Bournemouth keep perfect European record after substitutes turn match in Prague

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Bournemouth maintained their perfect start to the Europa League with a 3–1 comeback win at Sparta Prague on Thursday, 5 November. All three of their goals came from substitutes as Marco Rose’s side secured a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.

Rose had made eight changes to the side that beat Leeds at the weekend. Bournemouth initially failed to take advantage of a penalty, with Lewis Cook’s effort striking the inside of the post, before Ebrima Singhateh put Sparta ahead with a run from his own half.

Bournemouth trailed at the interval, but Rose’s changes gradually turned the contest in their favour against a Sparta side reduced to 10 men by Tobias Guddal’s second yellow card.

Tyler Adams, introduced at half-time, equalised in the 57th minute with a first-time shot from outside the area. Evanilson put Bournemouth ahead in the 81st minute after a pass from Ryan Christie, and Rayan completed the scoring in the 90th minute with a long-range strike.

The result gave Bournemouth 12 points from four matches. They had previously beaten Real Sociedad 2–1 away, followed by 3–0 home victories over Sturm Graz and AC Milan. Those results leave them with 11 goals scored and two conceded in the competition.

Elsewhere in Thursday’s Europa League programme, Crystal Palace drew 1–1 at home to Hoffenheim, Sunderland lost 2–0 to GNK Dinamo and Celtic beat Beşiktaş 3–2.

Bournemouth’s next Europa League fixture is away to Celta Vigo on 26 November. The league phase runs until 28 January 2027, when the Cherries host Hapoel Beer-Sheva.