Bournemouth get stuck in the starting blocks against Palace

Match Report

AFCB 0 v 2 Crystal Palace

20 June 2020

Project restart didn't begin at all for the Cherries. A master free kick from Lika Milivojevic in the first 12 minutes, and with Jordan Ayew made it 2-0 on 23 minutes, Bournemouth were chasing shadows. Zaha pulled the strings in the first 45 minutes, and Bournemouth fans expected Eddie Howe to give the Cherries a rocket at half-time. The second half offered little consolation with Josh King hobbling off from a Gary Cahill challenge. Bournemouth offered little on the big night and deserved nothing. Keeping Bournemouth up looks beyond even Eddie Howe at this moment.

Guess who's back?

Bournemouth made three changes to their last match against Liverpool. In came David Brooks, Harry Wilson and Josh King. Dropped were Ryan Fraser, Philip Billing and Junior Stanislas. Lewis Cook also got the nod over Dan Gosling in centre midfield.

It was a sunny evening with the players standing around the centre circle before kick-off ready for the Premier League music, before they took the knee for black lives matter campaign.

Crystal Palace started fast, but Bournemouth got into their stride by the second minute. David Brooks was seeing a bit of the ball early on and Bournemouth were passing well to keep hold of possession. Brooks ran well down the right but couldn't keep the ball in play, despite beating McArthur. Lewis Cook knocked the ball in on five minutes, but it was never going to stand.

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Lerma was getting stuck in, and Lewis Cook made a good run down the centre of the field before he over hit a pass. Callum Wilson then put an even worse pass out on half way.

McArthur beat a few players in Bournemouth's right side, before Zaha hit a shot over in Palace's most menacing move of the opening minutes. Brooks then gave away a free kick on Zaha outside the box. The momentum was with Palace. Milivojevic struck the free kick right in the top left corner on 12 minutes, even though Ramsdale got a hand to it. 

Brooks did a good reverse pass, then Josh King got a good ball through to Callum Wilson, but Cahill defended well for a corner. Brooks knocked the ball back in and Callum headed over on 17 minutes.

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Stacey put a weak clearance out before Milivojevic hammered a shot over. Bournemouth have been shaken by the goal and it is all Palace for the moment. 

Zaha bides his time. Van Aanholt then ran around the back of Bournemouth's right side, past Harry Wilson and Jack Stacey, and Jordon Ayew made it 2-0 from around the penalty spot, right in the bottom left corner on 23 minutes. Harry Wilson didn't track his runner and Adam Smith let Ajew run free as well.

Bournemouth look completely out of sorts. King's shot goes wider than the corner flag! Steve Cook then over hits a long ball. Brooks battles away before Lerma stabs a shot wide. If anything is going to happen for Bournemouth, it will be via David Brooks you feel.

Bournemouth finally win a corner on 35 minutes from a Stacey cross. A short corner ends up with AFCB winning another corner. At the other end, Steve Cook puts the ball out for a corner. Aké wins the header before King is fouled. 

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Bournemouth win a corner five minutes before half-time. Aké goes down and Benteke heads the ball out. The VAR check says the block on Aké was accidental. Harry Wilson is clipped. Brooks with a free kick over hits it. 

Ayew is carded gong through on the back of Lerma. Two added minutes. Stacey gets in behind, but is blocked for a corner. Lewis Cook sops a breakaway but Adam Smith us carded for a late challenge on Zaha.

Bournemouth host the first BBC Premier League
match ever but it's a game we'll want to forget.

Second half

Harry Wilson was replaced by Arnaut Danjuma at half-time. Lewis Cook gave away a foul straight away. King is fouled on the break by Cahill. King has signalled to go off. King is on his feet but the challenge went straight through his left ankle. Solanke is coming on after 49 minutes for King.

Lerma has a shot blocked by Scott Dann. Danjuma made a good turn, before Lewis Cook slipped a shot wide.

A free kick to Bournemouth on 54 minutes was bent high by Lewis Cook, but Lerma was offside. Danjuma does well and wins a corner. Brooks and Stacey work well to get another corner.

