Match Description
Birmingham City 1 v 2 AFCB
22 August 2017
Carabao English League Cup
Second Round
Attendance: 8245 (with 526 AFCB fans)
AFCB got the boost they so needed on the night having been close to disaster after being 1-0 down from Maikel Kieftenbeld's opener, and Tyrone Mings salvaging an almost certain second Birmingham goal. The Cherries found some momentum and Ryan Fraser got the Cherries' first goal of the season just a few moments into the second half. AFCB kept their possession high and found a winner when Marc Pugh met a cross from Lys Mousset. A few close shaves had to be survived before the end but the Cherries held firm and now have something positive to take into their weekend game. |
| Ryan Fraser gets AFCB off and running in goals as Bournemouth comeback against Birmingham in the Carabao Cup. |
AFCB picked a team with a sprinkling of first team regulars such as Steve Cook, Adam Smith, Ryan Fraser and Marc Pugh, but also opened the door to players that fans want to see challenge for the first team places like Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling and Tyrone Mings. Defoe was given his first start as promise by Howe and it was good to see Lys Mousset also given a chance to impress from the start. It was eight changes in all from the team that began against Watford.
John Williams on Radio Solent was pleased to see AFCB started the match playing quicker than they have in the two league matches with several runs up the left side as Brad Smith and Marc Pugh got on the ball. Lewis Cook and Lys Musset's first thinking seemed to be to look for Defoe, but they were not finding the ball sticking
Birmingham began slowly but Tyrone Mings had to intervene quickly to stop Vassel and conceded a corner. But from the corner Bournemouth did not mark up well, a header is knocked back from the far post and Maikel Kieftenbeld has a simple right foot shot to put the home team 1-0 up after 11 minutes.
If AFCB didn't think they were under pressure they certainly felt it after that.
Defoe made a quick turn in the box but his shot is saved by Kuszczak. Defoe again wins the ball back and shoots just wide of the right post.
Maghoma also shows his pace and Boruc has to guard his post as the ball flashes wide.
Pugh threads Defoe through but Kuszczak saves. Pugh takes a shot but the keeper is there again. Kris Temple is already mentioning that the Cherries have already had more shots than they have had in their first two Premier League games.
Birmingham take off Nsue at right back and Wes Harding is on. Bramell is out acing Fraser and Adam Smith.
Gosling is struggling a bit with a knock. Lewis Cook adds another shot on target to the stats but t was straight at Kuszczak.
Steve Cook is caught out and Vassel is through, around Boruc, but Mings gets back to back heel the ball away. Mings has injured himself in the process. He has hit his head on the metal bar that runs behind the goal. Mings is back up and he no doubt has a headache.
Bournemouth win a couple of corners and start to build some pressure before Gosling has the last touch and loses possession.
Mousset turns well but then gives the ball away and gets a yellow card. Free kick to Birmingham. Brad Smith is putting some good crosses in. Ryan Fraser over runs a ball that Steve Cook put through for him.
Mousset has a drive from inside the box, well hit but saved by the keeper. This is better from the Cherries. Lewis Cook then shoots well over.
Brad Smith finds Mings who gets a shot at the near post, but it's at the keeper. Kuszczak has been the busier keeper but all the saves have been comfortable for him and Birmingham lead 1-0 at half time.
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Second Half
Birmingham make a sub with Vassel replaced by Jutkiewicz. Adam Smith plays it into the near post and Fraser is on the end to make it 1-1.
The Subsitute Jutkiewicz now makes Boruc fully stretch to keep his attempt out at the other end. Mousett low shot and Kuszczak is down to save at his near post.
Fraser puts Defoe in who finished, but he is offside. Shotton gives away a free kick as Defoe tries to go past. A yard outside the penalty area, Fraser gets ready to take the free kick.
Zack Maghoma gets a yellow card for not retreating. Fraser hits it over the bar.
Bournemouth are enjoying good possession now. Birmingham are trying to make a fight of it. Shotton picks up a yellow card for stopping Mousset. The keeper gets the free kick having gone to ground.
Break on with Harding and he wins a free kick. Gleeson takes the kick and Steve Cook clears to Fraser who is chopped down.
Mousset, shot from Pugh sliding in - "trademark finish," says Kris Temple. It's a strange feeling to be in front in a game. Birmingham trail 1-2 on 68 minutes.
Defoe has a deflected shot that goes out for a corner. Brad Smith shoots and it just goes over the bar - "a real fizzer," says Temple.
Mousset great effort, flicked up and volleyed but Kuszczak saves. Mousset has worked hard and has cramp. Afobe is replacing him.
Kris Temple's assessment is that Lewis Cook and Gosling have been steady. Brad Smith has played well and Defoe looks very sharp. In fact, Kris says he'll be astounded if Defoe does not start on Saturday.
Bramall is subbed by Robinson. Corner to AFCB, last 10 minutes. "It's been a collective performance tonight," says John Williams.
Fraser is replaced by Jordan Ibe. Jutkiewicz is fouled by Brad Smith. Corner now to Birmingham. Defoe finally clears up to half way. Jutkiewicz has a shot but its wide.
Lewis Cook fouls Davis. Brave header from Adam Smith at the back post. Maghoma gets the ball across to Jutkiewicz but he's got his angles all wrong when he had a great chance to equalise from the six yard box.
