The Iraola effect: how Bournemouth make a high-intensity gameplan work

The Cherries are flying high after a five-game unbeaten run built on their ability to hunt possession all over the pitch

By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

A little over a year ago, Bournemouth celebrated their first win at Old Trafford. Goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi secured the spoils on a memorable day for the south-coast side. Twelve months later, it has happened again. Bournemouth celebrated another 3-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday after Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo scored for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Of the original goalscorers, only one – Billing – featured in some capacity to inflict a miserable Christmas on Ruben Amorim. Solanke was sold to Tottenham over the summer and Senesi is injured. But even with changes to personnel, Bournemouth will start Boxing Day in the European spots. Despite the big-money departure of last season’s top scorer, they continue to exceed expectations.

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