- Bournemouth moved into the FA Cup fifth round after beating Everton 2-0
- Antoine Semenyo scored a penalty before Daniel Jebbison doubled their lead
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Does the Premier League REALLY need to look at goal celebrations?
Everton’s final cup-tie at Goodison Park proved a disaster for captain James Tarkowski as Antoine Semenyo once again became the Merseyside club’s nemesis.
Semenyo, who had ignited Bournemouth’s 3-2 comeback win at the same ground in August, scored the opening goal when he was cleaned out by Tarkowski and converted the resulting penalty.
The Everton defender then gifted Bournemouth the ball before half-time with a stray pass to Marcus Tavernier that led to 21-year-old Daniel Jebbison adding the second goal.
Everton improved after Charli Alcaraz was introduced for his debut following a January loan move from Flamengo and they hit the woodwork three times without reward.
The outcome wasn’t what David Moyes wanted having won his three previous games but at least he won’t suffer the same fate as Sean Dyche who was sacked after Everton’s defeat at Bournemouth in January.
Everton have to now focus on remaining a Premier League club moving for their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, with Liverpool up next on Wednesday.
Bournemouth beat Everton 2-0 in the final FA Cup tie to be held at Goodison Park
Antoine Semenyo won and converted a penalty in the first half to put the Cherries ahead
Daniel Jebbison scored the visitors’ second after his effort messily deflected onto him
Bournemouth however can continue to dream however of a first major trophy in their club’s history.
‘I am very satisfied,’ said Cherries manager, Andoni Iraola. ‘We always try to be brave and start strongly. We will fight to reach the quarter-finals. It is about having soul and belief.’
On Semenyo, he added: ‘He is in a lovely moment. He is working with Milos (Kerkez) very well down the left side.’
Moyes made only one change indicating how importantly he regarded the fixture, particularly with his club trophyless since 1995.
But once Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa had saved from Iliman Ndiaye, the visitors were always in the box seat.
After a quiet opening, the phony war ended after 21 minutes when Semenyo sped past Tarkowski and toppled over the defender’s outstretched leg.
Despite the centre-half’s protestations he got the ball, referee John Brooks pointed to the spot. There was no VAR to check whether the winger had been offside. Either way, Semenyo’s penalty beat Jordan Pickford for power.
The visitors almost doubled their lead when Jebbison slipped in Semenyo whose shot was well blocked by Jarrad Branthwaite. But the second goal arrived before the interval.
Jebbison has now scored in the third and fourth round after being recalled by the club
Semenyo was fouled by Tarkowski at the venue at which he sparked August’s comeback
Jake O’Brien could only guide a header from close range onto the outside of the woodwork
Charly Alcaraz came off the bench for his Everton debut and struck the post with a free kick
A poor clearance by Tarkowski fell to Marcus Tavernier who advanced to the edge of the penalty area and had a shot blocked.
The loose ball fell to Jebbison whose initial effort from close range hit Pickford, then rebounded back onto him and into the net.
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Jebbison who struggled on loan at Watford until his recall last month because of long-term injuries to Evanilson and Enes Unal. He has subsequently scored in the third and fourth rounds.
Everton increased their tempo in the second half and Alcaraz’s energy made an impact.
His burst through midfield led him to winning a free-kick after 70 minutes. He took responsibility and drilled a shot against the post.
It lifted the atmosphere and encouraged the home side. Jake O’Brien headed against the outside of the upright and Jack Harrison also struck woodwork with a curled cross which escaped everyone.
Bournemouth had their own chances with Jarrad Branthwaite slicing a clearance against his own crossbar. For the final few minutes, Moyes sent on defender Michael Keane as an emergency centre-forward.
‘It wasn’t our day but at least we showed a bit of gumption,’ said the Everton boss. ‘We conceded two really terrible goals. The players who came on in the second half gave us more energy.’
