By Ben Bonsey
CHERRIES got back to winning ways yesterday after an impressive win over relegation rivals Norwich.
Bournemouth took an early lead with Dan Gosling planting a superb Pugh cross beyond the reach of Declan Rudd in the first ten minutes of the game.
Cherries could have easily doubled their lead in the first half with Daniels being tugged down by Russell Martin in the box resulting in huge penalty claims from fans and players alike.
The penalty claim was dismissed by referee Robert Madley. Again, refereeing decisions where in the lime light not long after with Declan Rudd fortunate to remain on the pitch.
The Norwich keeper rushed out to meet an oncoming Benik Afobe, wiping him out just outside the box. A yellow was issued to the keeper, but many feel it should have been more.
However in the 54nd minute, Vadis Odjidja brought down Pugh in the box to allow Daniels to score from the spot making it 2-0 to the home outfit.
Afobe claimed his first goal in red and black stripes in the 75th minute after latching onto an incredible pinpoint Daniels cross, who bombed down the left after beating two men.
Cherries were well deserved of their 3-0 win with Howe saying: “It was a really good afternoon for us, really good start great goal from Marc Pugh’s cross to Dan Goslings header. It set the platform really and from that moment the game never got away from us.”
“We always try to start any game with a positive attitude, take the game to the opposition, not to sit back and absorb pressure, try and be the team that creates,” he added.
“It has contributed to fast starts, we haven’t always followed that through and ended up winning the games that we perhaps feel we deserve.
“But today was pleasing as we never let the momentum drop, we scored a key second goal at a good time and kept a clean sheet and they are all thing we are going to need to do between now and the end of the season.”
Cherries could have easily scored more in the game but did not tuck all their chances away. A key turning point in the game was at 2-0 when Mbokani missed a one-on-one with Bournemouth keeper Arter Boruc, shooting well over, capping of a poor performance from Norwich.
Alex Neil, Norwich manager was disappointed with his sides performance and is looking to move on:
“It wasn’t a good afternoon for us, we didn’t perform well enough. I think Bournemouth deserved the win they played well in the match, but we certainly didn’t do ourselves justice,” he said.
“Poor performances, pretty much as simple as that. I don’t think we competed well enough, I don’t think our use of the ball was good enough and we didn’t defend our box well enough.
“If you combine all of that then and showcase that at this level you are going to find it extremely difficult to win any game.”
Bournemouth played fantastically well, with Afobe showing to the Cherries faithful why £10 million was a swoop for the young 22 year old striker.
Next game is more than crucial for Bournemouth. They visit the Stadium of Light to a rejuvenated Black Cats side which Allardyce has managed to get performing.
Bournemouth have managed to climb five points away from the drop but next weekend’s six-pointer will be a huge turning point in the season for both clubs.
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