Zemura can only watch helplessly as Cherries collapse

FOR about an hour, this was probably Bournemouth’s finest show since their return to the English Premiership.

Zimbabwe international, Jordan Zemura, was on the bench on Saturday and watched his teammates produce a vintage performance.

Elland Road was their stage and they led 3-1 at Leeds, through goals from Marcus Tavernier, Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke.

But, there were plenty of fireworks still to come as Leeds roared back, initially through a Sam Greenwood rocket, before Liam Cooper levelled the contest.

Then, with six minutes to play, Crysencio Summerville bagged for the third game in succession to break the Cherries’ hearts.

Gary O’Neil made one change to the XI, which started last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, where his side had led 2-0.

Ryan Fredericks returned to the side, with Zemura dropping to the bench.

After Leeds struck early, through a penalty from Rodrygo, Elland Road was quickly silenced as Cherries hit back with their first meaningful attack in the eighth minute.

Billing, operating from the right, clipped a cross in towards Kieffer Moore. Robin Koch got his head to it, but the ball fell kindly to an unmarked Tavernier at the back post, who caressed a volley past Illan Meslier.

It was the Leeds-born star’s first goal for Cherries, since joining from Middlesbrough over the summer.

After the break, the Cherries quickly extended their lead.

Tavernier found space down the left to break forwards, before delivering a low cross for Solanke.

The striker showed his quick-thinking, brilliantly flicking an effort past his marker and into the bottom corner, giving Meslier no chance.

But, somehow, the hosts fought back and scored three times to win the match 4-3.

The Cherries are yet to win at Elland Road in their history and, after leading 3-1 in the second half, they will look at this as a huge missed opportunity.