David Brooks is subbed on 61 minutes for Junior Stanislas. Solanke plays well to win a corner taking on three players. Aké heads at goal, but the keeper saves. Aké collides with Cahill. Aké's header as the first Bournemouth attempt on goal on 64 minutes.

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Milivojevic us subbed for McArthy on 65 minutes. Lewis Cook is carded for a challenge on Ayew. Crazy, he got the ball. When King had a challenge like that earlier, Cahill was not booked.

Solanke bursts through but stubs his shot wide. Ward is carded for fouling Adam Smith. Stanislas takes the following corner, but Palace come away with the ball. Stanislas tries to curl a shot but it doesn't bend. Benteke is subbed for Townsend.

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Palace get their second corner. Callum Wilson is fouled on the edge of the box. Stanislas hits the wall with the free kick. Steve Cook is carded for a foul on Ajew. 

Riedewald replaces MacArthur. Six added minutes go up for added time. Lerma gets frustrated with Palace keeping the ball in the corner. Callum Wilson tries to get on the end of a long ball, but Guaita wins the ball. Kouyaté takes an elbow from Lewis Cook, but VAR says not violent conduct.

A final corner fro Bournemouth. Adam Smith stops Zaha. Aké blocks Zaha and Palace have a corner.

Summary

Bournemouth made it easy for Palace. Sloppy free-kicks on the edge of the box given away and far too much space given for runners. Palace were organised and just set a line of two walls up to keep Bournemouth at arms length. Bournemouth had one shot on target and they didn't have any threat. David Brooks was the only bright spark and Eddie has much thinking to do, because on this performance Bournemouth can start planning for the Championship.

AFCB line up

AFCB Subs: 1 Boruc, 4 Gosling, 6 Surman, 26 Kelly, 21 Rico,
33 Mepham, 14 Danjuma, 19 Stanislas, 9 Solanke

AFCB Ratings

Ramsdale 6, Stacey 5, S Cook 6, Aké 6, A Smith 5, H Wilson 5, Brooks 7, Lerma 6,

L Cook 5,  King 6,  C Wilson 5

Cherry Chimes MoM - David Brooks

Crystal Palace

31 Guaita, 2 Ward, 6 Dann, 24 Cahill, 3 van Aanholt, 8 Kouyaté, 4 Milivojevic (McArthy 65),

18 McArthur (Riedewald 89), 9 J Ayew, 17 Benteke (Townsend 76), 11 Zaha

Crystal Palace Subs

7 Meyer, 10 Townsend, 12 Sakho, 13 Hennessey, 22 McArthy, 36 Tracers, 39 Michell,

40 Patrick Keutcha, 44 Riedewald

Rival Lines: "Wilf Zaha is not the finished article," says Eagles Beak

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Crystal Palace v AFCB
Blogger Interview: The Eagles Beak
12 May 2019
Twitter: @TheEaglesBeak

CC: This week I talked to Crystal Palace fan Jay at the Eagles Beak. Crystal Palace are one of those teams that trundle along and get the odd victory against the top sic but don't necessarily hit top form for long pars of the season - or at leas that is how it looked to me this season. What needs to happen to see a change in that? Do they need to sell Wilfred Zaha or are Palace doing just fine?

 CC: How satisfied are you with Palace's season?

TEB: With a highest points score within our grasp having already secured a 7th successive season in the Premier League (a record for the club), we should be pretty pleased. The sour point is the home form which has been poor, but thankfully we have been fantastic away from Selhurst. There was also plenty of disappointment at losing out in the League Cup quarter finals to lower league opposition and of course the FA Cup quarter final, but I'm pretty sure most fans will look back and think, that wasn't a bad season in the slightest. There is just some frustration at the quality within our squad should be pushing on having been in the Premier League for as long as we have, but I really think you have to be careful what you wish for in this game.

CC: Why do you think Palace tend to get off to slow starts?

TEB: I wish we knew! Last season was quite different with all the turmoil of an early change of manager, this one was marginally better but it dropped off quite quickly. It is so difficult to put your finger on, perhaps the way the fixtures worked out this past couple of season led to dips in form. If we could have managed a slightly better home form we'd have been okay, but hey, it has worked out just fine in the end.

