A great clean sheet for AFCB can we have another?

While I might have been wondering if AFCB were going to have to wait a good while to get their first Premier League clean sheet, it was a delight to see that they managed it in a home game. The Vitality Stadium has only seen two goals go in against the team and it is of course important that the goals that other teams get are not simply down to standard mistakes. Pleasingly the Cherries came away with that clean sheet against Sunderland but it was not all certain that they would do that given the chances Sunderland had.

Artur Boruc on goal minding duties.

Yes, Distin was immense at the back and the back line played with confidence but there were moments when they rode their luck a little. Jordi Gomez was close to catching out Artur Boruc with his early free kick and the quick thinking Premier League players are going to be a constant threat all season. Artur had a good game though and certainly rescued the team against Defoe's one on one. But where was the marking Jermain's headed attempt that went wide but could easily have been directed on goal in that first half? Yes, it was given offside but there was a sharp intake of breath before the assistant referee put his flag up. There is still some communication issues between the keepers and central defenders that could be worked on. That should come with game time though, after all Tommy Elphick is the usual organiser of the back four and Sylvain will be working hard to get the understanding with Steve Cook right.

The big bonus for Eddie Howe was to see that Sunderland only managed two shots on target so Boruc's work was kept to a minimum for once. Keeping the game tight and flourishing at the other end is the recipe for success and as long as that continues at Dean Court the Cherries will be a difficult team to beat.