Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth: Cottagers come from behind twice to earn a point

To think, seven weeks ago Gary O’Neil was managing his son Carter-Jae’s Under-9s team to defeat. Now he’s unbeaten in six Premier League games as a rookie caretaker coach.

O’Neil was not a serious candidate when the Bournemouth vacancy first became available upon Scott Parker’s sacking in late August. He was a stopgap; a ‘he’ll do for now’ appointment.

Yet Bournemouth have grown into a different team since that 9-0 defeat by Liverpool. They’ll be disappointed with this draw, given they led twice and were pegged back twice, but they can say they sit in the top-half of the Premier League table.

Above Liverpool. Above Everton. Way above Nottingham Forest and way above Southampton. Above all those other sides whose odds of survival were better than theirs, given Bournemouth started this season as favourites to drop down.

Parker was given the elbow after criticising the strength of the squad at his disposal. O’Neil has avoided such mistakes and is getting a tune out of this supposedly broken banjo.

Until American billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover is finalised, we’re unlikely to have a decision on the next permanent Bournemouth boss. But my word, the 39-year-old newbie that is O’Neil cannot do much more than he is now.

Bournemouth led after one minute and three seconds thanks to a delicious one-two between their front two. Philip Billing was played in behind before returning the pass to Dominic Solanke, who beat Bernd Leno for 1-0 – a perfect start to O’Neil’s sixth game as caretaker.

In the 22nd minute, Fulham answered back. How simple it was, too. Andreas Palhinha crossed his corner and Issa Diop headed beyond Wolves goalkeeper Neto to make it 1-1.

Bournemouth wanted some help in retaking the lead when Tim Ream grabbed the arm of Ryan Fredericks, who was breaking behind. ‘VAR’ chanted Bournemouth’s supporters. Robert Jones took a look from Stockley Park but decided there was not enough to suggest a penalty.

Nevertheless, Bournemouth did take a 2-1 lead after 28 minutes when Solanke found space down the right-hand side. He fed Jefferson Lerma, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Fulham’s defending had been dire and with half hour gone, we had seen three goals.

We would have seen the game’s fourth scored by Bournemouth were it not for Leno. In the 40th minute, he saved Lerma’s header then denied Adam Smith the rebound from point-blank range.

At half time, the talk in the press room was of there being another two goals in this game, at least. It was that sort of open contest; one end to the other. Whether it finished 4-1 to Bournemouth or 3-2 to Fulham, however, was anyone’s guess.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, starting for the first time since October 1 due to an ankle complaint, had hardly seen the opposition goal. Fulham know they aren’t the same without him and whether he was fully fit here was questionable.

Yet in the 51st minute, he won Fulham a penalty. Pereira had crossed the ball and Lerma was cuddling Mitrovic as if it was Valentine’s Day. Referee Graham Scott rightly pointed to the penalty spot and the Serbian striker stepped up to make it 2-2.

Twice Bournemouth had led and twice Fulham pulled it back. Solanke might have given the visitors a 3-2 lead when he broke behind but Leno got down to save well.

Fulham wanted a penalty int he 72nd minute when Smith clumsily challenged Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Scott gave nothing and VAR said there was no clear and obvious error.

As we entered the final 10 minutes, it was all Fulham. Bournemouth were living dangerously and at risk of their first defeat under O’Neil. He substituted their two strikers, Solanke and Billing, as the visitors held on for the point.

Dominic Solanke gave Bournemouth the perfect start scoring after just two minutes

Their lead lasted 20 minutes until Issa Diop (centre) glanced a header into the back of the net

Fulham were level for just seven minutes until Jefferson Lerma placed a shot to make it 2-1

Bournemouth players were frustrated after the referee pointed to the penalty spot

Alexsandar Mitrovic, who won the penalty, then made no mistake as he tucked away

Mitrovic immediately gathered the ball with hopes that Fulham could go and find a winner

Marco Silva saw his side go behind twice but will have been happy to see his side’s fight

Bournemouth are now unbeaten in their last six games since the 9-0 loss to Liverpool