CC:  Would the money for Zaha be a chance to build a better side or is it more important to keep him?

TEB: Keep him - without question. He is still not the finished article, we see frustrations with him but he is a player that can do things with a football not many are able. He is arguably one of the best players outside the top six and it will be a long summer of rumours. The money we get for him, should he go, will not be enough to replace him. In fact, it will be difficult to imagine a Palace side without him. The good news is, Roy Hodgson has come out and said he is looking forward to working with him for another couple years, so there is hope, but I had prepped myself as this being his final season with us. Wilf is such a talent, I would not begrudge him a move for a shot at the big time.

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CC: Which was Palace's best game of the season for you?

TEB: Manchester City at the Etihad. There was not one fan, pundit or journalist that gave us a hope, but we put in a stunning performance to become the only team to win against the reigning champions in their own back yard. Not just that, but to score the goal of the season in that win just put the icing on the cake. What a hit by Andros! Lost count how many times I have watched that - never gets boring.

CC: Were you happy enough with what the team did in the Cup competitions?

TEB: Reaching the quarter-final stage of both competitions is a pretty decent showing, but there was plenty of disappointment at both those losses. Both Boro and Watford deserved their wins, but we did not perform in either game and it was a case of what if on both occasions.

CC: This last game will decide who finishes higher between the two teams. Do you consider AFCB as a similar side in terms of quality to Palace?

TEB: There is not a lot of difference between us in all honesty. We both have plenty of quality running through our sides and there is no doubt that both sets of fans will be hoping to keep hold of that talent during the summer. There is plenty of suggestion that this is a dead rubber, but there is a different of £4million at stake in prize money between positions we can end up finishing and that is an amount that both teams can do with.

CC: How do you expect Palace will line up for the game?

TEB: I think Roy will want to sign off at Selhurst with a win, seeing as there have been very few of those this season. I don't think he will be as bold as he was at Cardiff last week, probably more conservative so expect Jordan Ayew to drop back to the bench with either Kouyate or Meyer to step back in. Maybe, just maybe, we will be more bold at home in this last game so who knows!

CC: What is your score prediction?

TEB: I think we will sign off in style with a win but expect it to be a tough but entertaining affair. 3-2 to Palace.

CC: Thanks to Jay for completing our last Rival Lines of the season. I hope you have enjoyed them, I think it was on the Southampton away match that we missed out on. Jay van rightfully boast that Palace have beaten Man City away and they have the players to worry any team. These games are usually close between Palace and Bournemouth and the league positions suggests that two. I have my fingers crossed for a 0-1 away win and a record points total for AFCB. Many thanks for Jay and the Eagles Beak for their answers and may the best team win this weekend!

Swansea's nerve must be tested

Eddie Howe will face Carlos Carvalhal's Swansea City on Saturday with the possibility that the end of the afternoon could just see two points separating the sides. It is not a prospect that would do much to quell any nerves of AFCB fans who might have felt this season was done and dusted when Bournemouth came back to beat WBA 2-1 at Dean Court back in mid-March.

Can AFCB heap trouble on Swansea City like they didn't against Southampton?

Swansea have been battling to 10 sides in recent matches and coming off successive defeats to Man City and Chelsea is no big disgrace, but Carvahal has to have a special game plan for Bournemouth if his side are to pull away from Southampton who they play next. Mathematics may prove that both Swansea and Southampton won't finish above AFCB, but one of them certainly could and this game is important for Bournemouth to keep themselves out of trouble and with a 10th to 12th place finish.

Swansea have two brothers in their side who may be the biggest threat. The Ayew's are powerful runners and will test the pace of AFCB's back line. Jordan Ayew has been on a good run in the past month and even when he is not scoring, Andre Ayew is another player that has good Premier League experience and will relish the scrap to stay up. Swansea also have the physical presence of Tammy Abraham is something AFCB will also have to contend with. It may be too late for Tammy to make the England squad in Russia, but he is good enough to give AFCB's defence problems. Sam Clucas also has a habit of getting significant goals.

