Bournemouth Maintain Perfect Europa League Record as AC Milan Suffer Another Defeat

Bournemouth continued their impressive start to the Europa League on Thursday, coming from behind to beat 10-man Sparta Prague 3-1 and claim a fourth consecutive victory, while AC Milan slipped to a third defeat in four matches.

The Premier League side moved to the top of the league-phase standings after their substitutes helped secure a late comeback in the Czech Republic.

Sparta took the lead through Gambian forward Ebrima Singhateh, who ran from his own half before finishing a fine individual move. Bournemouth had earlier missed an opportunity to go ahead when midfielder Lewis Cook struck the post with a first-half penalty.

The hosts’ task became more difficult when Tobias Guddal was sent off before the break. Bournemouth made their numerical advantage count after the interval, with Tyler Adams equalising in the 57th minute.

Evanilson put the visitors ahead nine minutes from time, before Rayan added a third goal late in the match to complete the comeback.

The victory extended Bournemouth’s winning run to seven matches in all competitions under manager Marco Rose. The club will now turn its attention to a Premier League trip to Ipswich this weekend.

While Bournemouth celebrated another European success, AC Milan suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Ferencvaros at the San Siro.

Haiti international Lenny Joseph scored twice in the second half to give the Hungarian side a deserved victory and maintain their perfect record in the competition. Ferencvaros also finished the match with 10 players after Bamidele Yusuf was sent off.

The defeat leaves the seven-time European champions outside the league phase’s top 24, with only three points at the halfway stage. Milan’s latest setback increases the pressure on the club as they attempt to improve their position in the remaining fixtures.

Crystal Palace also endured a difficult evening but managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park.

Alexander Prass gave the German visitors an early advantage, while Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada rescued a point for Pierre Sage’s side with an equaliser in stoppage time, preventing Palace from suffering a home defeat.

The draw leaves last season’s UEFA Conference League winners with five points from their first four Europa League matches. Their European campaign has provided some relief during a difficult domestic season, with Palace sitting in the Premier League relegation zone, level on points with Manchester United and behind them on goal difference.

Thursday’s results produced contrasting fortunes for the three clubs, with Bournemouth strengthening their position at the top, Ferencvaros continuing their unbeaten European run and Milan facing an increasingly difficult route towards the knockout stages.