O’Neil proving he’s more than just a stopgap
TO think, seven weeks ago Gary O’Neil was managing his son Carter-Jae’s Under-9s team to defeat. Now he is unbeaten in six Premier League games as a rookie caretaker coach.
O’Neil did not seem a realistic candidate when the Bournemouth vacancy became available after Scott Parker’s sacking in late August. He was a stopgap; a ‘he’ll do for now’ appointment.
Yet Bournemouth have grown into a different team since that 9-0 defeat by Liverpool. They will be disappointed with this draw, given they led twice and were pegged back twice, but they can say they sit in the top half of the Premier League table.
Above Fulham. Above Liverpool. Above Nottingham Forest and Leicester and Wolves. Above all those other sides whose odds of survival were better than theirs, given Bournemouth started this season as favourites to drop down.
Parker was given the boot after criticising the strength of his squad. O’Neil has avoided such mistakes and is getting a tune out of this supposedly broken banjo.
Until American billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover is finalised, we are unlikely to have a decision on the next permanent Bournemouth boss. But my word, the 39-year-old newbie that is O’Neil cannot do much more than he is now.
‘A point away in the Premier League is always a good point,’ said O’Neil, who refuses to talk himself up for the job. ‘The boys have given me everything in these six games. We’ve got a quick turnaround now against Southampton (on Wednesday).’
Fulham boss Marco Silva lamented: ‘Two points lost. After the last two defeats it was crucial to start well, on the front foot, to be confident. What happened was the opposite.’ Bournemouth led after one minute and three seconds thanks to a delicious one-two between their front two. Philip Billing was played in behind before returning the pass to Dominic Solanke, who beat Bernd Leno for 1-0.
In the 22nd minute, Fulham answered back.
How simple it was, too. Andreas Periera crossed his corner and Issa Diop headed beyond visiting goalkeeper Neto.
Bournemouth wanted some help in trying to retake the lead when Tim Ream grabbed the arm of Ryan Fredericks, who was breaking behind. ‘VAR’ chanted Bournemouth’s supporters. Robert Jones took a look from Stockley Park but decided no penalty.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth did go ahead again after 29 minutes when Solanke found Jefferson Lerma, who slotted into the bottom corner. Fulham’s defending had been dire and with half an hour gone, we had seen three goals. We would have had a fourth were it not for Leno. In the 40th minute, he saved Lerma’s header then denied Adam Smith from close range.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, starting for the first time since October 1 due to an ankle complaint, had hardly seen the opposition goal in the first half — whether the Fulham striker was fully fit was questionable.
Yet in the 52nd minute, he won and scored a penalty to make it 2-2 after he was manhandled by Lerma.
Referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot and, according to O’Neil, it was a ‘terrible decision’.
Solanke might have given the visitors a 3-2 lead when he broke behind but Leno got down to stop him finding the bottom corner.
Fulham wanted another penalty in the 72nd minute for Smith’s clumsy challenge on Bobby Decordova-Reid. Scott gave nothing and VAR said there was no clear and obvious error.
As we entered the final 10 minutes, it was all Fulham. Bournemouth were living dangerously and at risk of their first defeat under O’Neil. But he substituted front pair Solanke and Billing and the visitors held on for a point.
It is no wonder Bournemouth’s supporters are singing his name.