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Alfie Mawson probably will be on the plane to Russia and he could be the man that the Cherries have to pull out of position to get the result they desire in this game. Swansea also have the keeper who ranks second in the amount of saves made this season in Lukasz Fabianski. You can take that in two ways, in that Swansea;'s defence offers opposition chances to score regularly or that Swansea have a keeper who tends to be busy and will often make the save.

Bournemouth have to put the pressure on Swansea as they are just as worried if not more so about their position in the league. This game may have plenty of mistakes, but if AFCB can be positive and take the game to Swansea it is a game they can win.

Chimes to Camera - Southampton 2 v 1 AFCB

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Grab a Cherry Chimes T-shirt just by guessing the scoreline between AFCB and Swansea City. Tweet your prediction to @CherryChimes. We will pick a winner from the correct entries.

Safety and smiles - AFCB beat Villa 1-2

Match Report

9 April 2016

Aston Villa 1 v 2 AFC Bournemouth

Attendance: 31,057

AFCB are happy to record another away win as they move up to 11th in the table.

This match could have been full of tension and anxiety for both sets of fans, but it turned out to be rather less of a test for the Cherries than many of us might have expected. Villa may have needed a win to prolong their stay in the Premier League but they were never really at it and AFCB showed enough improvement from recent games to hold their nerve and get the three points that guarantees them safety now. It was Steve Cook that got the Cherries ahead with a neat back heel finish after a short corner right on half time. That lead was extended after 74 minutes when Josh King jumped on a helpless Ciaran Clark and raced ahead to stab past Brad Guzan in the Villa goal. A late goal from Jordan Ayew seemed more of a surprise for the home fans than the away ones, but it was of little consolation for Aston Villa who played poorly as they have all season to be fair.

Villa players.

The Cherries are led out.

There were two main changes to the team with Dan Gosling and Tommy Elphick replacing Eunan O'Kane and Adam Smith but the big news Callum Wilson was back in the squad as a sub. Apparently Glenn Murray who was due to travel twisted his ankle and so Callum was called up.

Callum is amongst the squad.

The players acknowledge the fans.

The captains.

Aston Villa were more experimental making five changes to the side that lost to Chelsea and their fans were quite shocked to the point of disbelief to see Leandro Bacuna and Kieran Richardson run out while there was no start for Rudy Gestede. Eric Black had made his point, but was it handing the initiative to the Cherries?

Nervy moments before kick off.

The AFCB huddle - 3 points and we are safe lads!

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

A beautifully prepared pitch faced both sides as they came out to play. King and Grabban kicked off and the Cherries took the game to Villa. It was the claret shirts that had the first attempt though with Idrissa Gana, blazing over from just outside the box after three minutes.

It was not long for AFCB to reply though Surman found Gradel who made a sumptuous back heel to play in Lewis Grabban and he hit his low shot firmly, but Guzan stuck his right hand out and turned it out for a corner on five minutes.

Gradel and Daniels were pushing attacks up the left, but it was Grabban that was impressing by coming to the ball and offering himself as an option whenever he could. A characteristic run and cross from Francis up the right was cleared by Clark and the Cherries were playing well. Much of that though was helped by a Villa side that wasn't pressing and was conceding possession all to easily to AFCB. Cissokho was industrious in getting forward but he was not able to find Villa players in space as the Cherries got behind the ball swiftly whenever he pressed forward.

A moment of danger from Bacuna led to a cross that Ashley Westwood powered over the bar. These moments were few and far between. Villa fans were more content just to sing "Julian Lescott has got a new car," while Bacuna was getting booed with his every touch of the ball.

Steve Cook had a sticky moment though on 20 minutes when in his own box he hesitated to clear with Boruc in close attendance. Finally, he made a decision to clear though.

Grabban stole the ball off of Westwood to start another AFCB break. This time Gosling ended up shooting wide. Twenty minutes had passed and Bournemouth looked on their game, not on holiday.

Cook may have been flustered by his indecision earlier, but he had a poor touch and then clattered into Idrissa Gana on half way and Martin Atkinson gave the first yellow card to him. Villa just weren't closing down and their work rate was half that of the Cherries. Villa did rather like the North stand and Kieran Richardson put another shot high into the stand rather than test Boruc.

