Through wind and rain came the end of summer and a new era at the Vitality. Milan will visit Dorset this autumn, and travel to San Sebastián, Galicia, and Czechia awaits. The stadium itself is under renovation, exoskeletons to be filled in, new security cordons to negotiate. An unbeaten home record that stretches back to 3 January sustains, though so does Bournemouth’s ability to concede late goals, James Tarkowski’s equaliser coming in injury time.
For all that renewal, Bournemouth kicked off with a familiar look, only António Silva in central defence an addition to the starting lineup Marco Rose inherited from Andoni Iraola. If the club stance is Alex Scott remains whatever the offers, his first-half goal and overall performance can only add to the cachet. Amid a game played at regulation Premier League 1.5x speed, as others careered around on a sodden surface, the Channel Islander made time and space bend to his will, the mark of true talent.
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