PL: bournemouth stun man Utd with 3-0 win at old trafford

Manchester(The Uttam Hindu): In a stunning display of football, AFC Bournemouth defeated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford, marking their second consecutive victory by the same scoreline at the iconic venue. Goals by Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo secured Bournemouth’s third consecutive away win, moving them to fifth place in the Premier League standings at Christmas, ahead of defending champions Manchester City. The match unfolded with United’s Amad Diallo creating the first opportunity in the sixth minute, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made a swift save to deny him. Bournemouth capitalized on counterattacks, with Antoine Semenyo testing United's goalkeeper Andre Onana from a distance. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Tyrell Malacia’s foul on Adam Smith led to a free-kick. Ryan Christie's precise delivery found 19-year-old Dean Huijsen, who headed the ball past Onana to give Bournemouth a well-deserved lead. Despite United applying pressure, including three close attempts by Bruno Fernandes, Arrizabalaga’s stellar goalkeeping kept Bournemouth ahead at halftime.

In the second half, United’s attempts to recover were thwarted as Bournemouth doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Justin Kluivert converted a penalty awarded after Noussair Mazraoui fouled him in the box. Just three minutes later, Antoine Semenyo capitalized on a defensive error, receiving a clever assist from Dango Ouattara to score Bournemouth’s third goal with a powerful finish. United had late chances from Rasmus Højlund and Amad Diallo, but Bournemouth's defense remained resolute, with Arrizabalaga’s excellent performance ensuring a clean sheet. The match highlighted where, when, and how Bournemouth secured their victory: at Old Trafford (where), on December 22 (when), through disciplined defense and sharp counterattacks (how). The Cherries' success answers what allowed them to dominate—clinical finishing and strong goalkeeping—and who their standout players were, with Huijsen, Kluivert, Semenyo, and Arrizabalaga leading the charge. The result raises questions about why Manchester United struggled to break down Bournemouth’s defense, a recurring issue in their turbulent season. For Indian fans following Premier League action, this thrilling encounter underlines the unpredictability of football, with the match showcasing Bournemouth’s rise and United’s ongoing challenges.