Hill is on a 'fantastic run' - Tuchel published at 15:04 GMT 11 November
15:04 GMT 11 November
Image source, Getty Images
England boss Thomas Tuchel says it is "a beautiful occasion" having Bournemouth's James Hill in the England camp.
With Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence both set to miss the Three Lions' Nations League clash with Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, Cherries defender Hill received his first call up to the senior team.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Tuchel explained Hill was already on England's radar, having impressed with his performances for Bournemouth this season.
"When we took the decision with Ezri [Konsa] that he was out for this match and needs to follow his own programme, we wanted a back-up straight away, and James has a fantastic season and is on a fantastic run," he said.
"He is clearly in our window and on our list of 55. We made sure he is in the country and once we had contacted him it was obvious how desperate and how excited he is to come to camp, and it was then a beautiful occasion seeing him, getting to know him.
"International breaks are not that often and you see a player performing so well for Bournemouth over a long period, and it's a nice occasion to see that player at the highest level because it's not so often you have the chance to do that."
Cherries catching the international eyepublished at 12:24 GMT 11 November
12:24 GMT 11 November
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth go into the international break after a successful week on the road. For the first time, they faced an away Europa League game on a Thursday evening followed by an away Premier League match on the Sunday.
Sparta Prague and Ipswich Town were the latest vanquished opponents as Marco Rose's side stretched their winning run to eight games, with some travelling Cherries fans having taken in both matches without going home in between.
While that run of eight wins has equalled a club record, it has still somewhat flown under the radar of some of the national media - but international managers have been taking note.
James Hill (England) and Eli Junior Kroupi (France) both received their maiden full international call-ups on Tuesday as injury replacements, while Antonio Silva has earned a recall with Portugal, having been left out of the World Cup.
A little surprisingly, Evanilson's seven goals in his past eight games did not turn the head of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is yet to give the Cherries striker the chance to add to the two caps he won in 2024 while at Porto.
However, Bournemouth's coaching and medical staff may welcome the chance to wrap their number nine up in cotton wool for the next fortnight as a sequence of nine games in 30 days comes to an end.
After the international break, Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures mean Rose's side will not have a 'blank' midweek until Christmas.
'One of the most consistent English centre-halves playing at the moment'published at 10:34 GMT 11 November
10:34 GMT 11 November
Media caption,
Former Bournemouth captain Steve Cook has told BBC Radio Solent that defender James Hill's first England call-up is "very much deserved".
The 24-year-old was added to the squad as cover for Ezri Konsa for Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, having consistently impressed for the Cherries over the past 18 months.
"He could have felt hard done by not making it originally into the squad because consistently over the last 18 months he's been terrific," Cook told Solent Sport's Jono Holmes.
"He's one of the most consistent English centre-halves playing at the moment.
"He does the simple things really well. He defends the box really well. He's playing in a strong team now, which helps - but as an individual he's been outstanding for Bournemouth.
"When they're doing their job right, centre-halves do go under the radar because it's not a threatening position. He's doing his job well."
Kroupi handed first senior France call-uppublished at 18:08 GMT 10 November
18:08 GMT 10 November
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has received his first senior international call-up after pledging his allegiance to France this summer.
The 20-year-old, who recently returned to action after recovering from surgery on a foot injury sustained in pre-season, has replaced Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, who has withdrawn because of injury.
Kroupi will now link up with Zinedine Zidane's squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, having already represented France from under-16 level through to under-21 level.
The call-up comes after Kroupi turned down the opportunity to represent Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
Cherries fans plan for Europa League finalpublished at 07:53 GMT 10 November
07:53 GMT 10 November
Media caption,
Bournemouth are hitting unprecedented form in the Premier League and in the Europa League.
While they sit in seventh position in the top flight, they are placed second in Europe's second-tier behind Benfica.
With the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Lyon behind the Cherries in the Europa League table, does this mean they can achieve greatness and win their first ever European title?
On the latest Cherries: Unpicked podcast, former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington has spoken to fans who have already booked their hotel for the Europa League final in Frankfurt, Germany.
'An amazing feeling for this football club' - Tavernierpublished at 16:14 GMT 9 November
16:14 GMT 9 November
Media caption,
It was a baptism of fire for Marco Rose in his opening six games in charge of Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Three points, 13 goals conceded, and European football added pressure to a busy 2026-27 campaign for his Cherries side.
