'Big Six' who? Sour Cherries make their lives miserable

Looking at the Premier League table won't help you understand how good Bournemouth actually are this season. Andoni Iraola's team sits in eighth spot - seven points behind Aston Villa - and will probably fail to secure their maiden participation in European competitions, though there are three remaining rounds to be played.

The other point of view - and the one that thoroughly shows the Cherries' significance for the EPL - would be analyzing their clashes against the members of the so-called "Big Six" - Arsenal, Man United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool.

The probable vice-champions for the third consecutive time, Arsenal had the hardest time facing Bournemouth, losing both of this season's duels against the side from the far south of England.

Iraola's men handed the Gunners their first defeat of the season last October (2-0) and then beat them again at Emirates yesterday (2-1), though Mikel Arteta's crew is more focused on the UCL semi-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Cherries were on the verge of a double against Man United as well, and only thanks to Rasmus Hojlund and his added-time leveller a week ago (1-1) did the Red Devils avoid Arsenal's fate. In the two rivals' first match of the season, Bournemouth easily conquered Old Trafford (3-0).

Hojlund scores the later equalizer against Bournemouth (©Reuters/Paul Childs/Gallo Images)

The club from Vitality Stadium remained unbeaten against Tottenham, too, noting a win and a draw. In Bournemouth, Dean Huijsen scored a winner for the home team, while Spurs barely managed to avoid defeat in London despite being 2-0 down 25 minutes before the end of the game.

Although they didn't shine this season, Chelsea gave only one point to Cherries, becoming one of six teams to win at Vitality. In the fourth round, Christopher Nkunku's late winner brought three points on the road to the Blues. However, at Stamford Bridge, Reece James' free-kick banger levelled the score in the 95th minute, snatching the whole spoils from Bournemouth.

The Cherries faced Man City twice in the ongoing campaign, though only once in the EPL, as the duel at Etihad is scheduled for May 20. In the south of England, the home team triumphed 2-1 and thus marked the beginning of the Cityzens' unprecedented Premier League crisis.

Yet, Pep Guardiola's men took their vengeance in the FA Cup quarter-finals a month ago, eliminating the rivals 2-1, despite being down at the break.

Finally, the champions Liverpool were the only ones from the elite to note a double against Bournemouth, recording two clean-sheet victories - 3-0 at Anfield and 2-0 on the road, which is another proof that the Reds deserved the title they won.

In general, Bournemouth won 18 out of 33 possible points against the "Big Six," and their upcoming clash against Man City will provide their total tally. But regardless of that game's outcome, Iraola's team showed everyone they knew how to make the lives of the rich and mighty pretty miserable.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 35

Friday

Man. City - Wolverhampton 1-0 (1-0)

/De Bruyne 35/

Saturday

Aston Villa - Fulham 1-0 (1-0)

/Tielemans 12/

Everton - Ipswich 2-2 (2-1)

/Beto 26, McNeil 35 - Enciso 41, Hirst 79/

Leicester - Southampton 2-0 (2-0)

/Vardy 17, Ayew 44/

Arsenal - Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)

/Rice 34 - Huijsen 67, Evanilson 75/

Sunday

Brentford - Manchester United 4-3 (2-1)

/Shaw 27 og, Schade 33, 70, Wissa 74 - Mount 14, Garnacho 82, Diallo 90+5/

Brighton - Newcastle 1-1 (1-0)

/Minteh 28 - Isak 89 pen/

West Ham - Tottenham 1-1 (1-1)

/Bowen 28 - Odobert 15/

Chelsea - Liverpool 3-1 (1-0)

/Fernandez 3, Quansah 56 og, Palmer 90+6 pen - Van Dijk 90+5/

Monday

22:00: (2.20) Crystal Palace (3.40) Nott.Forest (3.55)

***odds are subject to change***