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Bournemouth have it in their hands to create history
TL;DR
Bournemouth is poised to make history by potentially qualifying for European football if they win their last three Premier League matches or match the results of teams below them. Their next match is against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Key points
- Bournemouth can qualify for European football.
- They need to win their last three matches.
- Next match is against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
- Historical match at the same venue occurred 39 years ago.
BournemouthFulham
[Getty Images]
Fulham away, in early May. Sound familiar?
Bournemouth head to Craven Cottage on Saturday for their antepenultimate match of the Premier League season, knowing that winning their last three games – or matching the results of the teams below them – would bring the unprecedented reward of European football.
For Cherries supporters of a certain age, there are echoes of a match at the same venue, 39 years ago this week, which is fondly remembered for all the right reasons.
On 4 May 1987, Bournemouth headed to Fulham for their penultimate game of the season as leaders of the old Third Division, knowing that a win would seal promotion to the second tier for the first time in the club's history. Anything less, and it would go to the final game.
Fulham had a strong wind at their backs in the first half, but Bournemouth needed a penalty save from keeper Gerry Peyton to ensure they went in goalless at the break.
Harry Redknapp's side went behind early in the second half, but were presented with a penalty of their own less than a minute later when Fulham's future England World Cup defender Paul Parker brought down Carl Richards, and Trevor Aylott levelled from the spot.
Aylott then capitalised on a weak punched clearance from Cottagers keeper Laurence Batty to make it 2-1 with 10 minutes left on the clock, and on-loan Tony Sealy got the promotion party started when he added a late third.
While Craven Cottage these days looks vastly different from how it did in May 1987, Bournemouth as a club feels almost completely unrecognisable from those days.
Fulham retain European ambitions of their own, but an away win on Saturday would put the Cherries mathematically out of the Cottagers' reach, and at the very least, cement a top-half finish.
Nothing will be taken for granted when one bad weekend of results could prompt a reversal of fortunes, as experienced by the teams in the title race and the relegation battle this week.
But just as in 1987, Bournemouth have it in their hands to create history.
Q&A
What does Bournemouth need to do to qualify for European football?
Bournemouth needs to win their last three matches or match the results of the teams below them in the Premier League.
When is Bournemouth's next match and who are they playing?
Bournemouth's next match is on Saturday against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
What historical significance does the match at Craven Cottage hold for Bournemouth?
The match at Craven Cottage echoes a memorable game for Bournemouth supporters that took place 39 years ago, marking a significant moment in the club's history.
