Rowett’s men are Shott in the foot
BIRMINGHAM boss Gary Rowett bemoaned the defensive lapse which meant his side had to settle for a draw against QPR.
The Blues maintained their unbeaten away record in the Championship this season at Loftus Road, where Lukas Jutkiewicz’s 23rd-minute goal put them ahead.
But Rangers levelled six minutes before half-time when Steven Caulker got away from Ryan Shotton to head home Tjaronn Chery’s right-wing corner.
Rowett said: “Shotts lost his man. He apologised to the other lads at half-time. He just switched off for a second and didn’t get tight.
“We knew QPR, given that they’re under pressure after recent results, might go a little bit more direct and put balls in to make us defend.
“That’s what they did and they made a really aggressive start but we settled into the game very well.
“I felt we were fairly comfortable and we scored but it was very disappointing that we then allowed them to get into an area to get a corner and then score.”
Rangers, recently beaten 6-0 at home by Newcastle and now having won just one of their last seven league games, were much improved after the interval.
Rowett added: “In the second half we had to weather it a bit. It was a combination of QPR’s desperation to get that win they’re looking for and us being poor.
“There was a little bit of pressure we had to deal with but sometimes you have to do that away from home.”
QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was encouraged by his team’s performance, particularly the contribution of Polish winger Pawel Wszolek.
The recent signing came on in the first half for the injured Jordan Cousins and created three good opportunities the home side were unable to take.
“He did very well. He is getting used to the English game and we think he’s going to improve,” said Hasselbaink. “He is very positive.” CAP: dfgh Stanislas proved the Toffees’ tormentor-in-chief for the second season running, firing the only goal on the south coast – to add to his late double that stole a 3-3 draw last term. Everton’s fine start to Premier League life under new boss Ronald Koeman hit the skids, with the visitors unable to find rhythm or fluency. The visitors were unable to add to their four wins and one draw in the league, perhaps still smarting from their 2-0 midweek EFL Cup home defeat to Norwich. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and his players showed no sympathy for Koeman’s troubles, however, with a priceless second league win of the campaign safely in the bag. And Howe firmly believes Bournemouth can better last term’s Premier League debut finish of 16th. “I said previously I believe we are better than last year but that can look foolish if we don’t back that up,” he said. “That has to be decided on the pitch, that has to be proved week in week out. “It’s difficult to say that now, we have to prove that at the end of the season.” Everton will return north with Koeman left to ponder the wishy- washy s howing o f £ 25million summer recruit Yannick Bolasie and the general lack of understanding between striker Romelu Lukaku and his supporting cast. Bournemouth dominated an entertaining first half, with Stanislas’ f i ne 20-yard strike separating the sides at the break. Everton had only themselves to blame for trailing by that solitary goal at the turnaround, with the visitors curiously sluggish in possession. Artur Boruc saved well from Lukaku’s point-blank header but after that the Toffees struggled. Jack Wilshere ought to have opened the scoring, only for the lunging Seamus Coleman to deflect the ball on to the bar.
Callum Wilson outmuscled Ashley Williams before squaring unselfishly to the onrushing Wilshere and the Arsenal loanee really should have buried the gilt-edged chance.
Harry Arter’s drive across the face of goal brushed the outside post with Maarten Stekelenburg motionless.
But just when Bournemouth started to fret about missed chances, Stanislas produced the first half ’s outstanding moment, driving home from outside the box.
Boruc tipped away Gerard Deulofeu’s testing cross, while the largely anonymous Bolasie drove over from 18 yards. What rallies Everton could muster came to nothing, Bournemouth holding firm despite five minutes’ stoppage time.
And Howe says Bournemouth will continue to handle Wilshere with kid gloves.
“We’ll judge it week by week, day by day, but his training time has increased a nd t hat is reflected in his performance,” said Howe.
“We want to keep him fit, so ultimately we can keep him on the pitch. And if we can do that he’s going to be a brilliant player for us.
“The midfield looks exciting for the future if we can keep those players fit and that balance.
“They enabled us to control the game and improve as the match went on.
“It was a really energetic effort from him. And it could be very nice for us to see in the future.”
Koeman accepted the loss would “maybe” prove a dose of reality, after the Toffees lost second place in the league.
“We know we will not win every game, it’s the Premier League, we need to be prepared for everyone,” he said.
“In my opinion Bournemouth are a good team, they will not fight against relegation.
“From us it was not good enough. In the first half Bournemouth were the better team with more aggression. “It’s a pity because we needed to start like that.” BOURNEMOUTH: EVERTON: EVERTON’S NEXT GAME: