Sumptous Man City put four past the Cherries

Match Description

Man City 4 v 0 AFCB

17 September 2016
Attendance: 54,335

A hard day for the Cherries on their travels to the Etihad.

The Cherries went to the Etihad knowing that they were in for a big test and City did not let them leave without feeling the heat of the Sky Blue's new found free-flowing football that has taken Pep Guardiola's side to a five point lead in the Premier League. The contest was difficult for AFCB from the start with City purring with the chance to play in front of their home crowd on a Saturday and with Kevin de Bruyne netting from a simple free -kick in the 15th minute, the doors slowly opened on the Cherries defence with Iheanacho making it two before half time. City were just as dominant in the second half and Bournemouth were found wanting even though they gave of their best. Sterling and Gündogan made it four and the thing that may anger Eddie Howe more is seeing Adam Smith getting involved in needless provoking incident that resulted in City's Nolito getting sent off.

Eddie Howe surprised many fans by putting Callum Wilson on the bench for the game against Man City, but he certainly had a game plan for this match with Jack Wilshere making his first Premier League start for AFCB. Nathan Aké was also brought back into the match day squad, while Marc Wilson was left out.

For Man City there was only three changes from their midweek match in the Champions League against Borussia Monchengladbach. John Stones was moved to the bench while Aguero was suspended and Navas was left out. In came Sangna at the back, Nolito in midfield and Iheanacho up front.

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Man City go straight on the attack with De Bruyne taking a shot but Boruc manages to palm it away! Worrying that De Bruyne drove straight through the middle of AFCB. City with the ball and every. 

AFCB break and Josh King wins the corner. Stanislas takes it but Kolarov clears. Arter defends at the other end and stops Sterling, corner to City. Kolarov hits a high shot into the crowd. Boruc kicks straight to Sagna. It's a gentle start.

Iheanacho jumps on a loose ball and he shoots but its deflected wide for a corner off of Steve Cook. Cook had given the ball away. City are pressing AFCB when they have possession at the back.

Eight minutes gone. Wilshere gets a cross in. Arter and then Daniels keep the ball in the City half. King chases and King wins a corner off of Otamendi. King has the pace to out sprint the City defence. Sterling is caught by Stanislas and wins a free kick.

Daniels cross aims for King, but City clear. Fernandinho comes forward but the move breaks down. Direct free kick to City after Adam Smith pushes Nolito. De Bruyne lines it up. Everyone is back for AFCB. De Bruyne strikes it low and it hits the back of the net through the wall! 1-0 City. Boruc was unsighted and it was a low side footer under the wall on 14 minutes - he just stroked it in.

Nolito and De Bruyne break having caught Wilshere in midfield but Nolito hits his shot weakly at Boruc who saves. A let off there! Nolito is causing all kind of problems on the left.

AFCB have set up with Wilshere next to Ibe, then Surman and Arter closer to Stanislas on Bournemouth's left side. Sterling on the right puts in a deep Cross and Boruc just about clears with a scrambling prod at the ball.

City go forward De Bruyne puts in Sterling across the six-yard line and Iheanacho is there to make it 2-0! Simple, and AFCB are in trouble here. Iheanacho almost stumbled as it went in but he converted it well enough. Some 25 minutes gone at the Etihad. AFCB need to keep this respectable.

City are just a step ahead here. AFCB are doing a lot of chasing. King on the break has a chance to get a shot in but Otamendi gets back with the help of Bravo.

Adam Smith and Simon Francis work hard to get the ball out from the back but it just comes back. Bournemouth just can't get the ball. City are dictating. Clichy runs long but is offside.

Here comes Wilshere and Jordan Ibe, good cross to King and its loose Stanislas almost got in but can't get to the ball first.

Kolarov has a shot from range but Boruc is well behind it. Iheanacho into Sterling and Boruc has to save again, corner to City. Wilshere is down holding his hand. 

Iheanacho and Sterling combine again and Boruc saves with his feet. This just looks like a training game for City.

Ibe brings the ball out well but Daniels can't keep it in under challenge. Cook takes a long throw, City clear though. Boruc makes another save from Nolito. Ibe makes a great turn but can't find a team-mate. Wilshere and Arter have switched on either side of Surman.

