Bournemouth defeat Fulham 1-0 to move closer to European qualification

Bournemouth have taken a significant step towards securing European football for the first time in their history with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A second-half strike from Rayan extended the remarkable unbeaten league run of Andoni Iraola’s side to 16 matches.

The result leaves the south-coast club knowing that victories in their final two fixtures will guarantee at least a Europa League place.

They could even reach the Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the table.

Red cards spark bizarre end to first half

An initially cagey encounter burst into controversy late in the first period when both teams were reduced to 10 men within minutes.

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie was the first to be dismissed after catching Timothy Castagne on the ankle with his studs.

Before the Londoners could capitalise on their numerical advantage, Joachim Andersen received a straight red card for a similarly reckless challenge on Adrien Truffert.

Rayan strikes as Fulham hopes fade

The extra space on the pitch benefited the visitors after the break, culminating in Rayan lashing home his fifth goal of the campaign in the 53rd minute.

Fulham pushed for a late equaliser but saw their own European aspirations effectively extinguished by the narrow defeat.

Former Cherries forward Josh King nearly salvaged a point for the hosts, but his stoppage-time effort crashed agonisingly against the underside of the crossbar.