Lewis Cook gets off the mark

We have had to wait a long time to see Lewis Cook score a goal for Bournemouth. While he has opened his account in a friendly against Levante, it doesn't take anything away from the strike. Bournemouth have had trouble in finding central midfielders that can get on the score sheet every now and again, and while Gosling has probably been AFCB's best midfielder in this respect, perhaps Lewis Cook is beginning to work harder at getting some match-winning goals.

Lewis Cook hits a screamer against Levante.

Lewis did not have a dominant game against Levante. But he played his game with economic passing and movement and didn't shy away when the ball fell to him late on in the game. Eddie Howe said he wants Lewis to add goals to his game but he probably didn't expect the to start coming from such a long way out from goal. It was great technique to drill the ball from some 25 yards or more out and the keeper didn't really get near it. Lewis responded quite calmly, as if he does it every day in training, but the AFCB players were keen to celebrate with him on such a powerful goal that won the match.

Howe had paired Cook with Gosling in what he may still see as the strongest pairing in the middle of the pitch for the Cherries at the start of next season. The second half side against Levante appeared the stronger, and yet the Cherries found it hard to keep the ball for much of the half. Some of that could be improved if they can get Lewis Cook on the ball more often.

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In previous seasons it has been Surman who has kept the ball moving and controlled the pace, but with Surman now being played deeper, AFCB need a player that is going to grab games and take charge. Lewis Cook is being given the chance to do so and if he can start seeing himself as being the main man in the middle of the park, we could see even bigger performances coming from Lewis Cook in the next few months.