One additional minute, Kolarov pulls the ball right across the box but nobody gets near it. Half time 2-0.

Second half
Bournemouth make a change with Callum Wilson coming on for Jordan Ibe. King moves out to the left as AFCB set up 4-1-4-1 now. Chance for Stanislas but his miscued it. De Bruyne through the middle to Iheanacho and back across to Sterling for a tap in - 3-0. City just walked that in! Forty-eight minutes gone here. Not the start AFCB needed to the second half.

A free kick to City, Boruc saves to his right as De Bruyne strikes it over the wall. Gündogan shoots, but its deflected wide.

City win a corner and sub Otamendi for John Stones. Adam Smith looks for Wilshere, but its short and De Bruyne gets a shot in that Boruc saves comfortable. The Cherries are just not playing their normal goal. It's as if they are not sure what to do. 

Iheanacho chases Francis in the AFCB box and Francis does well not to give away a chance. Wilson on the break comes between Stones and another City defender and draw a save from Bravo. Decent effort that.

Sterling at the other end just shoots over. Boruc is getting some attention. There is 30 minutes to go and I'm wondering if AFCB can get on the score sheet. AFCB enjoy a bit of possession but Surman puts his pass to Stanislas off the pitch.

Boruc next fails to find Daniels with a throw out, but De Bruyne can't capitalise on it. Sterling comes inside Daniels and into the box. The AFCB players can't get near him, Cook, Francis and Surman don't stop him and the shot is off teh post and saved by Boruc's feet!

De Bruyne makes space down the left and feeds Gündogan off the back of Stanislas and he places it to Boruc's left and it's 4-0.

Arter comes back and shoots to get a corner. This is tough for the Cherries though, even if they are trying to still pass their way up the field.

Gosling comes on for Wilshere on 86 minutes.  Leroy Sané then comes on for City as one of the goal scorers Gündogan goes off.

Max Gradel comes on for Junior Stanislas. Adam Smith drives forward but screws his shot wide. De Bruyne is now subbed for Alexia García Serrano. Smith comes inside again and passes to Wilson who hits it first time and right onto the cross bar! The Cherries are then off side. Unlucky there.

Wilson wins a free kick in his own half. He has been bright since coming in. AFCB are trying to play a bit now but it is a very one-sided game.

The last 10 minutes now. City pinch the ball off Daniels but it comes to nothing. Sané puts a shot well over, cutting in from the right. Arter then makes a great shot and drills it just wide of the left upright! That was close.

King puts in a cross that is too deep. Smith pushes Nolito and Nolito retaliates with his head put against Adam Smith and he is off! Adam Smith gets a yellow too. Not proud of Smith there but Nolita should not use his head to try and get even.

Smith now puts out and arm and Sterling goes down. A bit of a hand-off but not worthy of another yellow to Mr Friend. Garcia stops Wilson from getting a shot in. There's three minutes of added time to go.

Summary
AFCB were outclassed but there is no disgrace in that. They could not get a rhythm as they could not get the ball for much of the game. This is a game that they just have to take as a match that they were beaten and well beaten. There is no comfort in that and the four goals came without the gifts that you could accuse AFCB of giving City last time they played at the Etihad. AFCB will not be the only team that get a scoreline like this, and while it is hard to take any positives from the game, the players will know that they have easier games ahead of them.

AFCB
Boruc, A Smith, Francis, S Cook, Daniels, Ibe (Wilson), Arter, Wilshere (Gosling68), Surman, Stanislas (Gradel 74), King

AFCB Subs
Federici, Aké, B Smith, Gosling, Gradel, Afobe, Wilson

Man City
Bravo, Sagna, Otamendi (Stones 52), Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Gündogan (Sané 72), Sterling, De Bruyne (García Serrano 75), Nolito, Iheanacho

City Subs

Kompany, Zabaleta, Caballero, Jesús Navas, Sané, Stones, García Serrano

Referee: Kevin Friend

The Cherries rip Newcastle to shreds 1-3

Match Description

5 March 2016

Newcastle Utd 1 v 3 ACFB

Attendance: 52,107 (~3000 AFCB fans)

