10-men opposition.

Ryan Chrisite’s neat assist allowed Evanilson to cut inside of his defender and guide the ball into the bottom right hand corner in the 81st minute.

And in the 90th minute, Rayan took his chances from long range as Sparta lost the ball in midfield.

The Brazilian settled any nerves and temporarily put the Cherries top of the Europa League table as his shot found the bottom right hand corner.

The result means Bournemouth now have seven wins on the bounce in all competitions, scoring 19 and conceding one.