Match Report
Stoke City 0 v 1 AFCB
2 January 2021
Junior Stanislas gets AFCB out of a dire performance.
Bournemouth recorded a rare away win but they hardly impressed on a night of some pretty dour football. The difference was a single goal from Junior Stanislas which keeps the Cherries in the hunt for the promotion places. This was a game where Stoke's press and hold of the game worked well, and with Solanke missing the best chance in the first half when he had broken free, it was looking like Bournemouth had run out of ideas. But Stanislas was the calm head that put his chance away for his seventh of the season, and it was really a relief for Bournemouth fans because this was anything but a confident performance.
Bournemouth made three changes with Junior Stanislas replacing Josh King, Diego Rico coming in for Philip Billing and Sam Surridge taking over from David Brooks. King looked a bit out of touch in the previous game, so that was no big surprise, but it was more surprising to see a second out and out forward chosen above David Brooks, but it was a bold move. Diego Rico had been out for some time, so it was also good to see him get another go. There was still no Danjuma.
Advertisement
 |
Match Description
There was a steady start to this game with Lewis Cook giving away the first free kick. Bournemouth soon became adapt at winning the ball back and Surridge was close to sniffing out a chance in the first four minutes before Stoke recovered.
Stoke were finding it hard to get forward, but Thompson had their first shoot which was high over the bar from inside the box.
Adam Smith had a great chance to get on the ned of a ball over the top but was tackled. Bournemouth were not finding the gaps and Stoke were gaining in confidence on the break with Fletcher shooting at Begovic who made a comfortable save on 11 minutes.
It was all a bit ragged from Bournemouth in defence. Fletcher had a decent chance from distance but hit it too high. on 14 minutes. A charge down saw Stoke City get another shot off at Begovic and Bournemouth's backline looked out of sorts. Joe Allen has a shot saved by Begovic.
Stoke had a good free kick position on 18 minutes and Thompson picked out the side netting but had Begovic worried. Stoke were controlling the game at this stage.
Lewis Cook then made an amazing pass to Solanke on the break, but the Bournemouth forward over hits the shot when he had the goal gaping on 23 minutes. Steve Fletcher hobbles off and Jacob Brown replaces him. A free kick given away by Rico is headed wide by Nick Powell. Surridge wins a free kick in a promising area. Stanislas puts it wide around the wall, but has the corner. Lewis Cook looks the most alert of AFCB's players. It's all a bit rushed for Bournemouth. They don't look comfortable.
Solanke had an opportunity to put Solanke in but over hot the pass. Lewis Cook is doing his best but the midfield is getting overrun.
Second half
Bournemouth win a corner. A good early cross from Lewis Cook is cleared.
Solanke does well and crosses but Bournemouth can't finish the move. The keeper comes out and parries well before Chester clears.
Brown has a shot saved by Begovic from distance. Adam Smith does the same at the other end but fires over. Thompson is booked for fouling Solanke. Chester is also booked trying to stop a throw.
Begovic drops on a low cross from McClean.
Joe Allen is forcing the game now and Powell has a shot deflected that Begovic saves. Solanke has a shot blocked. Bournemouth really need a change. Powell fouls Steve Cook when Bournemouth were in trouble from a good cross.
Sam Clucas replaces Thompson, McClean's cross is punched away by Begovic. Bournemouth sub Surridge for Brooks on 71 minutes.
Advertisement
McClean s booked for a foul on Brooks. Both teams look to have run out of ideas. Lewis cook spins the ball on to Stanislas and Stanislas scores on 79 minutes 0-1.
Tymon replaces McClean, Sam Vokes is also on for Smith. Adam Smith is replaced by Josh King on 85 minutes.
Solanke gets around the back and pulls it back, and Stanislas rushes in but sees his shot blocked from eight yards out. Stoke have a corner given away by Simpson. It's defended. King plays in Broks but his square ball to Solanke is cut out.
Lerma has been booked in added time. Brooks on the break finds King but Collins gets across to block.
Solanke is fouled and Souttar is in the book.
Advertisement
The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order Summary
A fortunate win for Bournemouth that keeps them on course. Stoke were the better team for much of this match and Bournemouth failed to register any real attempts on goal. They were all over the place in defence at times and yet they managed to keep a clean sheet. Begovic didn't have to be at his best but Bournemouth didn't dominate the ball and were not playing that well on the counter. Even with Brooks coming on the game didn't change much, but with Josh King as well on the pitch, space was created for Stanislas to pinch the winner. Lewis Cook was the main reason why Bournemouth perhaps had the edge to win ugly.
AFCB Ratings: Begovic 6, A Smith 6, S Cook 6, Simpson 5, Kelly 5, Rico 5, Lerma 6, L Cook 7, Stanislas 6, Solanke 5, Surridge 6AFCB line-up
AFCB Subs: 23 Travers, 33 Zemura, 4 Gosling, 7 Brooks, 20 Riquelme, 24 Ofoborhm, 26 Kilkenny,
27 King, 32 Anthony
Cherry Chimes MoM: Lewis Cook
Stoke City: 32 Bursik, 37 Collins, 36 Souttar, 12 Chester, 14 Smith (Vokes84), 34 Thompson (Clucas 69), 25 Powell, 4 Allen, 11 McClean (Tymon 84), 13 Obi, 21 Fletcher (Brown 25)
Stoke City Sub: 6 Batth, 9 Vokes, 17 Shawcross, 18 Brown, 20 Oakley-Boothe, 22 Clucas, 24 Cousins, 35 Tymon, 40 Nna Noukeu