Charlie Daniels was next to go in the book for a challenge on Scott Sinclair but it seemed harsh at the time. Boruc punched the cross from the free kick anyway and won a foul.

Elphick was next to draw a foul from Gana who was given a yellow card. Elphick got up quickly which was pleasing to see without the need to have a physio on the pitch. Some 57 per cent possession, according to BBC West Midland's Radio, had not given AFCB a lead, but King did his best with a scissor kick from a free kick that went wide enough to go for a throw.

It looked like a goal would be hard to come by but in extra time, AFCB won a corner thanks to Ritchie. He took it short with Francis and then sent Francis clear on the angle into the box, with a back heel, or him to deliver a cross that Steve Cook clipped the ball with the back of his right boot and steered the Cherries ahead at the near post to make it 0-1 at half time. A really cleverly worked short corner!

A slow walk off for the Villa players.

AFCB have the lead.

Second Half

Aston Villa took off Jordan Lyden who hadn't done much to be fair and brought on Rudy Gestede for the second half. Villa won an early corner but Cook got his head to it and cleared well. Gosling got a bit more of the ball, but Villa were taring to create on the break with Gestede working the ball well to Sinclair who raced from half way into the box but then failed to shoot or find a pass.

Another Villa chance saw Sinclair down the right wing and cross for Gestede but the ball just looped up kindly for Boruc. "We shall not be moved," sang Villa fans who started to get behind their team.

A crazy refereeing decision then followed with Westwood and King battling for the ball in the box. King had the pace of Westwood and the two tumbled with King appearing to be dragged to the ground, yet Martin Atkinson gave a foul in Villa's favour.

Pugh came on for Gradel on 58 minutes as the Cherries looked to pick up the pace. It was Villa threatening now though with Jordan Ayew racing down the right and beating Daniels cleanly before putting in a low cross right along the six yard box that only needed a touch from Kieran Richardson, but the Villa player managed to nutmeg the ball somehow with the goal gaping!

Grabban was still AFCB's best payer and he won another corner on 61 minutes. Where was he getting this energy from? Ritchie tried to get a clean shot running from the back post area to the penalty spot but he was forced to shoot well over.

Surman was now picking the passes and keeping AFCB's possession dominance going, while Gosling did well to draw a foul on the edge of the box. Surman took the shot but hit the wall and later volleyed wide from a central position.

Time was running out for Villa and they subbed Sinclair for Adama Traore on 71 minutes. AFCB forced another corner but Cook could not get a clear header. Just as there was a lull and Villa took a throw not far from half way, Cissokho knocked it back but Ciaran Clark was rather caught on his heels and miss controlled the ball. It was an open invitation for Josh King and he broke with only a forlorn Clark in pursuit. The ball sped on a bit but King was in the box and Guzan started to come out to smother the ball but King nipped in and poked it past him and saw the ball head on into the net while he hit the ground. It was 0-2 and clear distance between the teams. It was a bravely taken goal and something from nothing. King was just very alert to the opportunity.

King won another corner on 76 minutes and Villa were under severe pressure now. Adama seemed their best outlet but when he put in a cross all he found was the safe hands of Boruc. Pugh won another corner and this time Cook did not get enough on it to get the direction right but Guzan had come to punch and got it all wrong.

On 83 minutes Jack Grealish replaced Richardson and the break up in play clearly did something for the Villa. A bit of confusion over a throw and there was some lack in concentration that let Gana pass to Ayew through the middle of AFCB's midfield and now with a run on goal. Tommy Elphick was twisted one way and another and as he backed off Ayew shot early and beat Boruc to his right to make it 1-2. The unlikely comeback was a sudden possibility with five minutes to go. Eddie Howe argued about a throw that should have been AFCB's before the goal and that was an official's decision that appeared to have bitten the Cherries.

Eddie Howe responded subbing Grabban for MacDonald. A late corner to Villa was cleared and the moment we had been waiting for arrived - Callum Wilson made his return on 92 minutes and AFCB fans delighted in singing his goal machine theme song. Ayew picked up a last minute booking but it hadn't been Villa's day - they were effectively relegated. The match had worked out according to plan and Wilson was back - what a day!