St James' Park saw a big away win for AFCB. Picture supplied by Damien Hill

AFC Bournemouth came into this game with some of the pressure perhaps taken off of them with the midweek win. Still Newcastle were certainly fighting for their lives and had a reasonably strong home record until the Cherries turned up. The match was really won by AFCB's high work rate and finishing power. While the first goal came from a deflected Josh King cross it was consistent with the run of play and when Josh King cracked in the second from just inside the box it looked all too easy. Jonjo Shelvey was probably Newcastle's best player and he fed Mitrovic in for a comeback goal that put the jitters through AFCB for a while only for Charlie Daniels to shoot in a thumping killer blow in added on time to make the points safe.

AFCB only made one change from the last match with Harry Arter missing out with an Achilles problem. In came ex-Toon player Dan Gosling to replace him. On the bench there was no Juan Iturbe but Eunan O'Kane made the subs for a change.

Steve McClaren made two changes with Gouffran and Mitrovic dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Perez and Riviere.

Gayle Hope (@bmb_afcb) was the closest guesser for the last goal and she wins this week's prize! Just 2 minutes off!

Jason Tindall reveals the team news.

Match Description

Francis takes the ball off Riviere but Sissoko put in a great ball that went swirling across AFCB's box from the right side! Jonjo Shelvey takes the ball off Afobe and pulls his shot just wide of Boruc's right post from 20 yards out! Close!

Ritchie's cross then forces Rob Elliot to make a near post save. Adam Smith is the first player fouled - there's a surprise!  Daniels is getting some good touches on the ball. Afobe is coming deep to get on the ball. Gradel pops up on the right and wins the first corner.

Cook on the floor tries to scramble the ball back and Surman tries to get out the way, Gradel - just over!

Franno does some good clearing up at the back. Well I can hear AFCB fans singing "Keep the red flag flying high." Daniels cross is collected by Smith. Adam Smith dinks in a cross and the ball falls on Afobe's chest and hits a volley but it's over the bar! It just would not come down for him.

Newcastle's passing breaks down. King almost gets Ritchie in with a back heel. AFCB playing with some freedom today, which is good to see. Shelvey puts in a long ball to Riviere but Cook covers well. Janmatt tries a shot which is blocked and Sissoko's cross is cleared by Surman, 13 minutes gone.

Wiljnaldum cuts the ball across the top of the box to Perez who fires over for Newcastle. Ritchie fouls Colback in Newcastle's box. "Is this a library?' Not with AFCB fans singing away.

Good steal by Ritchie. Smith comes forward. Newcastle fans are clapping on 17 minutes. "We've got the special one," sing AFCB. The sting has just been taken out of the game a bit. Wijnaldum s fouled by Smith in the Newcastle half.

We enter the 21st minute. Daniel's early cross was cleared but Ritchie might have had a shot but he looked for King and he was on his heels. King holds the ball up well but Shelvey comes flying in and tackles him.

Janmatt down the right pulls it back for Riviere but Francis just gets a touch on it as it goes wide! Good chance. Corner to the Toon. It goes through everyone but another corner has been given.

Break on with Afobe and Janmatt on the cover gets a corner.  Cook tried to get on the end of it.

AFCB get back and defend. Perez has a dig from distance but it's well wide. Sissokko puts in a cross and Francis heads clear.

Janmaat clobbers Gradel. Gradel beats a few players wriggling free, passes to King on the left and the cross is deflected by Taylor past Elliot on the near post 0-1!! AFCB are in the lead on 29 minutes.

AFCB keeping possession now. Here comes the "Eddie had a dream, -17 song!" Sub for Newcastle. Lots of boos. Dummett is off and on comes Anita on 31 minutes. Tactical or was Dummett injured? Lots of unrest in the Newcastle crowd.

AFCB are bossing the game now. Newcastle are resorting to long balls to Riviere but Francis will mop those balls up all day long. King has a burst on the right against Lascellles. AFCB settle for a throw.

Daniels wins a free kick on half way. Gradel now against Janmaat. King on the left beats two, Daniels cross is cleared. Smith and Afobe goes down in the box from Colback's challenge no penalty given. Afobe made too much of that perhaps.

