DEFOE’S ON A HIGH TO GIVE CHERRIES BOOST
EX-SUNDERLAND STRIKER RELISHES WINNER AS BOURNEMOUTH BREAK PREMIER DUCK
Jermain Defoe was thrilled after the first goal of his second Bournemouth spell inspired the Cherries to last night’s 2-1 victory over Brighton.
The former Sunderland striker scored his first Bournemouth goal in 16 years as Eddie Howe’s men came from behind to win their first Premier League game of the season.
Solly March’s 55thminute header, from Pascal Gross’s whipped cross, had Brighton dreaming of a second successive league win but Andrew Surman levelled.
Surman traded passes with Jordon Ibe, collecting the sub’s neat backheel, cut inside Lewis Dunk’s rash challenge – and coolly sidefooted home.
Defoe then stole the victory. Ibe played in the England international, who turned, scurried on and buried a drive past keeper Mathew Ryan, a timely finish from a timeless striker who has now scored in 17 separate Premier League campaigns.
After the game, Defoe said: “I thought when we went a goal down, we really dug in – the tempo changed completely. We were on the front foot. Credit to the lads.
“On a personal note, I’m just delighted to get my first goal back and it was the winner so we’re delighted with the three points.”
Defoe, who left Sunderland in the summer, has now scored against 36 different Premier League teams, with only Frank Lampard (39), Andrew Cole (38) and Alan Shearer (37) managing more.
Manager Howe is hopeful that Bournemouth can kick on after getting their first points of the campaign.
He said: “When you start a season you want those first points on the board – that first win – as quickly as you can. It’s taken longer than we’d hoped but it’s come now and hopefully that can set us off.”
Speaking about Ibe’s impact, Howe added: “He’s such a talent. He can beat people in really tight areas and he did that for the two goals.”
“I hope that’s the kickstart, the confidence boost that he needs because he could be a difference-maker for us.”
Brighton boss Chris Hughton was disappointed to see his side leave emptyhanded after taking the lead.
He said: “It was hard to take. We knew we were up against a Bournemouth side that would be pushing to get their first win.
“They’re very good on the ball, they had very, very good movement, but I thought we matched them.
“Once we took the lead, if anything, that spurred them into perhaps making the changes that they did and they had to go for it a little bit more. Also I thought we conceded two poor goals, which was unlike us given what we’d done in the period before that.”