Why Evanilson and Hill give Cherries strong spine

[Getty Images] Bournemouth's 3-0 demolition of Manchester United - their third victory by that scoreline in four visits to Old Trafford, the other being a 4-4 draw - naturally left all the post-match headlines about the home side's failings on and off the pitch, with the future of Red Devils boss Michael Carrick in serious doubt. However, the Cherries' run of form should not go unrecognised, after a purple patch of four games in 11 days, in which they scored 11 goals, conceded none, and racked up wins over Sturm Graz, Sunderland , AC Milan and United. Having begun the season with a tendency to concede late in games, while failing to convert enough of their chances, Marco Rose's side have improved at both ends of the field - with standout performances from two key players in the spine of their team. Evanilson's record of 16 goals from 67 Premier League appearances in two seasons under Andoni Iraola was modest, but as with the man he replaced - Dominic Solanke - it did not reflect the striker's all-round contribution to the team. But the Brazilian seems to have found an extra gear under Rose, recording four goals from 11 appearances across the Premier League and Europa League, while his tally of four assists is the joint highest in the top flight this season. Sunderland, for instance, were unable to cope with Evanilson's physicality, with defender Kevin Danso sent off for virtually rugby-tackling Bournemouth's number nine after he had wriggled clear of his markers to bear down on goal. As well as forcing errors leading to cautions, red cards, free-kicks and penalties, an unselfish side to Evanilson's game also creates opportunities for others, with the main beneficiary being Marcus Tavernier. The former Middlesbrough man's six goals from 12 appearances in all competitions is only two short of his season-best goal tally, with October not yet finished. At the other end, James Hill is a perfect example of the maxim that good things come to those who wait. The centre-back signed from Fleetwood Town in January 2022 for an initial £1m as "one for the future", and found himself loaned out to Hearts and Blackburn while having to bide his time for a sustained spell in the Cherries' side. A 4-1 thumping at Brentford just after Christmas in 2025 proved to be the catalyst as Iraola then gave Hill an extended run in place of Bafode Diakite, and Hill has never looked back. He played his part in the 18-game unbeaten league run which ended last season, and has shone in the recent sequence of wins, culminating in a titanic display at Old Trafford which earned him recognition in teams of the week compiled by Troy Deeney for the BBC, Alan Shearer for the Premier League, as well as similar XIs selected by Yahoo Sports and whoscored.com - who gave Hill a 9.47 rating, their highest of the weekend. While one or both of Evanilson and Hill may be rested for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa , their value to Rose's Cherries cannot be underestimated. Explore Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds