A Tale of Two South Coast Neighbours (Almost)
Fulham and Bournemouth may not share the heated animosity of London derbies or the legacy of top-flight feuds, but their meetings have become quietly compelling fixtures in English football. What began as a lower-league curiosity has grown into a modern rivalry defined by ambition, resourcefulness, and the occasional tactical chess match.
Craven Cottage, with its riverside charm and stubborn old-world feel, provides the perfect stage. It’s a ground where the past lingers in the rafters and where clubs like Bournemouth, built from humbler means, have often come to prove they belong.
Head-to-Head Record
While Fulham have traditionally had the upper hand, the balance has shifted in recent years. Both sides have climbed, stumbled, and risen again through the same divisions, meeting across the Championship and Premier League with familiar faces on both benches.
| Competition | Matches Played | Fulham Wins | Bournemouth Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Competitions | 35 | 15 | 9 | 11 |
| Premier League | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Championship | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 |
(Figures approximate to current 2025 season trends.)
The numbers show a rivalry of fine margins. Fulham’s greater historical pedigree is clear, yet Bournemouth’s tactical sharpness and knack for pressing have made them awkward guests on more than one London afternoon.
Highlights Through the Years
2014 – The Championship Showdown
When Fulham met Bournemouth in 2014, it was Eddie Howe’s side who played like Premier League regulars in waiting. They dismantled Fulham with pace and precision, a glimpse of the attacking style that would later define their top-flight seasons.
2018 – Premier League Fireworks
In their first Premier League meeting, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser tore through Fulham’s defence, while Aleksandar Mitrović fought a lonely battle up front. The 3–0 away win marked the gulf between a settled Cherries side and a newly promoted Fulham still finding its feet.
2022 – A Draw That Told a Story
Under Marco Silva and Gary O’Neil, both clubs looked reborn. The 2–2 draw at Craven Cottage that year had everything: Mitrović’s relentless physicality, Dominic Solanke’s poacher’s instinct, and a late flurry of saves that left fans breathless. It wasn’t just about points, it was about proof that both belonged at the top level.
Tactics and Identity
Fulham under Silva have become a side of balance and boldness. They press high but keep shape, relying on their wide players and deep midfield rotations to open games. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have evolved from Howe’s relentless energy to a more measured, adaptable outfit, capable of pressing high one week and sitting deep the next.
Both clubs share something rare in modern football: a belief in doing things properly. Sensible recruitment, a clear footballing identity, and a refusal to panic even when the table looks bleak.
Craven Cottage: The Riverside Fortress
There’s something about Craven Cottage that resists modernisation. Its listed stands and quaint riverside setting are as much a part of English football’s soul as any steel-and-glass super-arena. Visiting teams talk of its intimacy and its noise, a quiet hum that grows into a roar when Fulham find their rhythm.
Against Bournemouth, that setting becomes particularly fitting: two clubs built on loyalty, local pride, and the kind of football that values patience over hype.
Looking Ahead
Fulham and Bournemouth now sit comfortably in the Premier League’s middle tier, each pushing to make the leap from survival to stability. Their encounters may never headline Sky’s Super Sunday, but they tell a deeper story about English football’s second act: the clubs who refused to be left behind.
In truth, this rivalry is less about geography and more about shared spirit. Both have known relegation heartbreak and promotion ecstasy. Both have built from the ground up. And when they meet by the Thames, it’s not just another fixture, it’s two kindred stories crossing paths again.
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