Cherries’ pressing blueprint delivers: Tavernier strike and discipline see off 10-man Wolves

Bournemouth’s first Premier League win of the season was fashioned exactly as Andoni Iraola drew it up: a coordinated press, quick combinations wide, and control with and without the ball. Marcus Tavernier’s early, heavily deflected finish proved enough for a 1-0 victory over Wolves, who played most of the second half a man light after Toti Gomes’ dismissal for pushing Evanilson through on goal.

From the stands to the pitch the tone was set. Antoine Semenyo, loudly backed before kick-off, rattled the bar inside 10 minutes, Tyler Adams bossed the midfield and drew a fine stop from Jose Sa, and David Brooks dictated the angles from the right as Bournemouth closed out a welcome home clean sheet.

The trap that sprung the winner

The decisive moment arrived on four minutes and sprang from a familiar trigger. Adams harried Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde at the edge of the area, Semenyo collected and released the overlapping Tavernier, and the winger’s skidding effort took a wicked deflection before thudding in off the underside of the bar. Cue Tavernier’s baseball‑swing celebration and an early lead for a side brimming with intent.

Bournemouth kept their foot down. Brooks repeatedly drifted infield onto his left foot to arc crosses into the corridor, one of which Semenyo met flush only to crash against the woodwork. The visitors were unnerved by the speed and precision of the openings the Cherries carved.

Evanilson forces the issue; game management takes over

Wolves tweaked at half-time and briefly stirred—Jhon Arias flashed into the sidenetting seconds after the restart from Hugo Bueno’s cutback—but the afternoon tilted decisively when Toti shoved Evanilson as the striker burst clear. The straight red left Bournemouth with a man advantage for the bulk of the half and the platform to control territory and tempo.

Iraola’s side didn’t settle for one. Semenyo continued to menace down the left and Brooks kept supplying, while Adams’ cleanly hit drive drew a strong save from Sa. With Wolves chasing, the Cherries’ spacing behind the ball and sprint recoveries ensured Djordje Petrovic had little to do beyond one important first‑half stop from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Core performers lead the way

Adams’ energy and timing underpinned the press that won the day, Brooks’ craft repeatedly opened lanes, and Tavernier’s direct running provided the cutting edge. Semenyo, who carried a threat throughout after his turbulent experience at Anfield, was inches from doubling the margin more than once.

At the back, Bournemouth’s spacing and first contact were sound. Petrovic’s one-handed save to deny Strand Larsen was Wolves’ standout first-half sight of goal, and after the red card the Cherries’ structure ensured any 10‑man surge fizzled before it turned into clear chances.

New arrivals, same identity

Iraola stuck with the XI that impressed at Liverpool, then turned to his bench to stretch the game late on. Amine Adli’s debut offered pace and incision, Ryan Christie brought control between the lines on his first appearance since April, and Justin Kluivert added fresh legs out wide.

The message was consistent: whatever the changes in personnel this summer, the ideas endure. The press that trapped Bellegarde for the winner, the rotations that freed Brooks, and the defensive reactions after turnovers all looked familiar—and effective.

A platform for a demanding week

A first win, a clean sheet, and the sense of a plan being reinforced will please Iraola as much as the points. With the side still “needing more time together,” as the head coach has said, days like this build belief in the collective.

Attention now turns to the Carabao Cup, where Bournemouth host Brentford, before a league trip to Tottenham. On this evidence, the Cherries carry both momentum and method into a busy run.