AFC Bournemouth came from behind to beat Sunderland 4-2 on Saturday lunchtime, with the hosts producing a sharper second-half display after surviving an uncomfortable opening period.
Sunderland settled quickly and took a deserved lead through Eliezer Mayenda in the 18th minute, the striker finishing with composure to put the visitors in front. Noah Sadiki doubled their advantage on 33 minutes, heading home to leave Bournemouth with genuine questions to answer at the interval.
The home side responded immediately after the break. Evanilson pulled one back within a minute of the restart, and Tyler Adams levelled matters on 58 minutes with a purposeful run and finish from distance. The momentum had shifted entirely. Ryan Christie converted on 62 minutes to put Bournemouth ahead for the first time, and Evanilson struck again a minute later to make it 4-2. Sunderland looked spent, unable to recover the defensive shape they had maintained so well in the first half.
Bertrand Traoré, substitute Robin Roefs and Nilson Angulo were introduced as Bournemouth managed the closing stages with some authority, though the game remained untidy. Amine Adli and Enes Ünal came on with the result secure. Alex Tóth picked up bookings in the 85th and 86th minutes, reducing Sunderland to ten men with the match effectively over.
Christie collected a late card in stoppage time, as did Alex Scott and Wilson Isidor, though the result had long been settled in Bournemouth's favour.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
