Bournemouth spectacularly dismantled Nottingham Forest with a 5-0 win on Saturday afternoon, extending their club-record Premier League unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive games.
The result means Bournemouth climb into sixth and are just a point outside of the top four places, while Forest remain third but only hold a four-point lead over fifth-placed Chelsea and today's opponents.
The build-up to the match presented two exciting and in-form teams facing off, but the first half largely failed to deliver on the promised excitement, with the only notable highlight being Justin Kluivert's sublime strike from outside the box to open the scoring after just nine minutes, as both teams went on to hold possession while struggling to create any quality chances.
The second half was a much livelier affair, with Bournemouth seizing control of the game, scoring two quick goals through Dango Ouattara to race into a 3-0 lead just after the hour mark, though it may have been even better had Kluivert not been denied a spectacular second due an offside call against the Cherries' number 11 just moments before their third.
The hosts were not done there, though, adding a fourth and fifth in the dying moments as Ouattara completed his hat-trick - Bournemouth's second in as many matches - and Antoine Semenyo got in on the action with a lovely curled strike in stoppage time, capping off a terrific night for the Cherries
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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Words struggle to describe just how good Bournemouth have been in the past weeks, and the Cherries secured yet another statement victory today with a 5-0 dismantling of a Nottingham Forest side that have been exceptional this season.
The speed and intensity with which they defend and attack is simply frightening, a factor of their play which other teams clearly cannot cope with, helping them to beat Newcastle United 4-1 last weekend and Forest 5-0 today.
Andoni Iraola deserves huge credit, with many suggesting that Bournemouth may be relegated under his guidance last term, but the Spaniard instead has the Cherries on course to qualify for Europe.
Their attacking stars, such as Kluivert, Semenyo, Ouattara, are all clear beneficiaries of Iraola's style of play, and there are sure to be more wins like this if they can keep producing these performances.
As for Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo will be devastated and disgusted with his team's defeat, the performance a far cry from their defensive solidity that has helped them currently place third in the table.
The defeat will have to serve as a major wake-up call that they need to be more consistent against teams around them if they are to brilliantly qualify for Europe this campaign.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
8th min: Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Justin Kluivert)
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Kluivert puts Bournemouth ahead, he just cannot stop scoring!
The ball is played into the attacking midfielder just inside his own half, and Kluivert looks up before driving towards the Nottingham Forest box.
The Forest defenders continue to retreat into their own area, allowing Kluivert to get to the edge of the box and unleash a stunning strike into the bottom left corner.
55th min: Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Dango Ouattara)
© Imago
Ouattara doubles the lead with a wonderful header!
A Bournemouth corner is cleared at the near post, but the Cherries quickly rework the ball back to Milos Kerkez and out wide to the corner taker Kluivert.
Bournemouth's danger man cuts onto his right foot and delivers a beautiful cross to the far post, where Ouattara rises highest and heads into the far corner to make it 2-0.
61st min: Bournemouth 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Dango Ouattara)
Three for Bournemouth, Ouattara adds his second!
Tyler Adams intercepts the ball just inside Bournemouth's half and quickly looks forward and plays the ball behind the Forest defence for Ouattara to chase.
Ouattara latches onto the pass and races into the box, cuts onto his left foot and fires his strike across goal and into the bottom right corner to add a third for Bournemouth.
87th min: Bournemouth 4-0 Nottingham Forest (Dango Ouattara)
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Hat-trick hero, Ouattara gets his third and Bournemouth's fourth!
A long-ranged effort from Marcus Tavernier looks certain to be a routine save for Matz Sels in the Nottingham Forest goal, but the goalkeeper fails to get the ball in his grasp.
The loose ball is quickly met by Ouattara, who slots his shot under Sels and into the back of the net to secure his hat-trick.
91st min: Bournemouth 5-0 Nottingham Forest (Antoine Semenyo)
Five for Bournemouth, Semenyo joins in with a goal of his own!
Bournemouth win the ball back on the halfway line and quickly turn defence into attack, playing the ball through the middle of the park for Tavernier to race forward.
The attacking midfielder charges towards the box and lays the ball to Semenyo on the left, where he stands up his marker before curling his strike into the far corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DANGO OUATTARA
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Ouattara has only been deployed as the striker in recent matches due to necessity, with Evanilson and Enes Unal out with injuries, but he has made that position his own, particularly with a spectacular performance today.
The striker scored a magnificent hat-trick that displayed all the attributes of a top striker - netting a headed goal, a clinical left-footed finish and showing great awareness to chase in Tavernier's strike and slot home for his third.
Truthfully, Bournemouth's entire team could be given the man of the match, especially their forward line, with Kluivert getting a goal and assist and Semenyo also bagging one of his own.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Bournemouth 51%-49% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Bournemouth 16-18 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Bournemouth 10-4 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Bournemouth 3-9 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Bournemouth 9-12 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 12 games.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 25, 2025
W8 D4 L0. pic.twitter.com/e3rZbY8jvk
Dango Ouattara vs Nottingham Forest:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 25, 2025
3 goals
4 shots
4 shots on target
He becomes the second Bournemouth player to score a hat trick this season in the Prem. pic.twitter.com/HfGjalLjw2
WHAT NEXT?
Bournemouth will now turn their attention to a difficult matchup against Premier League leaders Liverpool next Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, where they will look to further extend their club-record unbeaten run.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest will undoubtedly be put through their paces as they prepare to host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, hoping to bounce back and return to winning ways after today's humbling defeat.
Ellis Stevens
