How can the club with the smallest ground in the Premier League beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle in the same three-month period? It's simple: nail the basics.
Bournemouth have been schooling opposing teams in the art of fundamentals all season. They run harder and further than most opponents. They chase more aggressively and apply pressure. And most importantly, everyone works together.
This is a side that thrives on synchronicity, bound together by a perfect understanding of how risk and reward work on the football pitch. No gimmicks, no big name stars with ridiculous salaries in the limelight, just a team full of workhorses.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Newcastle v Bournemouth in the Premier League
And in no way does that sound reductive, on the contrary. Bournemouth aren't blessed with wealth, or a particularly big squad, but they are led by a coach who knows how to maximize every inch of his squad's strengths and has a refreshing appreciation for football with and without statistics.
Andoni Iraola knows only one way. His transition style, which consistently chases big losses, is fascinating to watch when it clicks, and Saturday's demolition of Newcastle was just the latest in a string of mesmerizing examples.
Bournemouth did what very few teams have, or will do against Eddie Howe's side at St James' Park. To have the courage to take on a team that has won nine straight in all competitions is either brave or foolish.
In recent weeks, Man United, Tottenham and Arsenal (in the Carabao Cup) have proven the latter. Not Bournemouth, however. The Cherries know themselves too well and are all committed to the same “vertical” game plan week after week. Iraola's way.
“If we're going to lose, then let's lose doing what we've been doing all season,” the boss told reporters after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago. “Be more aggressive in the press, more vertical, more rhythm,” he added, as if the away point at Chelsea was less than satisfactory.
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Highlights from Chelsea v Bournemouth in the Premier League
The Spaniard recently congratulated his players against Newcastle for a beautifully “complete” performance. They made their hosts look ordinary.
Tagging people was happening all over the field. Regularly unheralded Ryan Christie typified the approach, making a record nine tackles at the weekend (the most by a midfielder in the Premier League this season), with his key to Bournemouth's ability to quickly regain possession.
They also forced Newcastle into a record 38 failed passes in their own half.
Jamie Carragher has examined Bournemouth's success Monday Night Football: “You're going against a Newcastle midfield that I believe has been the best in the Premier League in recent months with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
“Bournemouth like to press 4-4-2 and they matched Newcastle, they were combative, but it's not just about energy, it's about precise timing and organization.”
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Jamie Carragher demolishes Ryan Christie's influence in Bournemouth's 4-1 win over Newcastle
Bournemouth move like puppets on strings – one player jumps to press and close, triggering the movement of the next player to drop into the line, who signals to the next and it ripples throughout the team.
They were progressive on the ball, too, completing 80 passes beyond the offside line – more than any other team over 22 matches – and making 16 dribbles, also a league high.
All this from a team suffering from too many mid-season injuries.
For perspective, Iraola is down to the bare bones with nine first-team players. But that doesn't change his demand for high-tempo aggression. The identity is consistent from game to game and has become a hallmark of each of their 10 Premier League victories, regardless of the combination of players they field.
That's the real spoiler here. While Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou (and they're not the only culprits) complain about their injured squads, sending out signals for help at most press conferences, Iraola just gets on with things.
If anything, Bournemouth look more energetic than ever – only once in their last six games have they outscored them (against Everton), and only by a fraction of the distance (0.6k).
In 16 of their 22 league away games this season, Bournemouth have exceeded their opponents' expected goals (xG), including games against Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea. Their 45 shots conceded is a number that even Premier League leaders and press masters Liverpool can't match.
The impact of the changes in the game also made a difference, as Bournemouth picked up 17 points through goal contributions (13) from the bench. And it probably explains the growing buzz around Iraola's place in the elite managerial pool, reportedly attracting the attention of Tottenham and other contenders.
Bournemouth's boom will be one of the more unlikely underdog stories of recent months for many, but there's no denying their authenticity. Work hard, work smart and punching above your weight becomes much less demanding.
The hype is definitely on the rise and will continue to do so if Iraola can come up with more of the same in this sensational hunt for European football.