IT WAS a historic night under the Dean Court lights as Bournemouth won their first-ever home European game 3-0 against Sturm Graz with a strong performance to respond to the disappointment of the weekend's thumping at the hands of Chelsea.
Evanilson headed the Cherries in front, before second-half goals from substitute Rayan and Álvaro Rodríguez from the penalty spot secured the points for the hosts.
That made it two wins from two games in the Europa League – the Daily Echo rates the Cherries players on a memorable night.
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Đorđe Petrović: 7
The keeper didn't have a lot to do but made a very good save to keep Bournemouth in front at 1-0 in the second half.
Julio Soler: 7
Coming in for the ever-reliable Adrien Truffert, Soler was impressive and showed why he is so highly rated. Bournemouth have a good deputy for the Frenchman, should they need him.
António Silva: 8
An imposing performance from the Portuguese to bounce back from what was a poor showing at Chelsea.
Bafodé Diakité: 7
Diakité has not had loads of game time in 2026 but he showed why he was brought in before last season. A good performance that will keep pushing James Hill.
Adam Smith: 8
The skipper became Bournemouth's equal fifth-highest appearance maker on the night and he was excellent at both ends of the pitch. The Cherries saw a good amount of the ball and Smith was quite high for much of the game, but he showed his class throughout.
Tyler Adams: 8
Bournemouth had control of the game and a lot of that was down to Adams and midfield partner Cook. Another player who put in a good showing after a disappointing one at the weekend.
Lewis Cook: 8
Back in the side and Cook was excellent. Playing with two slightly more defensive-minded midfielders meant we saw both of them need to step it up a little in terms of progressing the ball up the pitch when in possession, and I was impressed with Cook in particular on that front.
Marcus Tavernier: 7
A couple of good moments and he wasn't far away from an excellent goal when he struck the post in the first half. It's been a good start to the season overall from Tavernier.
Ben Gannon-Doak: 8
I was impressed with the Scot, who looked bright and full of energy. He's certainly not afraid to take on his man; he will just need to get a little more precise with the final pass, cross or shot moving forward.
Evanilson: 9
One of the best headed goals you'll see. A superb guided header that was perfectly placed – anywhere else and it would likely have been saved. He could possibly have had a second in the second half but got the ball stuck in his feet, yet it was a brilliant all-round performance from the Brazilian and that's two goals in two games.
Álvaro Rodríguez: 7
A first Cherries goal from the penalty spot and Rodríguez seemed to grow into the game. He looked a bit raw at times and there is clearly progression that needs to be made, but he improved through the 90 and he had some good moments.
Substitutes:
James Hill: 7
Rayan: 8
A well-taken goal and that's two in two in the Europa League. The youngest player to score goals in both of an English team's first two European games since Jimmy Greaves did it for Chelsea aged 18 in 1958.
Ryan Christie: 7
Justin Kluivert: 7
Amine Adli: N/A
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