Afobe on the run sees his shot turned behind by Kuszczak. Mahoney is getting ready to come on.
Ibe sees his shot deflected into Kuszczak's arms. Adam Smith picks up a booking for a foul on David Davis. There is four in the AFCB wall. Mahoney is putting his tracksuit top back on. Afobe heads away.
Summary
It's a bit of a relief to know that the Cherries have upped their game from what we have seen so far this season. Birmingham City are not Man City, but a win was vital for confidence. It also allows Bournemouth to progress in the cup which is great for the development of players. Eddie Howe will have learnt more from this match than he has from the league games and he'll be pleased there was some spirit shown and some defiance after being a goal down. So now we'll see if Bournemouth can build on this positivity.
AFCB XI
Boruc, A Smith, S Cook, Mings, B Smith, Fraser (Ibe 82), L Cook, Gosling, Pugh, Mousset (Afobe 77), Defoe
Gosling is struggling a bit with a knock. Lewis Cook adds another shot on target to the stats but t was straight at Kuszczak.
Steve Cook is caught out and Vassel is through, around Boruc, but Mings gets back to back heel the ball away. Mings has injured himself in the process. He has hit his head on the metal bar that runs behind the goal. Mings is back up and he no doubt has a headache.
Bournemouth win a couple of corners and start to build some pressure before Gosling has the last touch and loses possession.
Mousset turns well but then gives the ball away and gets a yellow card. Free kick to Birmingham. Brad Smith is putting some good crosses in. Ryan Fraser over runs a ball that Steve Cook put through for him.
Mousset has a drive from inside the box, well hit but saved by the keeper. This is better from the Cherries. Lewis Cook then shoots well over.
Brad Smith finds Mings who gets a shot at the near post, but it's at the keeper. Kuszczak has been the busier keeper but all the saves have been comfortable for him and Birmingham lead 1-0 at half time.
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Birmingham make a sub with Vassel replaced by Jutkiewicz. Adam Smith plays it into the near post and Fraser is on the end to make it 1-1.
The Subsitute Jutkiewicz now makes Boruc fully stretch to keep his attempt out at the other end. Mousett low shot and Kuszczak is down to save at his near post.
Fraser puts Defoe in who finished, but he is offside. Shotton gives away a free kick as Defoe tries to go past. A yard outside the penalty area, Fraser gets ready to take the free kick.
Zack Maghoma gets a yellow card for not retreating. Fraser hits it over the bar.
Bournemouth are enjoying good possession now. Birmingham are trying to make a fight of it. Shotton picks up a yellow card for stopping Mousset. The keeper gets the free kick having gone to ground.
Break on with Harding and he wins a free kick. Gleeson takes the kick and Steve Cook clears to Fraser who is chopped down.
Mousset, shot from Pugh sliding in - "trademark finish," says Kris Temple. It's a strange feeling to be in front in a game. Birmingham trail 1-2 on 68 minutes.
Defoe has a deflected shot that goes out for a corner. Brad Smith shoots and it just goes over the bar - "a real fizzer," says Temple.
Mousset great effort, flicked up and volleyed but Kuszczak saves. Mousset has worked hard and has cramp. Afobe is replacing him.
Kris Temple's assessment is that Lewis Cook and Gosling have been steady. Brad Smith has played well and Defoe looks very sharp. In fact, Kris says he'll be astounded if Defoe does not start on Saturday.
Bramall is subbed by Robinson. Corner to AFCB, last 10 minutes. "It's been a collective performance tonight," says John Williams.
Fraser is replaced by Jordan Ibe. Jutkiewicz is fouled by Brad Smith. Corner now to Birmingham. Defoe finally clears up to half way. Jutkiewicz has a shot but its wide.
Lewis Cook fouls Davis. Brave header from Adam Smith at the back post. Maghoma gets the ball across to Jutkiewicz but he's got his angles all wrong when he had a great chance to equalise from the six yard box.
Afobe on the run sees his shot turned behind by Kuszczak. Mahoney is getting ready to come on.
Ibe sees his shot deflected into Kuszczak's arms. Adam Smith picks up a booking for a foul on David Davis. There is four in the AFCB wall. Mahoney is putting his tracksuit top back on. Afobe heads away.
Summary
It's a bit of a relief to know that the Cherries have upped their game from what we have seen so far this season. Birmingham City are not Man City, but a win was vital for confidence. It also allows Bournemouth to progress in the cup which is great for the development of players. Eddie Howe will have learnt more from this match than he has from the league games and he'll be pleased there was some spirit shown and some defiance after being a goal down. So now we'll see if Bournemouth can build on this positivity.
AFCB XI
Boruc, A Smith, S Cook, Mings, B Smith, Fraser (Ibe 82), L Cook, Gosling, Pugh, Mousset (Afobe 77), Defoe
Subs
Ramsdale, Aké, Simpson, Hyndman, Mahoney, Ibe, Afobe
Birmingham
Kuszczak, Nsue (Harding 23), Shotton, Roberts, Grounds, Bramall (Robinson 78), Davis, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Maghoma, Vassel (Jutkiewicz 45)
Subs
Stockdale, Tesche, Gardner, Jutkiewicz, Cotterill, Robinson, Harding
So how many of these players will start against Man City....
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