AFCB's defensive steel topples United

Match Description

AFCB 1 v 0 Man Utd

2 November 2019

Attendance: 10,669

Well, not many of us saw that score coming!

Playing Man United after they have come off the back of two wins was always going to be a measure of how well AFCB could stand up to United's attack. Bournemouth had been steady in home games, but with only one win before this match and three goalless attempts at scoring in the Premier League, goals were rather elusive. But when Josh King brought a high ball down and turned to face goal, he remained unchallenged and was able to fire past de Gea to give the Cherries the lead on half-time. It proved a decisive goal as United couldn't get a clear shot on Ramsdale's goal. While Jefferson Lerma will rue his spat with Martial and Fred, as it led to his fifth yellow card of the season, Bournemouth found resolve and courage in this match. While Greenwood had a chance to level, Bournemouth were well worth their narrow win that might have been extended, if Harry Wilson had not found David de Gea in the best of form.

The minute's silence

The Cherries made just one change from the last game with Harry Wilson replacing Arnaud Danjuma on the right wing. The weather was appalling, with steady to heavy rain pushing down for most of the first half and a swirling wind.

The game started with almost an opportunity from the off. A long ball from Aaron Ramsdale almost got Callum Wilson in, but he was offside. Man United countered quickly with a break that saw James go down the right and square for Pereira, but some how he missed the ball with just Ramsdale to beat!

Rico did better next time on James. Martial hit a weak shot at Ramsdale, but nothing to worry about.

James and Pereira were linking well but Pereira could only shoot over. United were overloading the right wing and Fred was next to miss a chance from a right wing cross, slipping on his backside as the ball sped away.

Callum Wilson got away up the left to across to Lerma who had a shot blocked on 13 minutes. Fred fouled Billing, but no yellow card was shown.

Harry Wilson had a shot blocked by McTominay for Bournemouth's first corner. Fraser got in behind the United defence and a header back by Billing, put United's defence under pressure. But when Fraser went down and VAR was checked, no penalty followed, on 16 minutes.

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Rashford tried his luck down left and pulled the ball back to Fred and its over. Still a corner was surprisingly given to Utd, much to the annoyance of home fans. King does well to pick McTominay 's pocket.

Smith goes in hard on Fred. The free kick is taken by Utd and Callum Wilson half clears enabling James to shoot, but wide of right post on 30 minutes.

Adam Smith is barged over, but no free kick is awarded. Fraser does better and wins a corner on 25 minutes.

Ake wins the ball and finds Callum Wilson, onto King and Fraser shoots low, but De Gea saves. That was the best play from Bournemouth so far. Fraser might have done better but tried to pick his spot.

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Martial goes down with Lerma's challenge in the box. It all kicks off with Fred getting involved. Fred and Lerma are carded on 35 minutes. That means Lerma is suspended for the next game as he hits the five caution mark.

Lerma wins a free kick. Harry Wilson has a well hit shot blocked. Ramsdale then clears at United break.

Smith goes down the right and Fraser cushions a volley, but straight at De Gea! That could have been the lead, but Fraser didn't hit the shot well enough. Lerma blocks McTominay.

Harry Wilson, Fraser is on the ball, now. Adam Smith floats the ball into the box. Great take down on the chest and turn by Josh King in the box and its fallen kindly to King, after Wan-Bissaka gets a foot in, and King's fired it past de Gea, through his legs, and in to the net 1-0 AFC Bournemouth.

Great time for Josh King to score.

Second half
King chased down a long pass but Lindelöf shepherd's it back to De Gea. Fraser fouls James. Steve Cook makes a great tackle - he's been on it today. Billing to Harry Wilson who looks for Callum and the chance goes.

Rico puts in a good cross. Rashford is fouled by Steve Cook and Cook is carded. United have a corner, on 57 minutes. Aké beats Rashford to the ball.

Fraser fouls James and is booked on 61 minutes. Callum is almost in from a right with a crossed ball, but De Gea does enough. Harry Wilson follows up but goes down, no penalty.

Harry Wilson is fouled by Lindelöf and the United player is booked.

Lerma spreads play Wilson cuts in and Smith is fouled. Young is booked. A free kick right by the box for Bournemouth follows. Harry Wilson hits it too high.

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Man United sub Pereira is taken off and Lingard is on after 68 minutes. Aké clears. Adam Smith concedes a corner. Smith comes away, but can't find Harry Wilson.

Fraser battles and wins the ball and Lerma has a cheeky shot just wide of the right post!

Rico wins the ball, before Fred shoots hight to the left of goal. Billing to Harry Wilson, save low de Gea - that was a difficult save. United have a corner but Bournemouth clear. Another United corner. Billing gets there first. Callum is down.

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Wan-Bissaka is subbed and Williams is on with 10 minutes to go. Fraser puts Callum in but there is a late flag. United have a corner and Greenwood hits the post, and Rico can clear at the far post.

McTominay drives a shot from distance that Ramsdale can only parry out, but Steve Cook clears with the goal lying open. Relief, Bournemouth get a foul after Smith was knocked over in his box.

Steve Cook beats Rashford for the corner. Maguire heads wide just beating Lerma. Harry Wilson is subbed on 86 minutes and Lewis Cook is on.

Corner to United. Bournemouth survive. King on the break to Fraser but he's lost out.

Callum is booked for a dive on half way. Fred shoots, but Ramsdale watches it well and saves.

Three minutes are added. It remains 1-0 to Bournemouth.

Happy days!

Summary
This was a tight match but neither keeper was kept overly busy. The conditions made for some over exuberant challenges, but the only time things got out of hand is when Martial went over easy in the first half and Lerma lost control in his anger. I guess it is best that Lerma gets his ban out the way, but it was an unnecessary yellow card for him. Bournemouth could have extended their lead with Fraser and Harry Wilson in particular going close. In the end, the 1-0 win is pleasing that Bournemouth took their best chance and kept United at bay for another clean sheet. Eddie Howe won't have much to grumble at after that performance, and the home crowd really got fully behind the team which made it a great game to be at.

AFCB Line-up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Francis, Kelly, Mepham, L Cook, Danjuma, Solanke

AFCB Ratings
Ramsdale 7, A Smith 7, S Cook 9, Aké 8, Rico 8, H Wilson 6, Lerma 7, Billing 6,
King 8, C Wilson 6

Cherry Chimes MoM: Steve Cook

Ref Watch: Chris Kavanagh 3/10: A bit disappointing today, certainly liked to give United the benefit of the doubt.

Man Utd
1 de Gea, 29 Wan-Bissaka (Williams 81), 2 Lindelöf, 5 Maguire, 8 Young, 39 McTominay,
17 Fred, 21 James (Greenwood 80), 15 Pereira (Lingard 68), 10 Rashford, 9 Martial

Man United Subs

8 Mata, 14 Lingard, 16 Rojo, 22 Romero, 26 Greenwood, 37 Garner, 53 Williams

Cherry Chimes' T-shirt winner for the correct score prediction was Les Fry @bonzodog25

Man Utd post-match press conference