Battling Robins undone by late Danjuma goal for Bournemouth
BRISTOL City were undone by Bournemouth substitute Arnaut Danjuma’s 81stminute chip over the advancing Dan Bentley in last night’s game at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries leapfrogged the Robins to go second in this early Championship table but in truth there was little between the sides at the Vitality Stadium.
Both teams enjoyed good chances but Dean Holden’s outfit were unable to capitalise on an impressive first 45 minutes as their forwards shot blanks, only for the Premier League-relegated side to edge it late on.
In the wake of the news that Andi Weimann is out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Irishman Callum O’Dowda got the nod in the middle of the pitch to take the vacant spot.
And Holden rang the changes for a second game in a row, making five changes for the second game in succession, with Famara Diedhiou recalled for a start for the first time since the opening game against Coventry City.
City were looking for a victory after three winless games and they started in fine fashion and showing no hangover from the bad news meted out on the injury front.
With an error from the Bournemouth defence letting Semenyo have an early sight of goal, but the 20-year-old could only hit the side netting with just Asmir Begovic to beat.
Diedhiou then was flagged offside when handily placed and the Robins threatening on the counter.
Paterson’s low shot was deflected wide and Tomas Kalas then met the attacking midfielder’s corner to leap high and head into the goal... only for Joshua King to head it off the line at the last.
The home side were struggling to control the game but has a chance when Tyreeq Bakinson was caught in possession and Dominic Solanke ran across goal to fire low at the near post, that Bentley proved equal to.
Just before the break, Diedhiou almost capped a superb half for the visitors as he collected a ball in the box and feinted to cut on to his left foot, but with the shot deflecting on to the post.
After the break, Dan Gosling collected an awkward King cross to shoot a bobbly one well wide, while Bakinson showed good feet to win a free kick.
Then it was the turn of the home side to hit the woodwork: Lloyd Kelly of all people burst down the flank and combined with Smith to get into the box, rifle at goal with the ball deflecting off a City defender to then hit the upright. Junior Stanislas followed up with a low shot a minute later. Jason Tindall’s side were suddenly rampant with City’s front two unable to hold the ball up.
With an hour gone, City were being buffeted about by the intensity of the Cherries attacks and the teeming October rain coupled with the chill south-coast air. But they stood strong.
A 30-yard effort from Lewis Cook went straight down the throat of Bentley as Diedhiou flicked a header at goal from a clever cross from Paterson.
Kalas put in a magnificent tackle to deny Solanke in the box with 20 minutes to go before the Bournemouth man shot wide minutes later, but 10 minutes later the home side were able to finally breach the Robins defences, with Solanke heavily involved.
The Bournemouth man found substitute Arnaut Danjuma with a cute pass and the Dutch international dinked the ball over Bentley to grab the vital equaliser with just nine minutes left.
Arguably the two-cap international showing what money can buy in this division, with the quality in finishing making the difference in this encounter.