HOWE’S THAT!

Boss thrilled by Cherries comeback

Eddie Howe preaches staying cool in a crisis — and now he knows his Bournemouth players have been listening.

on a dramatic afternoon they stormed back from two goals down for a victory that puts them a point clear of the rest in the race to reach the Premier League.

All season people have expected them to falter. But yesterday they showed they won’t give up without a fight the dream of completing a journey from League Two to the elite.

‘our mental strength was the key,’ said a delighted Howe. ‘it is the first time we have fallen behind at home and you could have accused the players of going under. But we stayed in the game, kept fighting and kept going.’

The Cherries had slumped to fourth in the ‘As it Stands’ table as Clayton donaldson beat Artur Boruc after 18 minutes, and almost immediately david Cotterill got another.

But Bournemouth rallied. on 39 minutes, Matt Ritchie whipped in a corner from the right and Tommy elphick and Steve Cook leapt for it, the latter eventually bundling the ball over the line.

Then in first-half stoppage time Yann Kermorgant played a perfectly weighted ball between defender and goalkeeper for Callum wilson to round darren Randolph and tap in.

only three minutes into the second half they were in front. wilson broke free down the right, carried the ball into the box and was scythed down by Birmingham defender Paul Robinson. Kermorgant stroked in the penalty.

‘The officials were inconsistent,’ said Birmingham boss Gary Rowett. ‘we had three clear onsides given off and wilson was level when he won the penalty.’

Bournemouth weren’t done. on 74 minutes substitute Adam Smith had a shot blocked, and after a ricochet the ball came out to Charlie daniels, who struck a shot into the ground which looped in off the bar.

To add to Birmingham’s discontent, Paul Robinson was sent off for a foul as the last man in the 77th minute.