Antoine Semenyo's first-minute goal proved decisive as Bournemouth boosted their European hopes with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.

Semenyo's eighth Premier League goal of the season was enough to snap a skid of six top-flight games without a win for the Cherries, who are now in eighth place, a spot above Fulham and right in the mix for European qualification, having equalled their record Premier League points total (48).

Bournemouth had to hold onto their lead for all but the opening 53 seconds of Monday's encounter.

That is how long it took for Semenyo to strike. The winger pounced on a loose touch by Antonee Robinson, burst into the area, and calmly slotted past Bernd Leno.

Evanilson squandered a chance to make matters more comfortable for Bournemouth when he hit the crossbar from close range, while Tyler Adams also went close after the break.

However, Fulham could not make Bournemouth pay for that profligacy, and their slender hopes of pushing for a Champions League place have now surely been dashed.

Three precious pointspic.twitter.com/LyZvvLxiex

— AFC Bournemouth(@afcbournemouth) April 14, 2025

Data Debrief: Rapid start does the business

Monday's game marked just the eighth game in Premier League history to end 1-0 with the winning goal scored in the opening minute, and the first since Everton beat Brentford in March 2023.

Semenyo scored Bournemouth's third-earliest goal in the Premier League after Philip Billing (nine seconds against Arsenal in March 2023) and Matt Ritchie (49 seconds against Tottenham in October 2015).

It was also the earliest goal Fulham have conceded in the top flight, since November 2020 against Everton (41 seconds).

Evanilson really should have made matters more comfortable for Bournemouth, who have hit the woodwork more times than any other Premier League side this season (21), with the Brazilian the 10th different player to do so for the Cherries.

Nevertheless, Andoni Iraoloa's team held on and have now won three home league games in a row against Fulham for the first time since a run of three between 1928 and 1931.