Francis leads the applause.

Another great win.

Summary

It was not a totally polished performance from the Cherries but it was a marked improvement and the players got the job done. While Elphick was the solid force at the back, Grabban and King did the running up front and Surman and Gosling kept possession well. It was the strength through the middle of the team that won them the game and goals at great times made it very difficult for Villa to get a real belief that they could win the game. More importantly for Eddie Howe and his team, they know now they have done enough for a second season in the Premier League.

Aston Villa
Guzan, Bacuna, Lescott, Clark, Cissokho, Sinclair (Traoré 71), Lyden (Gestede 46), Westwood, Richardson (Grealish 85), Gana, Ayew

Villa Subs
Bunn, Richards, Traoré, Sánchez, Grealish, Gestede, Toner

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Gradel (Pugh 58), Grabban (MacDonald 87), King (Wilson 90+2)

AFCB Subs

Federici, Wiggins, O'Kane, Pugh, Iturbe, MacDonald, Wilson

AFCB Player Ratings
Boruc 6: just couldn't handle the one shot Villa had on target, 
Francis 7: strong runs and assist for the first goal, 
Elphick 6: had a great game up until the point he backed off for Ayew's goal
Cook 6: passing and indecision a real worry at the back first half, but he got his goal
Daniels 6: wingers are starting to get the better of him but what a season he's had
Ritchie 6: involved in the first goal but would have liked to have seen more from him
Gosling 6: got stuck in and did a lot of running 
Surman 7: kept the passing going especially second half - found a lot of time and space on the ball
Gradel 6: keen energy almost played Grabban in for early goal,
Grabban 8: his best match since returning - always showed for the ball just needs to get more shots off. My MoM.
King 7: he's become accustomed to the league and what is required of him - another excellent goal

Referee Rating: Martin Atkinson 4/10 keen to give AFCB players yellow cards but when King went down in the box he had the audacity to give the foul the other way. Villa's goal perhaps would also not have happened if a throw had been given the other way.

Even Eddie can celebrate now.

We had two correct score predictions Ellie Yeatman @Ellie_Yeatman and Adria Casain @adria_casain. We had to draw a winner from the hat and the winner was Adia. Congratulations! A Steve Fletcher Flash stick is on its way to you - our first overseas winner!

Finding the chinks in other teams

AFCB have a lot of homework to do as the Premier League gets underway. The research on other teams has to be of the utmost quality to be of benefit to Eddie Howe and his players and the researchers will be hard at work scanning formations and pre-season performances of  some teams just to get more of a feel of what they are about.

AFCB players come up with a master plan.

Some of the Premier League's elite might not be so rigid in their formations these days as rotation has become the byword for resting players and altering tactics when bad runs become all to frequent. But with the return of the Tinkerman to the top flight at Leicester City it might be very difficult to know what the Foxes will be putting out as their first 11 every week. Finding that chink in the opposition where there is a genuine weakness aided by the use of complicated computer programmes has not seen the Premier League routinely turn into 10-0 matches, so I wonder how important some of the data that is collected on players is and am even more interested to know how it is best used.

We can all see when a player has a bad day and makes a howler but it's the overall habits of the team that need to come in for closer scrutiny. But can we say an Aston Villa team, who play in one way one week, will try something totally different the next because their key player has been injured? Will AFCB's work on the Villa with Benteke at its spearhead now be thrown away (until the Liverpool fixture) and an entirely new thought process added to the model with Ghana's Jordan Ayew now monitored for his key movements and preferences for how he likes to take the ball forward in attack? 

The work that researches can do is almost endless and it must be heart wrenching at this time of the year when so many events are shifting opinions about how teams will play in the new season. "We don't worry about the opposition, we only make sure what we are doing is working for us" - that is the mindset of more than a few managers and I kind of agree that how every helpful today's data is it has to be respected but not adjudged to be the only way of getting the better of the opposition. When your team has the ball, it has the ability to inflict damage by scoring a goal, and the work that Eddie Howe and his players do on trying to get his striker comfortable at finding the back of the net a regular habit is time well spent, and it's not something that is necessarily dependant on what team the opposition turn up with on the day.