Everton finally broke their long-standing Vitality Stadium curse on Tuesday night, securing a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth thanks to a late, deflected strike from Jack Grealish.
Grealish's Decisive Moment Breaks the Deadlock
The match, played on Tuesday 2 December 2025, looked to be heading for a stalemate until the 78th minute. The breakthrough came from midfielder Jack Grealish, whose effort took a crucial deflection on its way past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. This solitary goal was enough to seal all three points for the Toffees and mark a significant end to a frustrating run of form on the south coast.
Bournemouth's Youthful Side Denied by Fine Margins
The home side, who fielded their youngest ever Premier League starting XI, had their own moments and saw a first-half goal chalked off for a tight offside decision. Their keeper, Petrovic, was in inspired form for much of the contest, making a series of key saves to keep his team in the game. One notable stop came from close range to deny Everton's Thierno Barry a certain goal.
Historical Win for Toffees' Travelling Support
Despite Bournemouth's resilience, Everton held on to record a precious away win. The result carries substantial historical weight, as it is Everton's first victory at the Vitality Stadium since 2016, ending a nine-year wait for their fans. The win provides a vital boost for Sean Dyche's side in the Premier League table, while Bournemouth will rue the fine margins that cost them a point.
