Bournemouth returned to the Premier League for the first time since their relegation in the 2019-20 season.
Although they started the campaign on a sour note with changes at the helm, the Cherries have managed to maintain their status in the English top-flight next season.
Afrosport reviews the ups and downs of Gary O’Neil’s team in the 2022-23 campaign.
Best Player: Dominic Solanke
The lanky striker has the most involvement in the Cherries’ goal this season with his contribution of six goals and seven assists in 32 Premier League matches. Solanke rises to the occasion in crucial games and he also has averages 1.2 dribbles per game.
Flop Signing: Illya Zabarnyi
The Ukrainian centre-back moved to the Vitality Stadium for a whooping £24 million from Dynamo Kyiv in January, the most the Cherries spent on a single player in the 2022-23 season.
Despite the huge financial investment, Zabarnyi has struggled to perform on the field with just 207 minutes played in four Premier League matches.
The 20-year-old arrived in England with a serious ankle injury that delayed his debut until April 4 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Best Result: 3-0 win against Everton
Just before the 2022 FIFA World Cup break, Gary O’Neil’s men bagged a comfortable home result and a clean sheet in front of home fans.
Marcus Tavernier starred with a goal and an assist in the first-half before substitute Jaidon Anthony put the icing on the cake, a minute after his introduction in the 69th minute.
Worst Result: 9-0 loss to Liverpool
Bournemouth suffered their worst result in their Premier League history on August 27, 2022. No red cards but the Cherries fell to an embarrassing 9-0 defeat at Anfield.
They conceded five goals in the first-half and they remaining came after the restart. Chris Mepham was the only Bournemouth player who found the back of the net but it was an own goal.
Top Scorer: Philip Billing
The 26-year-old midfielder is the highest-scoring player in Gary O’Neil’s team with seven Premier League goals in 35 appearances.
Billing found the back of the net against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Leicester City (home and away), Leeds United, Arsenal, Liverpool.
