Evanilson leads Bournemouth past Sunderland for first league win of season

Bournemouth secured their first Premier League victory of the season against Sunderland on Sunday, with Evanilson creating the opening goal before adding the second. The Guardian's match report described a result that ended manager Marco Rose's wait for a league win, while Sunderland remained in the bottom three after a fourth successive league defeat.

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The breakthrough followed a forward pass from Lewis Cook and confusion between Sunderland defenders Kevin Danso and Omar Alderete. Evanilson took advantage but chose to set up Marcus Tavernier rather than attempt a finish himself. Tavernier met the delivery with a diving header, giving Bournemouth an early lead before the visitors suffered another significant setback in the 17th minute.

Danso was sent off after bringing down Evanilson as the striker moved beyond him, with referee Craig Pawson dismissing the defender for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Bournemouth continued to create chances against the remaining 10 players. Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs was repeatedly called into action before the interval, as Rayan and Evanilson found space in the visiting defence.

Evanilson later made the lead more comfortable after intercepting a misplaced back-pass from Alderete. He wrong-footed Roefs and finished into the unguarded goal. According to the Guardian, Bournemouth had attempted 29 shots by the 70th minute, with a Rayan header among the opportunities kept out when it was cleared off the line. Sunderland produced a late spell of pressure, but Bournemouth retained possession to see out the contest.

Both managers had made five changes from their Thursday Europa League fixtures. Rose brought in James Hill, Adrien Truffert and Rayan following Bournemouth's home victory over Sturm Graz, while Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris restored Granit Xhaka after the trip to Torreense. Sunderland were without Brian Brobbey, who had been on the bench in Portugal following an injury sustained on international duty; Timur Tutierov started up front and was substituted before the hour.

The outcome separated two clubs that finished sixth and seventh last season but have struggled to reproduce those domestic results while competing in Europe. Sunderland have not won a league match since August. Bournemouth, meanwhile, protected an advantage after previously dropping nine points from winning positions and now turn towards Thursday's Europa League home meeting with Milan.