Bournemouth knocked Everton out of the FA Cup after the Toffees gifted Bournemouth victory and a passage into fifth round of the the oldest Cup championship.
Tarkowski errors contributed to both Bournemouth’s first-half strikes, with the result making it the last fixture in the competition at Goodison Park.
Victory for Bournemouth meant they beat Everton for the first time in the FA Cup after previous defeats in 1937 and 2016.
“A great result for us. Two different halves. First half we were better. Second half they pushed us more and we were defending more,” Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager said.
He disclosed that his team played the worst kind of football but defended well.
“Last season in the fifth round, we played against Leicester – they scored an amazing goal in extra time – and we couldn’t play the quarter-finals. Let’s see if we can go one step more. Playing in an FA Cup quarter-final would sound nice.
“It is still too early to think about winning the FA Cup. There will still be 15 other teams. Let’s see what the draw says,” Iraola said.
The five-time winners, Toffees have hosted matches at this famous venue since 1892, but defeat meant their next home FA Cup fixture will come at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, where the Toffees are scheduled to move for the start of next season.
Read also: FA Cup fourth round draw: All confirmed fixtures
David Moyes’ men were much improved in the second half and incredibly hit the woodwork three times, but could not find a way past visiting keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Deadline-day signing Carlos Alcaraz came off the bench for Everton and curled a 25-yard free-kick against the post, while Jake O’Brien’s header and Jack Harrison’s cross both came crashing off the other upright.
Iraola has performed a sterling job since taking over at Bournemouth in 2023 and led the south coast club to seventh in the Premier League this season.
On Saturday, they needed a helping hand from the opposition but were clinical when the chances were presented to them in the opening period.
Semenyo set them on their way in the 23rd minute with a confident penalty after being hacked down by the hapless Tarkowski, with sheer power beating Pickford despite the England international diving the right way.
Fellow forward Jebbison was in the right place at the right time to net the second, with Tarkowski again punished after attempting to play out from the back but sending a pass straight to a Bournemouth player.
The Cherries had the better early chances and could have scored in the opening 10 seconds – like Everton had done here against Leicester in their previous Premier League game – but Marcus Tavernier’s effort was well blocked by Tarkowski.
Justin Kluivert came off the bench after the hour mark and almost scored with his first touch, having a curling strike pushed away by Pickford, while the Everton goalkeeper then brilliantly kept out Dango Ouattara’s thumping strike.
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