CHERRIES BOMB REDS

LONDON: Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake grabbed a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 4-3 victory over Liverpool yesterday, as the visitors twice surrendered a two-goal lead in a secondhalf capitulation.

Senegal international Sadio Mane and Belgian striker Divock Origi established a 2-0 lead for Liverpool midway through the first half. Callum Wilson halved the deficit from a penalty 11 minutes into the second half, but within seven minutes, Emre Can’s fine effort from the edge of the penalty area restored the two-goal cushion.

It was snatched away, however, in stunning fashion with three Bournemouth goals in the last 20 minutes.

Substitute Ryan Fraser and defender Steve Cook scored in the space of three minutes to bring Bournemouth level and in added time, Chelsea loanee Ake grabbed a stunning winner after a mistake from Liverpool keeper Loris Karius.

Mane latched on to Can’s pass to outpace Ake and finished neatly for the first. Two minutes later, Jordan Henderson’s pass sent Origi away down the right and after easily evading the rashly onrushing goalkeeper Artur Boruc, he shot into the far corner of the net from a tight angle.

Bournemouth introduced Scotland Under-21 international Fraser 10 minutes after half-time and he had been on for barely a minute when he went down under James Milner’s challenge.

Wilson scored from the spot to give Bournemouth renewed hope.

Seven minutes later Mane set up Can for a fiercely driven hit, which seemed to leave the visitors in control again.

But Fraser ensured a lively finish by driving in Wilson’s cross with quarter of an hour to play and three minutes later Cook brought down Fraser’s cross like a veteran striker and drove in the equaliser.

Liverpool were then let down when Karius fumbled a shot from long range and Ake poked in a sensational winning goal.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said it was “a very special day” for the club.

In the other game played last night, a brilliant first half strike from Zlatan Ibrahimovic was cancelled out by an 88th minute penalty by Leighton Baines as Everton came from behind to secure a point against Manchester United.

Pictured here, Bournemouth’s Ake is swamped by his teammates after scoring their winning goal. – Text and Picture: Reuters