However, unlike Sunderland, who have struggled to find form with a new European task, Rose's side have now managed to bring their winning form from the Europa League into their domestic games.
Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier told BBC Radio Solent about the "amazing feeling" in the squad after the 2-1 victory against Ipswich Town.
"It's an amazing feeling for this football club," he said. "In a game where it's backs against the wall in the last 15 minutes, at the start of the season, we would have probably ended that game with a draw, but it just shows you how far we've come in a short time in ways we've changed.
"I don't know what we've changed, but we've changed something and we're finding ways to win football games and that's a great feeling."
Bournemouth have won eight consecutive matches in all competitions for the third time in the club's history (also January 1999 and in April 2013), becoming the second Premier League side to do so this season, after Manchester City between August and October (also eight wins).
Tavernier added: "Every point you get in this league is tough to get. We had to fight [agaimst Ipswich]. Every game is different.
"Sometimes you have more possession, and you enjoy the game a bit more, but it was a lot more physical and our backs were against the wall at the end of the game.
"We had to play a different type of game in that sense, but we've found a way to win a football match and that's the main thing."
Listen to more from Tavernier by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here
Nic: Gifted Bournemouth a goal at the start of each half! I think they could've been there for the taking if we'd kept up the intensity we started with given their European exploits midweek. However, as it was, they didn't really need to get out of second gear!
Kenny: Defensively we are very poor and our goalkeeper recruitment has been woeful both times we have reached the Premier League. Not being able to keep a clean sheet will cost us.
James: I think a sense of perspective is required here. If we compare where Ipswich were on their last stint in the top flight to where they are now, and the contrast in recruitment strategy, they are in a far better place. Yes, mistakes will happen, even to the very best teams. Christian Walton is a top class keeper who never lets the club down, but such is the ruthlessness of the Premier League. Mistakes are often costly.
Robin: We can't keep making these defensive errors. Apart from the goal, Ipswich made a good start.
Mark: Two mistakes, two goals, gave us too big of a mountain to climb. Conceding so early in each half was far from ideal, and we tried to fight back but Bournemouth are a slick and well oiled outfit. No need for any panic, but we will need to improve in our next two games.
Bournemouth fans
Robert: A win is a win and that's what counts at the season end. The defence is tightening up, but in the new year let's buy some heavyweight guys to bring on for the last 20 mins when we are ahead!
Malcolm: Another team performance from all the players. Forcing errors as they did in Prague on Thursday evening. Pressing high and having a solid defence is key to this run and the workrate of the midfielders must not be overlooked. James Hill is my pick for man of the match, an absolute beast.
Tim: What a club! Hill and Antonio Silva superb at the back and Evanilson too hot to handle. Ludicrous penalty decision and unbelievable no VAR intervention.
Paul: A well-managed and fairly comfortable game became less comfortable after the penalty (incorrectly awarded, in my view). However, our ability to see the game out is the big difference between now and earlier in the season for this hard-working team. Eight in a row and counting!
Baz: The European games are starting to show as we were looking tired as the game went on. How on earth was that penalty not overturned? The foul was on Lewis Cook not by him.
Evanilson's persistence pays offpublished at 16:54 GMT 8 November
16:54 GMT 8 November
Timothy Abraham BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Evanilson will doubtless find the net in much more aesthetically pleasing fashion than by picking the pocket of Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Walton dropped a shoulder in an attempt to outfox Evanilson, but the forward was wise to the ploy, nicked the ball off him and coolly slotted home.
However, the Brazilian's persistence and alertness in closing down - his role was pivotal in Bournemouth's second as well - were duly rewarded in a deserved win at Portman Road.
It ensured he became the first Cherries player to score in five consecutive Premier League games.
Bournemouth boss Marco Rose was pretty pleased with the 27-year-old's hassling and harrying.
"I have spoken about a lot about him the past few weeks," Rose said.
"He always works hard out of possession, he's running between the lines, assistsm and now scores goals.
"I hope he stays hungry because it will be good for us."
Evanilson now has the joint-most goal involvements in the top flight this season (nine - five goals, four assists), level with Erling Haaland (nine goals).
With seven goals in his past eight appearances in all competitions, eclipsing his best tally for a season - 25 for Porto in 2023-24 - looks plausible.
