Match Report
Stoke City 1 v 2 AFCB
21 October 2017
Attendance: 29,500
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| It's wet, it's windy, it's Stoke at the bet365 stadium. |
It was hard to know whether this particular win will ignite AFC Bournemouth's season, but it will dispel any belief that the Cherries are not simply a team that are lacking in fight or a team happy to be in the bottom three. The match was not going to be pretty with a gale blowing in every corner of the Bet365 stadium, but Bournemouth mastered the conditions quickly and settled into their game. It was Andrew Surman who drove home the first goal and fans hardly had time to blink before Benik Afobe was taken out in the Stoke City box. Once Junior Stanislas had swept the penalty in it was a task of game management from there on and even though Mame Diouf pulled one goal back, this was a game that Bournemouth knew that had to see out. It proved Bournemouth do have what it takes to haul themselves back into contention with higher placed teams in the league and the fight now goes on.
The Cherries made a few changes to the starting 11 with Josh King being ill and Jermain Defoe also not in the squad having picked up a hamstring knock. So Benik Afobe and Lys Mousset started the game up front looking to score their first league gaols of the season. Meanwhile, Dan Gosling was put on the bench and Bournemouth resorted to a 4-4-1-1 formation. Fans also welcomed the sight of Callum Wilson on the bench.
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| Bournemouth are already warming up. |
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| Stoke players come out. |
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| Callum Wilson is on the bench. |
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Bournemouth had the early pressure in the game with Mousset in particular making an adventurous forward run. Aké also made a slide pass through the middle of Stoke City's players that unfortunately Afobe and Mousset didn't fully gamble on getting through.
There was an awkward moment on 10 minutes when Jordan Ibe and Pieters went down in the Cherries box, but the referee saw it as no foul. Lewis Cook was being fouled regularly in midfield, which was stopping Stoke building up any pressure.
The Cherries got on top when Adam Smith made a strong run that was helped on by Mousset and Ibe before the ball came back to Smith on the right wing where he got in behind and pulled the ball back. Stanislas passed the ball on to Surman, outside the box, who steadied himself before picking out the bottom right corner past Butland to make it 0-1 on 16 minutes.
As soon as the restart was made AFCB went on the attack again. Stanislas made a nuisance of himself on the left wing playing in Afobe, with a back heel, who was brought down by Shawcross as he was about to shoot. It was a clear penalty and Stanislas kept his cool to slot home comfortably down the middle and past Butland from the spot on 18 minutes.
AFCB fans were going wild and while Stoke mustered a reply with Johnson played in on the far post from a Pieters' cross from the left, Charlie Daniels raced across to block the shot and concede the corner.
Bournemouth were beginning to enjoy themselves with Ibe suddenly in acres of space on the right wing. His cross though was wide of Afobe and Mousset much to the despair of Benik who had pulled away well to the penalty spot for a shot.
Simon Francis got up from a heavy tackle and Mousset had dig at a shot from range but pulled it wide.
A let off then occured as Surman failed to read a pass from Stanislas in his own half and Jesé played in Mame Diouf only for Begovic to make a superb save at his near post on 34 minutes. Another good move from Stoke led to Johnson missing a header at the far post.
Stoke were also lucky when Ibe saw his shot blocked by Bultand and Shacross when he had run into the box from a Stanislas pass and hit a firm shot that just kept out on 39 minutes.
Stoke were far from on their heels though. Pieters put in a cross that Maxin Chupo-Moting headed wide a minute later when he looked on to score. It was only after that that AFCB won their first corner that was quickly followed by a second before half time.
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| Eddie thinking hard as he goes off at half time two goals to the good. |
Second half
Stoke tried to take the game to AFCB with the wind behind them, but Joe Allen's wide shot early on did not inspire confidence. It wasn't long before Mark Hughes turned to his subs and Peter Crouch came on after 59 minutes. as Glen Johnson was replaced.
Bournemouth took off Mousset three minutes later to bring on Steve Cook to counter the Stoke substitution. AFCB had perhaps got defensive early to try and protect their lead but it looked to have backfired when Mame Diouf used his thigh in a Stoke goal after a long ball had been headed down in front of him by Choupo-Moting on 63 minutes.
Asmir Begovic was doing his best to let time fly by, much to the annoyance of Hughes on the side lines - it was comical to watch. But Lewis Cook did pick up a yellow card after taking down Joe Allen and remonstrating with the referee.
Bournemouth were still trying to extend their lead from a corner that saw Aké head high and past the post. He deserved a go at playing further up the field after all the good work he had done at the back. Adam Smith was a bit nervous when he stuck out a foot to stop Jesé to put the ball out for a corner, but the referee viewed it as no penalty. With the clock slowly coming down Harry Arter replaced Lewis Cook, while Berahino replaced Jesé.
Marc Pugh also came on for Jordan Ibe. Begovic came out to collect the ball in front of Choupo-Moting and eft his leg high, but no foul was made.
While the Cherries had to see there way through five minutes of extra time there was no big panic with Diouf slicing an effort wide as the only major concern.
While the Cherries had to see there way through five minutes of extra time there was no big panic with Diouf slicing an effort wide as the only major concern.
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| Three points!! |
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| Yeah, we loved that! |
Summary
A fabulous three points. AFCB will look to kick on from this. Considering Howe had to change his side for absentees such as King and Defoe it was a very good performance. Nathan Aké was superb at the back and Lewis Cook won the fans' praise for his energy and passing. Begovic had little to do but when he was needed he did his job well. All in all it was a brave and solid win. While Stoke got the one goal back there was real determination to make sure they did not get anymore. But what we had all waited for was to see Eddie Howe punch the air at the end - the win meant everything for him, the team and the fans.
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| Well done Eddie, a great place to pick up a win. |
AFCB starting XI.
AFCB Subs
Boruc, S Cook, Arter, Gosling, Pugh, Fraser, C Wilson
AFCB Ratings
Begovic 8, A Smith 7, Francis 6, Aké 9, Daniels 7, Ibe 6, L Cook 8, Surman 7, Stanislas 8, Mousset 6, Afobe 5
MOM: Nathan Aké for his excellent defending especially in the first half but Stanislas pushed him very close for the honour.
MOM: Nathan Aké for his excellent defending especially in the first half but Stanislas pushed him very close for the honour.
Stoke City
Butland, Zouma, Shawcross, Cameron, Johnson (Crouch 59), Fletcher, Allen, Pieters, Choupo-Moting, Diouf, Jesé (Berahino 80)Stoke Subs
Wimmer, Berahino, Afellay, Adam, Crouch, Sobhi, Grant
Referee Watch: Lee Probert 5/10: Let the game flow perhaps a bit too much at time with only one yellow card issued. No Stoke players booked - emm!
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