Top Billing as Dane leads Parker’s promotion push
BOURNEMOUTH manager Scott Parker believes Philip Billing can lead the charge back to the Premier League after his goal took them to the top of the Championship.
The Denmark midfielder struck in the 54th minute to continue their unbeaten start the season with a triumph at Cardiff.
The victory saw Bournemouth leapfrog Fulham into top-spot, and Parker believes the 25-year-old has grown into a key player. ‘I am delighted for Phil,’ said Parker. ‘We have been working hard on his game and there are unseen aspects that are now working very well. He has matured.
‘In the past, I saw a player who could float in and out of games and maybe could go missing at times.
‘Now, I think he is superb. We know what you get with him technically, but he also now ticks all the boxes when it comes to his defensive work and his understanding of the team dynamics.
‘This was a massive result and it brought to an end a huge week for us with three wins.’
Bournemouth had 72 per cent of possession but failed to break through the Cardiff defence in the opening 45 minutes. They had half chances through Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Christie but the hosts held-firm.
Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy was calling for a red card when Jefferson Lerma slid in late on defender Ciaron Brown, but referee Joshua Smith chose to show the Bournemouth man yellow.
The decision hit the hosts’ boss even harder two minutes later when the visitors made the pressure pay through Billing.
The Dane had threatened the Cardiff defence from the restart when he headed over from Jordan Zemura’s teasing cross.
Bournemouth’s other wingback, Adam Smith, seized the opportunity to head off on a surging run down the right before he picked out Billing for his 54th-minute strike. The 25-year-old had the time and space on the edge of the box to look up before picking out the bottom corner with an accurate left-footed strike.
‘I’ve just seen the Lerma tackle and I’ve told the ref to have a look at it,’ said McCarthy.
‘It’s a red card in my mind, he’s gone over the ball and when they see that on the video they will agree with me.
‘The referee made his decision, I’m not complaining, we all get things wrong, but it’s not easy when you concede afterwards. They are an almost perfect Championship team.’