Ant and Sol stir Cherries
64, 90+4 PARKER’S MEN SHOW FIGHT TO STAY AT THE TOP
BOURNEMOUTH bounced back in style with a mauling of Swansea to keep them at the summit.
Dominic Solanke helped himself to two goals, as did Jaidon Anthony, in a fiery match which saw Cherries boss Scott Parker running on the pitch to pull players apart during a brawl in the first half.
Referee Tony Harrington stuggled to contain the warring players and the match threatened to boil over after several clashes while the result was still in the balance. Parker said: “I forgot where I was to be quite honest with you.
“I wanted to protect everyone in that moment.
“Silly of me, but I wanted to go in and stop any of the players doing something stupid.
“I love that though – the passion we showed today.
“We stood up to the fight while not crossing the line and that’s what I ask the players to do.”
Swansea started well and should have been given a penalty when Manchester United loan wing-back Ethan Laird was clipped in the area by Leif Davis.
The Cherries soon scored their opener when Philip Billing slid the ball across for Solanke to score from close range with the Swans bench and defenders furious that the linesman’s flag had not gone up.
Head coach Russell Martin said: “Ethan gets fouled in the box. The official admits there’s contact, he just didn’t think there was enough.
“The first goal was marginally offside.
“It’s a difficult one for the linesman, but it was.”
“I think we started the game brilliantly.
“It’s really disappointing we don’t score when we’re on top.
“The difference is that they have Billing and Solanke, and they are ruthless. I’m hurt that we lost 4-0. I don’t think the guys deserved that.”
Swansea were right in an exciting game at half-time but once Solanke scored a brilliant second, they fell apart.
Davis hoisted the ball into the near post and Solanke acrobatically volleyed in a memorable 14th goal of the season.
The third came when Swansea captain Matt Grimes carelessly gifted the ball to Ryan Christie on the edge of the area.
The former Celtic man drove at goal and saw his low shot saved by Ben Hamer at the near post before Anthony was on hand to nod in the rebound.
Bournemouth got a fourth with the final kick as former Swansea forward Jamal Lowe slid the ball across the area for Anthony to finish low into the corner, capping an excellent day for the 21-year-old.
BOURNEMOUTH: Travers 6; Stacey 7, Cahill 7, Kelly 7, Davis 7; Billing 7 (Cook 83), Kilkenny 8, Lerma 7; Christie 7 (Lowe 75, 6), Solanke 8 (Rogers 86), Anthony 9.
Subs not used: Dennis, Mepham, Marcondes, Brady, Rogers.
SWANSEA CITY: Hamer 6, Bennett 5, Naughton 6, Manning 6; Laird 7, Grimes 5, Downes 6 (Smith 66, 6), Bidwell 6 (Whittaker 66, 6); Ntcham 6 (Walsh 75, 6), Paterson 6; Piroe 6.
Subs not used: Benda, Cabango, Cullen, Latibeaudiere.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jaidon Anthony. Involved in all four goals for the Cherries and helped himself to two.
REFEREE: Tony Harrington 6.