Ritchie on the right gets a cross in and it beats Lascelles, but Afobe slips just when he needed to shoot! Taylor would not have got to him. Fortunate that for Newcastle.

Perez puts in a weak low cross that Francis clears. Franno has played well at the back this half. Ritchie can't quite get his cross in this time. Gradel lifts a lovely ball over the top for Afobe but the striker is beaten off it. Gradel again and Daniels into King but the touch is heavy from King and the ball goes to Elliot.

Riviere loses out having been pulled back. Ritchie slips in the box. Wijnaldum and Shelvey now. Janmaat and Colback. AFCB getting back in numbers.Gosling and Cook sort it out. Shelvey flies in against Ritchie on half way. No foul. Cook has to put in a good headed clearance. Newcastle pressure.

The crowd is very agitated as half time approaches. Newcastle fans are frustrated Riviere crosses to Taylor and he has a chance to shoot. He chests it down with Gosling and Francis closing,  but he has it deflected wide of the left post! That was the best chance for Newcastle. Corner and Afobe heads clear. Shelvey's cross is headed behind by Wijnaldum. Cook is given a yellow card for the pull back earlier on Riviere.

Shelvey fouls Gosling with two minutes of added time. 0-1 at half time and a good chorus of boos from the Toon Army for Mr McClaren.

Half time stats - AFCB shots 5, 0 shots on target, 2 corners, 2 fouls, 55% possession. Newcastle Utd - 7 shots, 0 shots on target, 3 corners, 6 fouls, 45% possession.

Second Half
Mitrovic replaces Riviere. A popular substitution with the Newcastle fans. King and Afobe kick off. The Cherries have the ball. Colback and Perez get on the ball - nothing on.

A good ball in from Newcastle's right but AFCB's centre half clear. Gradel goes for a shot as it opens up - well wide. AFCB fans sing flying high. Shelvey loses the ball in the middle and King breaks but has a shot blocked.

King now 2 v 2. Afobe wide and Taylor heads clear. Smith shoots low to the bottom left corner and Elliot puts it behind for a corner. Wijnaldum clears. Gosling has his shot blocked by Anita and Shelvey breaks. Anita to Janmaat bit the cross is too high.

End to end now. Francis tries to take the sting out of the game by slowing things down. Gradel and King fights for the ball in the box but it breaks to Elliot. Dummett had a hamstring problem apparently. Lascelles is struggling now.

Perez has a shot that Boruc takes comfortably. Perez gets carded for pulling back Smith. Appeals for handball Gradel goes over from Perez challenge, no penalty. Shove in the back? 57 minutes gone.

The players are starting to look tiered. Pugh is getting ready to come on. He replaces Gradel on the hour. Mitrovic receives the ball and makes a turn. He's running at goal and takes aim. It just clears the bar! AFCB backing off there.

Daniels takes his time over the throw and Francis gets the warning for the team. Janmaat comes forward and links with Wiljnaldum. His shot forces Boruc into a near post save - corner. Pugh clears up.

Mitrovic gets away from Gosling and Sissoko fires straight at Boruc, comfortable height. Daniels makes  a good run forward. At the other end Mirtovic sees his shot blocked.

King beats Lascelles but can't find a pink shirt. It's too open open this game. AFCB need to close up shop a bit now. Newcastle make their last sub. Sissoko goes off and Aarons comes on. Afobe is also subbed by Lewis Grabban. Ritchie in for King and he hist the top corner 0-2.

Fabulous goal. King split Taylor and Janmaat and buried that on the turn. That went in on 70 minutes. Grabban fouls Colback. Aarons runs it out of play. Gosling gets a yellow for a late challenge on Wijnaldum. AFCB need some calm heads now.

Free kick to the Cherries now. Newcastle deal with it. A straight ball through to Perez and he's scored! Shelvey played the ball through and it split Cook and Francis. 10 minutes to go. Poor defending from AFCB.

Shelvey again, but Mitrovic is offside. Will Eddie put on another midfield player or defender? Ritchie does well to win a free kick with Shelvey pushing him to the floor.

