Bournemouth sink Fulham in 10-a-side contest to strengthen European hopes

Another step towards Europe for Bournemouth, another glimpse of Rayan’s talent, his goal a moment of calm amid high-octane hustle. Tempers boiled over, both teams reduced to 10 men by first-half losses of reason. Fulham fought for every ball in their own quest to play European football. Falling short here, and in recent weeks, opens up deep questions of their future direction.

A new contract offer to Marco Silva has stayed unsigned since November. The manager who re-established a Premier League club is free to field offers. Europe, a long-term ambition, veers beyond reach. Silva has never received sufficient backing to achieve that goal, an opinion he has freely expressed. To achieve it now might keep him at Fulham but such an outcome probably now relies on permutations beyond his control.