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Wednesday, 9 December 2020

Swansea hold Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw

This top of the table clash was keenly anticipated. Bournemouth pushed hardest to take the lead in the first half, but couldn't take advantage when Dominic Solanke and David Brooks had good chances. Bournemouth came closer still when Billing's cross, early in the second half, was volleyed wide by Junior Stanislas. David Brooks may well have been unlucky to get a penalty call, but that was perhaps the last chance that Bournemouth had to get a win.

Bournemouth have to be content with a point at the Liberty stadium.

Junior Stanislas returned to the starting line-up for AFCB with Sam Surridge relegated to the bench despite scoring and starting against Barnsley. There was still no Josh King, who is perhaps getting ready for a January move, but Lerma was back on the bench.

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Match Description
Bournemouth set up 3-4-3 and they have started dominating the ball. David Brooks puts an early shot over the bar and Adam Smith also misses an early chance.

Korey Smith has trouble tracking David Brooks and is yellow carded. Steve Cook is already making sure Lowe can't get away.

Swansea are finding their way with some possession. But they are over hitting their passes. Solanke gets into the box from a pass from Brooks but hits his shot over.

Brooks wins a free kick and Swansea are having problems keeping him quiet. Brooks in the area after grabbing an astray Woodman pass and he's blocked for a corner.

Begovic has to make a save from Lowe, having got away from Steve Cook. Solanke is working hard and it's a Bournemouth corner. Steve Cook goes for an overhead kick, but Swansea clear.

Bournemouth are winning the second balls. Solanke has been booked after shoving Cabango. Bournemouth are overloading the middle of the park and Stanislas and Brooks are dominating the play.

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Dhanda has a run at the Bournemouth defence but hits a shot too high. Billing on the counter is pulled down by Lowe, but Lowe isn't carded.

Kelly is coming forward more now. Lewis Cook has shot wide from distance. Swansea are having to defend deeper.

Dhanda plays it into Lowe, there are calls for a penalty but Rico's block is okay. Swansea are defending well and Bournemouth have only had two chances so far. Latibeaudier stops Solanke from getting in behind.

Adam Smith crosses but Roberts clears.

Second half
Bournemouth are still taking the game to Swansea. They are intercepting well. Rico into Brooks and the shot is blocked.

Billing crosses and Stanislas volley's wide by about a yard. Brooks has been everywhere tonight and wins another free kick.

Dhanda is on side and hits a shot into the side netting. Rico has been booked and will miss the next game. Roberts crosses but Mepham clears. Latibeaudier again stops Brooks from finding Solanke.

Adam Smith is putting some good crosses. Ajew has won a free kick off of Mepham. 

Stanislas and Rico do well and the cross goes to Solanke who nudges it on for Smith and the ball is in the six yard box, but Brooks is just prevented from scoring.

Brooks goes down in the box from Latibeaudier, no penalty. Billing has been booked. Grime drives the kick through the wall, but Bournemouth win a free kick. Lowe is subbed for Gyokeres and Dandah is replaced by Palmer on 75 minutes.

Lewis Cook puts a drive just wide from 30 yards. Ayew and Roberts around the box and Bidwell is tackled by Mepham. Sam Surridge is coming on for David Brooks on 82 minutes. 

Solanke is offside. Lerma replaces Billing. Smith drives but is blocked and Stanislas shoots over. Lewis Cook fouls Palmer outside the box. It's flicked wide by Bidwell.

There are three minutes of added time. Bournemouth have some defending to do. Kelly is going to make a long throw. Rico and Kelly is blocked.

Summary
Bournemouth met a stubborn defence tonight. The Cherries dominated possession but just couldn't find big enough gaps to make a breakthrough. Jason Tindall's decision to leave out Sam Surrdige will be questioned, but Junior Stanislas had a good game and Bournemouth controlled the midfield. it was a frustrating night in front of goal but Bournemouth couldn't buy a clean sheet a few games ago. Going away from home and getting a point against a top-four team is no disgrace and Bournemouth sit top of the table at the moment.

AFCB: Begovic, Mepham, S Cook, Kelly, Smith, L Cook, Billing (Lerma 86), Rico, Brooks (Surridge 82), Stanislas, Solanke

AFCB Subs: Travers, Simpson, Ofoborh, Gosling, Lerma, Kilkenny, Riquelme, Anthony, Surridge.

Swansea City: 1 Woodman, 24 Bidwell, 26 Naughton, 22 Latibeaudier, 44 Cabango, 23 Roberts, 7 Smith, 8 Grimes, 21 Dhanda (Palmer 75), 10 Ayew, 9 Lowe (Gyokeres 75)

Swansea City Subs: 13 Benda, 38 C Evans, 3 Manning, 6 Fulton, 45 Palmer, 15 Routledge, 41 Garrick, 20 Cullen, 14 Gyokeres 

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Rival Lines: "This is our toughest test yet at the Liberty," says Swansea Oh Swansea

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