For once Bournemouth have impact players from the bench

The match against Man City was not only important for a small goal difference defeat, but I was impressed by the substitutions. Okay, we can argue about the timing of the subs and maybe Bournemouth played a bit reservedly first half, but when the subs came on the confidence was flowing.

David Brooks finds his touch.

I was especially pleased, as Eddie Howe was, for David Brooks to score. He has been struggling with lasting a whole 90 minutes, and perhaps he is finding it easier to come on as an impact sub against tired legs at the other end. You can't deny he is a super finisher. He took his chance very calmly to beat Ederson. That goal could yet be priceless and it will do Brooks the world of good to get his first goal of the season.

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Callum Wilson also looked more dangerous than he has in recent weeks, and I am sure Eddie kept him on the bench for motivation to get him wound up like a coiled spring ready to explode when he came on. It almost worked and I still think Callum will have a crucial role to play in Bournemouth's last two fixtures, as he is most likely to have a chance fall to him. He knows he'll have to take the chances, if he is to get to double figures in goals this season.

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Eddie now has more idea about where the players are in terms of fitness and match ability for these last two games. He perhaps got it wrong for the first few games back. Bournemouth were well out of sorts. But with players like Sam Surridge waiting to come on and do a salvation job and Solanke believing he can score, there is every hope that the players will make an impact in the last two games, especially as they know they could have come away with points against Man City.

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I still think there is more to come from Josh King, Harry Wilson and Lewis Cook, but if they can grasp hold of the confidence that the rest of the team are playing with, then the unthinkable could just happen and Bournemouth could save themselves at the death. To beat Southampton and Everton is a worthy test to prove you are Premier League quality and there are only positive vibes coming from the players now whether they are starting of on the bench.

In other news, Aston Vill were close to getting three points against Everton, but Theo Walcott equalised in the 87th minute to keep Vila in 19th place. Brighton also got another point against Southampton which pretty much puts them safe with their goal difference.