KELLY: CAHILL KEY TO UNLOCK SUCCESS

Solanke 6, 19

BLACKPOOL 2 Husband 57, Yates 60 pen

BOURNEMOUTH captain Lloyd Kelly is backing Gary Cahill to stiffen up the Cherries defence and keep their promotion bid on track.

A draw with Blackpool maintained the club’s unbeaten start to the season, but Scott Parker’s side capitulated in three second-half minutes having been completely dominant up to that point.

Kelly (left) said of former England star Cahill, 35, who watched the match at the Vitality Stadium (inset): “He has got so much experience and knowledge.

“I know he is going to be important this season – he’s going to be key to our success, 100 percent.

“It’s just being that sponge, picking his brain and getting that knowledge off him – I am looking forward to that.”

A Dominic Solanke double inside 20 minutes looked to have the game won for the Cherries. But Blackpool rallied in the second half to claim a point with a goal from James Husband and a penalty from Jerry Yates.

The promoted Tangerines’ impressive fightback left manager Neil Critchley beaming with pride.

He said: “Our character, resilience, spirit and ability was outstanding. We worked our way back into the game and more than matched a good team.”

That spirit was epitomised by defender Marvin Ekpiteta, who repeatedly put his body on the line for the Tangerines.

“We said at half time, the next goal is the most important and we got that, and it gave us the extra push to get the next one too,” Ekpiteta said.

“We’re learning it’s going to be a very tough season. There’s some massive teams in this division. It’s definitely a step up.”