PREMIER LEAGUE Wilson’s back just in time for Southgate call
HOW Bournemouth have missed Callum Wilson. His goals, primarily, but his presence too tends to have a galvanising effect on the team.
So welcome back Mr Wilson, and in front of England head coach Gareth Southgate too.
The striker marked his return from a six-week injury lay-off by chesting Bournemouth into a first-half lead from a Ryan Fraser cross. In the second-half they swapped roles, with Wilson presenting the ball to his teammate for an easy finish.
It was Wilson’s 13th goal of the season and showed again how the forward has a happy knack when it comes to timing. Having marked his England debut with a goal against USA last year, Wilson put himself into contention for the double-header against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
‘An outstanding player, he has got unique attributes for us,’ said Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
‘He had a couple of chances and it was good to see him score. Also impressive was his assist for Ryan, a great reverse pass.’
On Southgate’s presence at the John Smith’s Stadium, Howe added: ‘My priority is to make sure Callum is fit and fine for Bournemouth.’
A dreadful week for Howe has suddenly become a whole load better, and not just because he is now allowed to drive sheep down the high street in Bournemouth.
It is one of the perks of being named a Freeman of the City, apparently. All lighthearted fun in the wake of a record nine successive away defeats and an injury crisis.
Howe is not planning a career change, just yet, even if times have been tough recently. Instead he could revel in an opening goal which took 21 touches.
There must be something in the Yorkshire air. Wilson loves to score against Huddersfield, netting seven in the last six League appearances against the Yorkshiremen.
Huddersfield look like a team who have accepted their fate, despite the fans and their clappers and even with a new manager at the helm.
Jan Siewert did not hold back afterwards. The tongue-lashing was no loss of temper but instead a calculated demolition job.
He said: ‘I feel sorry for our fans. I will talk to the players honestly tomorrow morning. We are in a difficult situation, but we must fight for everything in our final eight games. The second goal killed us today.
‘I can’t defend that performance today. It’s unacceptable. The second-half was slightly better than the first, but neither was good enough. This is not my football. I didn’t like it at all.’ Bournemouth are hardly world beaters, after all. To put this match into context, only Fulham have lost more on their travels than Bournemouth this season. Since banking six points against West Ham and Chelsea, Bournemouth had not won in five, failed to score in three of those and conceded 12 goals. In other words, Huddersfield had a reason to feel a bit of optimism.
Just to tip the glass a little further into half-full territory, Aaron Mooy forced a save from Artur Boruc with an early free kick from the edge of the area.
Wilson — who else — was at the centre of the first meaningful attack from Bournemouth, picking up Fraser’s pass and shooting only to see Jonas Lossl block with his legs. Home manager Siewert, brought on Chris Lowe at half-time and he came close to making an immediate impact with a run down the left followed by a cross which just sailed over the head of Elias Kachunga.
Huddersfield had a penalty shout too, Alex Pritchard convinced he had been fouled by Nathan Ake but referee Anthony Taylor was having none of it.
Moods were not improved when Bournemouth defender Adam Smith went down injured off the pitch, then moved on to the pitch in front of the dug-out to receive treatment. His injury was real, though and he was off straight away anyway.
The Cherries could have had another near the end when Matthias Jorgensen was called upon to clear Ake’s header.
Huddersfield’s one ray of sunlight was substitute Aaron Rowe making his Premier League debut at the age of 18. HUDDERSFIELD (4-1-2-1-2): Lossl 6; Bacuna 6, Schindler 6, Jorgensen 6, Durm 5.5; Stankovic 6; Billing 5.5 (Lowe, 45min, 6) Mooy 6; Pritchard 6; Kachunga 5 (Rowe, 75), Mounie 5 (Grant, 61, 5.5). Booked: Kachunga, Stankovic. Subs (not used): Hamer, Hadergonaj, Daly, Puncheon.
BOURNEMOUTH 4-4-2: Boruc 6.5; Smith 7 (Clyne 44, 6.5), Mepham 7, Ake 7, Daniels 6.5; Brooks 6.5 (Solanke 66, 6), Surman 7.5 Fraser 8, Lerma 7; Wilson 8, King 6.5. Booked: Fraser. Subs (not used): Begovic, Mousset, Rico, Simpson, Surridge. Referee: A Taylor (Cheshire) 7.