AFC Bournemouth travelled one of the furthest distances in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, but left the Stadium of Light empty handed after a breathless 90 minutes. Here are five things I have picked out from an up-and-down afternoon:

1. Our away form is not good enough

In the last four games away from home, we have conceded 13 goals, picking up just one point at Crystal Palace. That means we have lost the last three on the bounce on the road – and something has to give, especially defensively. Of course, the way we play sets us up to be potentially vulnerable at the back, and we have played some very good sides, but it is far too easy to score goals against AFCB at the moment. Just one win away all season – undoubtedly our best performance of the campaign (home or away), as we beat Spurs 1-0. On that day Iraola’s side were lightning going forward and very strong at the back, and the team need find a way to hit those heights again. Set pieces in particular are a weak point at the moment, with two more goals conceded that way yesterday, and Djordje Petrovic hasn’t covered himself in glory in recent weeks. Game management must be improved as well – to lead by two, even so early on, and come away with nothing is simply not good enough for a team with such high aspirations.

2. Evanilson has become too desperate for a goal

Unfortunately, someone else who hasn’t covered themselves in glory in recent weeks is Evanilson. I would like to do an extended article on him at some point, but with games coming thick and fast, there isn’t time at the moment. I said last weekend that Evanilson’s season couldn’t be summed up better than when he was through and goal but slipped in the adverse conditions; somehow he one-upped himself this week. Firstly, he somehow managed to hit Robin Roefs when presented with a tap-in from the 6 yard area – the shot then hit the post and thankfully, Amine Adli was on hand to score. But in the second half, with Sunderland having just levelled, Antoine Semenyo’s deflected cross looked to be heading in, however an offside Evanilson instinctively stuck out a leg, tapping the ball home and ruling the goal out. Although it was likely completely instinctive, it was incredibly frustrating to see, and sums up the Brazilian’s form at the moment. Away from goal, he had some good moments in the game as usual – but he looks so completely devoid of confidence in front of goal. It reminds me a lot of Dom Solanke before he finally scored for the club. It’s a big dilemma now whether Iraola keeps him in the XI for Tuesday night.

3. Iraola’s frustration may not have helped the team

I must preface this point by saying two things: firstly, that referee Tim Robinson did have an extremely poor game, for both sides, and that seeing the manager of the club I support showing such passion is never a bad thing. But I have certainly never seen Andoni Iraola so irate in my life, he was visibly furious at a number of calls, and I’m not sure that showcasing his frustrations so openly helped the side. Lewis Cook was stupidly sent off for raising his elbow, whilst Marcos Senesi and David Brooks were booked for dissent. Those two will now miss this week’s game against Everton after picking up five yellows for the season – extremely avoidable bookings, now leaving the team very shorthanded for Tuesday night. Frustrations are understandable and show passion for the club, but they must be better controlled in these moments to ensure there is no repeat showing.

4. Amine Adli deserves huge credit

I’ll try to end the last two points with something more positive, as hard as it is to feel positive about the afternoon. After arriving to the club for £25M in the summer, Amine Adli has found opportunities hard to come by, but found himself in the starting lineup for just the second time in a Bournemouth shirt on Saturday. He rewarded Andoni Iraola with a very positive first half performance – it was fantastic to see him open his account for the club with his aforementioned goal, one that clearly meant so much to him. He worked very hard off the ball, winning four tackles, four recoveries and 7/10 ground duels, which might please Iraola even more than the goal he scored. He also created a chance, was 1/1 in dribbles and made three passes into the final third. Adli did trail off slightly in the second half, but I would expect him to keep his place in the starting XI this week, a true testament to his character. Well done that man.

5. Tyler Adams has been our most consistent player this season

Seeing Tyler Adams score from the halfway line is certainly not something I ever had on my bingo card, but his spectacular effort from just inside the centre circle to put us two to the good was truly something to behold. It was a great moment to mark his 50th appearance for the club, and will surely win the goal of the season award when the campaign is over. Adams had a tough matchup in midfield against the strong engine room of Sunderland, led by Grant Xhaka, but was up to the task despite Alex Scott then Lewis Cook not at their best next to him. In a solid performance, he won 2/3 of both aerial + ground duels, was successful with 89% of his passes and made six defensive contributions. This man seemingly never drops anything less than a 7/10 performance. He is also on four bookings, but unlike some of his counterparts, kept his cool meaning he can play his part on Tuesday. Availability is the best ability.