Bournemouth made it four wins from four in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, coming from behind to beat Sparta Prague 3-1 and stay top of the 36-team table on 12 points.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time at the epet Arena in Prague, the Cherries scored three times in the second half to complete the turnaround, according to UEFA and TNT Sports. The win keeps Bournemouth level on points with Benfica at the summit, with 11 goals scored and just two conceded across the four matches.
It was the night’s headline act in a Europa League matchday that delivered shocks elsewhere, including AC Milan’s home defeat to Ferencvaros.
Second-half surge seals it
Bournemouth’s response after the break was emphatic. Having gone in behind at the interval, they took control of the second half and found three goals to turn the game around and leave Prague with all three points.
The performance underlined how far the club has come in Europe. Bournemouth’s campaign has been built on a settled, confident side that has now won every league-phase game so far, and they look increasingly like genuine contenders to finish in the top eight and skip the knockout play-off round.
Sparta Prague, backed by a loud home crowd, had made life difficult in the first half, but could not live with Bournemouth once the visitors found their rhythm after the restart.
English sides endure a mixed night
Elsewhere on Thursday, the English clubs had contrasting fortunes. Sunderland lost 2-0 at home to Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadium of Light, and Crystal Palace were held 1-1 by Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park.
Celtic produced the night’s wildest game, beating Besiktas 3-2 with all five goals coming after half-time, while Juventus won 2-1 away at AZ Alkmaar and Marseille won 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen to end the Germans’ perfect record.
The results leave Bournemouth and Benfica as the only two sides on maximum points after four rounds, with Ferencvaros also unbeaten after their stunning win at San Siro.
What the perfect start means
Four wins from four puts Bournemouth in a commanding position with four league-phase games still to play. The top eight go straight through to the last 16, and the Cherries’ goal difference and defensive record — just two goals conceded — give them a cushion even if results dip.
The club’s European adventure is still young, but the belief is growing. If Bournemouth keep playing like this, the conversation will soon shift from qualification to how far they can actually go.
Related reading:
Arsenal Beat Slavia Prague 2-1 To Stay Unbeaten In Europe
Fenerbahce Stun Liverpool 3-2 In Istanbul To End Perfect Run
Sources: UEFA.com Europa League fixtures and results (Nov 5, 2026); TNT Sports UEFA recap (Nov 5, 2026).