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth: What Rose and Smith saidpublished at 16:47 GMT 8 November
16:47 GMT 8 November
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Bournemouth boss Marco Rose, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am happy we won this game so we could keep up our run going. We are doing many things the right way as a team. We stick together, have good balance in our game, defend together, suffer, and press well. That is why we have eight wins in a row.
"It's good that we see our effort gets rewarded [with pressing]. I am happy the lads continue going front foot and forward. At 2-1 it got difficult for us but we did it together. These kind of things we missed in the first five games where we played well but gave points away. Right now we do the small stuff in the right direction and I'm proud of the lads."
On Evanilson's form: "I have spoken about a lot about him the past few weeks. He always works hard out of possession, he's running between the lines, assists and now scores goals. I hope he stays hungry because it will be good for us."
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to Sky Sports: "We have got a special group here and we just have to keep it going. We're not getting carried away. We were angry after that Chelsea result and since then we have kicked on.
"Even when we are not playing well we are winning which is the sign of a good team. It was a tough week but it shows the kind of strength and depth we have. It's a great time to be a Bournemouth fan.
"The manager has added small details, in and out of possession, and we press different. He's a great communicator."
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Sutton's predictions: Ipswich v Bournemouthpublished at 11:09 GMT 8 November
11:09 GMT 8 November
Bournemouth have turned into one of the Premier League's form teams.
I thought they would run out of steam against Leeds United last week but I was wrong, and they have shown they have got a bit of depth in their squad.
I've been surprised by Ipswich too, and they were unlucky not to beat Hull City last time out. The Tractor Boys have got a bit of spirit about them, which makes me think they will get something from this game.
Bournemouth are a front-foot team under Marco Rose, who is a very attack-minded manager, but Ipswich will have a go too. I can see them getting a point.
Ipswich v Bournemouth: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:37 GMT 7 November
13:37 GMT 7 November
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT), as Ipswich Town host a Bournemouth side seeking an eighth consecutive victory.
Palacios key to beating Bournemouth's press
Back-to-back draws have left Ipswich with mixed emotions. The Tractor Boys were fortunate to avoid defeat against a wasteful Nottingham Forest two weeks ago, but failed to capitalise on a dominant first half away to Hull City last weekend, paying the price for defensive lapses after the break.
Julio Enciso's spectacular strike did at least salvage a 2-2 draw, meaning the Blues have earned eight Premier League points from losing positions this season, the highest total prior to the latest round of matches.
Paraguay international Enciso has been a shining light since joining from Strasbourg this summer, but Town's other standout performer has been fellow South American Exequiel Palacios, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen.
The first World Cup winner to represent the club, the 28-year-old Argentine has slotted in as a classy midfield metronome, completing 91.8% of his passes, the joint-highest figure among midfielders to have played at least 500 minutes.
Palacios was able to pull the strings against Hull, completing 106 of his 111 passes, but his confidence and composure on the ball are likely to be tested by a Bournemouth side who will press far more aggressively than the Tigers.
Evanilson flourishing in Cherries' charge
Bournemouth head to Suffolk full of confidence after seven consecutive victories, their longest winning streak for 12 years.
They maintained their flawless European record by beating Sparta Prague on Thursday, making it four wins from four in the Europa League. Although boss Marco Rose made eight changes for that game, key players Tyler Adams, Evanilson and Rayan all scored after coming on as second-half substitutes as the Cherries overturned a half-time deficit.
Top scorer Evanilson has now netted six times in his previous seven league and cup appearances, including in his previous three away games. The 27-year-old Brazilian is in his third season with Bournemouth and is on course for his most productive campaign yet.
He has already had a hand in eight Premier League goals, scoring four and assisting four. Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland had a better record going into this weekend's fixtures.
Eli Junior Kroupi "understands" that he needs to "improve his fitness level" before he is able to make a full 90-minute appearance, after sustaining a foot injury which required surgery in pre-season.
Rose added: "We need to avoid any type of reinjury and take care of him because he is a very important player for the club and the team. We hope to have him ready to start after the international break."
When asked if the international break comes at a good time for his squad, Rose replied: "It helps us. We have some players that need to up their training, other players that need regular training sessions to get back fit, and other players who can afford to have a little rest before returning to training."
