Antoine Semenyo's goal after just 53 seconds was enough for Bournemouth to secure a crucial 1-0 win over Fulham at Vitality Stadium, marking their first Premier League victory in nearly two months. The Cherries made a lightning-fast start, with Semenyo seizing possession from Antonee Robinson and coolly bending the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. It was a dream start for Andoni Iraola's side, who had been struggling in recent weeks, with no wins in their previous six league matches. Fulham, despite having the majority of possession, could not convert their chances. Evanilson should have doubled Bournemouth's lead just 15 minutes later, but the Brazilian hit the crossbar after getting on the end of Alex Scott’s cutback. Fulham looked for a response, with Rodrigo Muniz, Ryan Sessegnon, and Joachim Andersen all failing to capitalise on decent opportunities before halftime. Muniz had a chance to level the score when he pounced on a miscommunication between Bournemouth centre-backs Marcos Senesi and Dean Huijsen but fired wide. In the second half, Fulham pressed harder for the equaliser, carving out a few chances from distance. However, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been a target of criticism earlier in the season, came to Bournemouth's rescue with two excellent saves to deny Alex Iwobi and Sasa Lukic. Bournemouth had a strong claim for a penalty in the 80th minute when Leno appeared to bring down Evanilson, but referee Michael Oliver ruled that the goalkeeper had touched the ball first. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) upheld the decision, much to the frustration of the visitors. The win was Bournemouth's first since February 15 and moved them level on points with Fulham. However, due to a better goal difference, the Cherries leapfrogged their opponents into eighth place. Both teams remain firmly in the hunt for European football next season, with Chelsea and Aston Villa, in sixth and seventh, respectively, six points ahead with just six games remaining. The race for European spots is expected to be tight, with the eighth-placed team potentially qualifying for the Europa Conference League, provided the League Cup winners, Newcastle, and the FA Cup champions finish in the top seven. Bournemouth Back in European Contention Bournemouth had endured a dip in form after an impressive start to the season, with a noticeable loss of momentum in recent months. The club had gone winless in their last six Premier League matches, and their hopes of silverware were dashed when they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester City. Despite scoring the first goal in three of their previous four games and failing to secure a victory, Bournemouth's early goal this time proved decisive. The team held firm despite only having 31% possession after halftime and facing waves of Fulham pressure. They held on thanks to some crucial saves from Arrizabalaga, including a stunning diving stop to deny Iwobi’s curling shot. Bournemouth's defence, led by the resolute Huijsen, withstood Fulham's late pressure. The 20-year-old, celebrating his birthday, delivered a crucial challenge to thwart Raul Jimenez in the dying minutes, ensuring the Cherries held onto their slim lead. With tough fixtures against Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester City looming, these three points were vital for Bournemouth's European aspirations, keeping them within striking distance of a potential qualification spot. Fulham’s European Hopes Hit by Missed Opportunities Fulham’s disappointment was evident after the defeat, particularly given their recent form, including a memorable victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool. However, Marco Silva's side were caught cold by Semenyo’s early strike and failed to capitalise on the few chances they had to get back into the game. Sessegnon and Andersen missed headed opportunities, with both efforts comfortably saved by Arrizabalaga, while Muniz was guilty of squandering a golden chance after he intercepted a miscommunication between Senesi and Huijsen, only to shoot wide. Fulham also felt aggrieved after the referee handed only a yellow card to Senesi for a studs-up challenge on Andersen just before the break. A VAR review upheld the on-field decision, frustrating the visitors further. Despite a more dominant second-half performance, Fulham’s efforts were largely restricted to long-range shots, none of which troubled Arrizabalaga. Leno also kept Fulham in the game with key saves, denying Scott and Tyler Adams at important moments. With tough fixtures ahead and a congested race for European places, Fulham will need to find a clinical edge in their remaining matches to keep their European ambitions alive.