Bournemouth substitutes overturn Sparta Prague to extend winning run

What happened

Bournemouth came from behind to beat 10-man Sparta Prague 3-1 in the Europa League, with substitutes Tyler Adams, Evanilson and Rayan all scoring after coming off the bench, according to Sky Sports. The result extended Bournemouth's winning run to seven matches and left them top of the league-phase table, with four wins from four in their first European campaign.

Report details

Marco Rose made eight changes from the side that beat Leeds the previous Saturday. Bournemouth fell behind to a solo goal from Ebrima Singhateh, who ran from his own half to end Bournemouth's run of six games without conceding. The goal came five minutes after Lewis Cook had missed a penalty for the visitors, sending a low shot against the inside of the left post following a handball decision.

Within two minutes of the restart, Sparta were reduced to 10 men when centre-back Tobias Guddal received a second yellow card for hauling down striker Alvaro Rodriguez. Rose brought on Adams at half-time, and the midfielder equalised by meeting a loose ball just outside the area and placing a first-time shot into the bottom-left corner. Bournemouth then introduced Adrian Truffert, Marcus Tavernier, Evanilson and Rayan as they pushed for the win. Evanilson put them ahead after Ryan Christie found him in a crowded penalty box; he shifted the ball onto his right foot and rolled a shot inside the right post for his sixth goal in his last seven matches. Rayan sealed the result in the final minute with a low shot from 25 yards into the bottom-right corner.

Rose said the comeback away from home was a good sign for the team, noting that Bournemouth had changed eight players, missed a penalty and struggled at times against good opposition. He said his half-time message was to be clinical and good in counter-pressing, to stay composed and increase the speed of the game. He described Evanilson as a joy to watch and an important player, adding that having such quality on the bench makes him composed as a coach. On the seven-match winning run, Rose called it a big achievement but stressed the need to stay alert and sharp, warning that any comfort zone would bring trouble.

A Bournemouth player quoted in the report said the team had turned a page since a 5-1 loss to Chelsea, describing them as more mature in how they defend and in their mentality of denying the opposition room to breathe. The player said competition within the squad breeds success and praised Evanilson's finishing, noting his extra work after training and the confidence the team has when he is around the box.