SOCCERLINES
Howe’s heroes romp to long-awaited victory
BOURNEMOUTH got back winning ways at long last. to
Harry Wilson’s opener, an own goal from Pascal Gross and a third from Callum Wilson sealed a victory that summed up their unity in tough times.
Another club would have sacked Eddie Howe after 10 defeats in 12 games before last night.
But this victory proves you should never write off Howe’s Dean Court heroes.
Bournemouth were helped by the fact that they were up against a Brighton side equally low on confidence.
They had managed just one win in nine, they have never won a Premier League match in January, or an away game in the competition on a Tuesday.
Graham Potter’s men started well but the turning point was a game-changing save from man of the match Aaron Ramsdale.
The Cherries keeper made himself big to keep out Neil Maupay’s 27th-minute shot. Nathan Ake blocked the rebound.
Bournemouth never looked back. Nine minutes before the break Dominic Solanke teed up Harry Wilson who rammed the ball home from inside the box.
Five minutes later, Gross sliced the ball into his own net under pressure from Callum Wilson (inset) after a corner from Diego Rico.
Ramsdale, meanwhile, was busy keeping Bournemouth in it with outstanding saves from Maupay and Aaron Mooy.
Potter made a triple substitution on the hour, bringing on Solly March, Aaron Connolly and Leandro Trossard for Bernardo, Ali Jahanbakhsh and Gross.
It made little difference. A minute later Brighton keeper Mat Ryan, not at his best by any means, was forced into a fine save to keep out a Philip Billing header from close range.
Brighton did launch a late assault on Howe’s men during the final third of the game. Maupay and Mooy drew those flying saves from Ramsdale within seven minutes of each other from outside the box.
But Solanke soon afterwards set up Callum Wilson who rounded the keeper to score with 16 minutes left.
Mooy’s fine strike, in off the post with nine minutes left, was only going to be a consolation. Bournemouth were full value for this fine win.
● WOLVES have signed 19-year-old striker Leonardo Campana from Ecuadorian club Barcelona SC.
● LEEDS want Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga. The 27-year-old has 18 months left on his contract after joining from Nottingham Forest in July 2017 for £15m.
● FORMER Manchester United and West Ham striker Javier Hernandez is joing LA Galaxy from Sevilla.
● DEFENDER Jack Robinson has joined Sheffield United from Nottingham Forest on a two-and-a-half year deal.
● WALSALL have signed midfielder Nathan Sheron on loan from Fleetwood until the end of the season.
● HULL defender Angus MacDonald has returned to full training for the first time since being diagnosed with bowel cancer in August.
● BRIGHTON defender Dan Burn has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2023.
● CARDIFF boss Neil Harris, captain Sean Morrison and club staff and supporters attended a mass in memory of Emiliano Sala in the city yesterday.