On how the club has balanced the Premier League with the Europa League so far: "I would say so far so good, but we are still in the process of figuring that out because this week we will have to travel for both of our games. It will be demanding so let's see how we adapt."
A "change in mindset" has seen Bournemouth win seven games in a row in all competitions, after "dropping points" and "not getting what we wanted" in the early stages of the 2026-27 season.
He added: "We are now defending and attacking together, we are adding that extra 5% to each performance, and we are winning games."
Bournemouth cannot afford to "switch off" against Gary O'Neil's late scorers this weekend, and he anticipates a "tough challenge" away from home.
However, Evanilson - who has scored four goals in his past four league appearances - will "smell out" any goalscoring opportunities for the Cherries. The number nine has made a "really good" start, with "maybe 15 or 20 goals" within his reach this season.
Lastly, he was asked about James Hill and Antonio Silva's centre-back partnership: "It is important to defend in a compact way in the Premier League. We have got better at pressing together and pushing up our last line recently. Silva has adapted to the league really quickly and Hill is one of the best English defenders we have."
'Hard yards' and a Prague summitpublished at 10:03 GMT 6 November
10:03 GMT 6 November
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
For many Bournemouth followers, "doing the hard yards" meant following the team in their League Two days, spending every other Saturday heading to cold northern outposts such as Bury or Rochdale, or further still, Carlisle or Hartlepool.
On Thursday evening, hundreds of Cherries fans who had made the journey to Prague and had gathered in the Old Town Square, embarked on the traditional European "fan walk" to the stadium.
Having crossed the river still in good spirits, the steep walk up more than a dozen flights of steps into Letna Park dampened that enthusiasm slightly, with some comparing it to the gargantuan climb up into the gods to reach the away end at Newcastle United's St James' Park.
The "hard yards" were not yet over, as with Sparta Prague's Epet Arena in sight, supporters were held up by police, and then seemingly directed away from the stadium and down residential streets before finally reaching the away fans' section on the far side of the ground, with kick-off fast approaching.
It did not look like it would be Bournemouth's night after Lewis Cook missed a penalty and Sparta took a 1-0 half-time lead to end the Cherries' run of six clean sheets.
Cook is not known for his goalscoring prowess, with a record of four goals in 318 appearances across his 10-year Bournemouth career.
In his defence, the Cherries' two regular penalty-takers, Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier, were on the substitutes' bench at the time, while Cook did have a perfect three-from-three record in penalty shootouts, netting against Norwich in 2022, Wolves in 2025 and Newcastle earlier this year.
Despite having made eight changes for the Sparta game, boss Marco Rose was not to be denied, and was again vindicated in his choice of substitutions as Tyler Adams, Evanilson and Rayan all came off the bench to score in a 3-1 win.
So, those who had done the "hard yards" were rewarded with a seventh successive win in all competitions and a continued 100% record in the Europa League. Although some, understandably, took a more leisurely tram ride back to the city centre.
Sparta Prague 1-3 Bournemouth - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:02 GMT 6 November
10:02 GMT 6 November
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Bournemouth's Europa League victory at Sparta Prague.
Here are some of your comments:
Simon: Job well done after a poor start and first half. Team starting selection questionable but substitutes made the difference. Unbelievable winning run continues. Great atmosphere in whole stadium. Enjoyable European tour here in Prague.
Tom: Unbelievable! Magic! Stunning! Words fail me - except those three.
Paul: A score that flattered the Cherries, particularly after a poor first half where we gave away possession far too easily. We were helped tremendously by the sending off, and bringing on the big guns as second half subs got us over the line comfortably enough in the end. Hopefully Evanilson and company can get some well-deserved rest before the Ipswich game on Sunday.
Kirsi: Both sides had their blunders, however Bournemouth were the ones who were able to improve on their mistakes and that's what ultimately gave them the three points. Cherries did a good job at using the 11v10 to their advantage and in particular, Evanilson was able to get onto the pitch and make an instant impact that led to two goals. An incredible performance in Prague, let's just hope it carries over against Ipswich!
Yvo: Just too strong, fast and skilful for the Czechs.
Stewart: The magnificent seven, sorry could not resist it.
Clive: A good all round performance with the players showing their superiority in both effort and fitness. We gave the ball away too often but with the extra man we managed to recover the ball almost as easily. Rest well lads and go again Sunday.