Solanke grafts & crafts...
‘THERE’S NO BETTER No.9... EVEN IN PREM’
A DOMINIC SOLANKE masterclass moved Bournemouth another big step towards a much anticipated return to the Premier League.
Both Solanke and Scott Parker’s Cherries have reinvented themselves in the Championship, but they are in a hurry, anxious not to extend their stay there into a third season.
Solanke was simply unplayable as Bournemouth placed a dent in Huddersfield’s own promotion ambitions.
The 24-year-old once appeared to have the football world at his feet leaving Chelsea for Liverpool, and earning an England cap as a substitute against Brazil in 2017. his career has drifted on the south coast with Bournemouth. However, he is now back with a vengeance – and 23 Championship goals to his name.
Cherries boss Parker said: “He was incredible. His goals are there for everyone to see. He’s pivotal for us in the sense that he can put the ball in the back of the net.
“I don’t think there is a No.9, and I include those in the Premier League, who puts in the numbers, puts in the graft, puts in the work that Dom does. He is fully worthy of the goals he has scored this season.
“As a team it was arguably one of our best performances of the season.”
Huddersfield simply couldn’t handle Bournemouth’s leading scorer.
A header from Ryan Christie’s cross had struck the bar from
Solanke before the real carnage arrived. A swift 20th-minute break saw Solanke free inside the box to calmly cross for Jaidon Anthony to side-foot in his eighth goal of the season.
Ten minutes later the Terriers, whose 17-game unbeaten run in the league ended at Millwall in midweek, pressed the self-destruct button.
Solanke was one-on-one with keeper Lee Nicholls, who managed to halt his run only for the ball to spin out to Tom Lees.
A complete miskick from the defender allowed Jefferson Lerma to accept the gift, steering home his first goal in almost a year.
Solanke added to his growing goal collection with an impudent back-heel within 60 seconds of the restart. The visitors counterbut attacked with Lerma and Philip Billing combining for Solanke to help himself to a brilliantly executed strike.
Terriers boss Carlos Corberan admitted: “Individually and collectively, Bournemouth were better than us.
“We weren’t compact enough. We needed to be more competitive. We had to make better decisions.”
HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 6; Turton 6, Pearson 6, Lees 5 (Colwill 46, 6), Toffolo 6; Thomas 6, Russell 5, O’brien 5, Holmes 5 (Anjorin 69, 6); Sinani 6 (Koroma 52, 6), Ward 6. Subs not used: Blackman, Pipa, Rhodes, Eiting.
BOURNEMOUTH: Travers 6; Smith 7, Phillips 7, Kelly 7, Zemura 7; Lerma 8 (Lowe 83), Cook 8; Billing 7 (Cantwell 79); Christie 7, Solanke 9 (Dembele 88), Anthony 7.
Subs not used: Woodman, Stacey, Pearson, Cahill.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Dominic Solanke. The Bournemouth man was simply unplayable from start to finish – a display capped with a goal and two assists.
REFEREE: Simon Hooper 7.