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Fulham 2 Bournemouth 2: Super sub Dango Ouattara scores last-minute goal to rescue point as visitors fight back twice
Two of the Premier League's shock high-flyers served up a post-Christmas cracker
DANGO OUATTARA turned the tables on late show hosts Fulham to keep Bournemouth’s remarkable European dream on track.
The Cherries sub grabbed an equaliser in the 89th minute that rescued a point for his massively-depleted team.
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Injuries and suspensions meant boss Andoni Iraola had to name four academy kids and two keepers on his bench.
But the lack of numbers did not dampen their spirits and twice they fought from behind to salvage a hard-won point.
It was also a lesson for Fulham who have developed a knack of turning up late to claim vital points as they too chase the prospect of the Europa League next season.
They even thought they had won it when last-gasp specialist Harry Wilson produced a classy header to give his team the lead with 18 minutes to go.
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That is relatively early by his standards - just five days ago Wilson grabbed an 82nd minute equaliser from which Fulham went on to claim a first Premier League win at Chelsea.
He also struck twice in second-half injury time to beat Brentford and scored late against Crystal Palace.
But it was Bournemouth’s turn to snatch something from nothing when sub Ouattaro was allowed a simple tap in the 89th minute after a defensive cock-up.
Issa Diop’s mishit clearance led to Antione Semenyo crossing for Ouattaro to bury a shot at the far post.
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Both teams can still look back on a positive Christmas period as the festive fixture season draws to a close.
Bournemouth smashed Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford and the Fulham fans were singing lustily of their surprise win down the road at Chelsea.
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But those performances had clearly had an effect on both sides too.
Jimenez produced a text book header to give Fulham the lead and a much-needed injection of life.
Prior to his goal five minutes before half time, the home side looked leggy and looked like missing out on cashing in against a massively depleted Bournemouth side with eight players missing.
Andreas Pereira swung out a corner into the middle of the area. Jimenez ghosted in from the back and met the ball in mid-air, twisting in the process to plant it snugly in the bottom, opposite corner for a peach of an opener.
Bournemouth had the ball in the back of the net from a corner through rookie defender James Hill, only for ref Jones to signal for a foul despite only the faintest of nudges on centre-back Calvin Bassey.
Fulham keeper Bernd Leno did well holding a snap shot from David Brooks and blocked a shot on the break from Semenyo.
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Christie escapes red card
Bournemouth were unfortunate in front of goal but dead lucky to still have 11 men at half-time.
Ryan Christie escaped with just a yellow card despite a studs-up lunge on defender Antonee Robinson.
Having clattered into Pereira seconds earlier, Christie lost control of the ball and lunged forwards trying to regain it, only to plant his foot on the left shin of Fulham’s captain.
Jones gave a yellow but VAR Peter Bankes took a second look, then decided that was punishment enough for what appeared to be a stonewall red offence.
With so many changes forced upon him before kick-off, the last thing Cherries boss Iraola needed was another enforced rejig of his depleted squad.
Fortune smiled on Iraola again five minutes into the second half when they equalised through record-signing Evanilson.
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Bournemouth equalise twice
Hill dropped an inviting ball into the Fulham box and the £40million Brazilian got the better of Joachim Andersen, then took one touch before volleying over Leno for a goal to match Fulham’s for its classy execution.
Wilson’s tireless energy put him in space to head home a cross from Robinson in the 72nd minute and just as Fulham were dreaming of going level on 31 points with defending champions Manchester City, Ouattara had the final say.
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