Isak Delivers Dream Return to Bournemouth for Iraola

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Alexander Isak scored the only goal in the 57th minute to give Liverpool a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, marking a successful return for manager Andoni Iraola to his former club. This victory extends Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League run and highlights Isak’s strong start with four goals in five matches, while Bournemouth remains winless this season.

Alexander Isak’s second-half goal gave Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola a winning return to Bournemouth, as the visitors secured a 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday. The Sweden international scored in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a well-constructed move led by Cody Gakpo, to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Premier League this season.

Isak’s strike marked his fourth goal in the first five league matches, surpassing his total Premier League goals from the previous campaign. This performance comes as a boost for Liverpool as they continue to build momentum under Iraola, who took charge after three seasons managing Bournemouth. Iraola’s departure from the Cherries followed a successful period in which he led the club to their first-ever qualification for a European competition last season. Despite the significance of the occasion, Bournemouth were unable to find a breakthrough, failing to convert late set-piece opportunities and remaining without a Premier League win so far this term.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Leeds United extended their unbeaten start to the campaign with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Elland Road. The match saw both sides create chances, with Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing a notable opportunity when his effort was saved by Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez. Earlier in the second half, a potential winning goal for Palace was disallowed following a VAR review that ruled out Tyrick Mitchell’s header.

Leeds, who sit near the top of the table following a 4-1 victory over Newcastle last weekend, entered the match with high expectations among their supporters given their strong early season form. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, delivered one of their better performances of the season and may feel unfortunate to have left without all three points after generating more significant chances during the contest.

The Premier League’s early stages continue to reflect shifts in momentum for several teams, with Liverpool and Leeds maintaining unbeaten streaks, while Bournemouth seeks to open their season with a first win.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.