Grabban on the ball on the left. He turns and shoots but Elliot reads it well. King and Pugh shoots. Elliot saves and AFCB get a corner. Gosling finds Grabban on the far side of the box and the shot misses by a whisker!

Four minutes plus added time to go. Wijnaldum with a chance after Gosling's stab back and it's deflected for a corner! Grabban gets a yellow card for kicking the ball away. Sylvain Distin is getting ready to come on.

King now and Ritchie. Newcastle have it in the corner. Distin comes on for Matt Ritchie.
Daniels runs up the left wing and he has a shot - it's in the bottom corner!! (90+2). That's 1-3 and a devastating goal for the Toon Army.

Janmaat with a cross in and Boruc punches it away.

Summary
A superb away win for AFCB and the score line did not flatter the team either. It is all about how far the side want to go now. They have shown that when they work hard and keep their shape they are a match for any team in the Premier League. There was a spell after Newcastle scored when things did get edgy but the players really dug in well and it is a massive three points for Eddie Howe's team which pushes them ever closer to safety now. The goals from Charlie Daniels and Josh King capped off a great game for AFCB. I hope those that travelled all that way enjoyed their day.

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Distin 90), Gosling, Surman, Gradel (Pugh 60), Afobe (Grabban 70), King

Cherries' Subs

Federici, Distin, Elphick, O'Kane, Pugh, Grabban, Murray

AFCB ratings
Boruc 6, Smith 7, Francis 8, Cook 7, Daniels 8, Ritchie 6, Gosling 6, Surman 6, Gradel 8,
King 8,Afobe 7

Newcastle Utd

Elliot, Janmaat, Taylor, Lascelles, Dummett (Anita 31), Shelvey, Colback, Sissoko (Aarons 69), Pérez, Wijnaldum, Riviere (Mitrovic 45)

Toon Subs
Anitam, Gouffran, Aarons, Saivet, Darlow, Doumbia, Mitrovic

Ref Watch: Paul Tierney 7/10 I quite liked his performance. He tried to let the game flow and he booked the fouls that were yellow cards.

The Cherries Cook Koeman's Saints at home 2-0

Match Description

AFCB 2 v 0 Southampton

1 March 2016

Attendance: 11,033

AFCB official photograph: Steve Cook celebrates his goal.

This was a match that was always going to be massive for the Cherries if they could get a result. This South coast derby has been one-sided affair for too long, but there was a maturity about the Cherries play right from the start as they built pressure up on the Southampton goal with consecutive corners. The Saint's three at the back had their work cut-out, but it was a cheap free kick that led to the Saint's real problems when Fraser Forster made a good save to his right from Matt Ritchie's delivery, only for centre back Steve Cook to fire the Cherries ahead. AFCB have lost a lot of games from winning positions, but the back four held tight before Benik Afobe headed home a free kick from Matt Ritchie to make it 2-0 with 11 minutes to go.

Eddie Howe decided to keep Max Gradel in the starting 11 after his great performance at Watford and Junior Stanislas is injured so is rested. Marc Pugh came back onto the bench along with Lewis Grabban who recovered from his groin strain. Juan Iturbe was the unlucky player to miss out this time. 

Eddie said before the game: "We are looking to set a platform at home. ...We have not done well in local derby's of late so we have a point to prove."

He also mentioned Josh King's partner had a baby boy called Noah yesterday, so congratulations to the new mum and dad. The Cherries were in their normal black and red home strip and Southampton played in green socks, green top with diagonal blue stripe and blue shorts.

Southampton brought in Yoshida, Mane, and Ward-Prowse and dropped Soares, out of the squad, while Davis and Taggett were put on the bench. Shane Long recovered well enough from his injury at Chelsea to start with Saido Mane playing behind him and Charlie Austin. Koeman decided to play three at the back - Betrand, Yoshida and Fonte.

Jason Tindall runs through AFCB's team news.

Score predictions - there were three correct guesses Matt Adams @SeaScalpel, Wenders @WendyCherries and Stephen Allen ‏@stevecherries. We could only have one winner though and out of the hat came - Wenders Congratulations! The wine/beer mat is on its way to you.

First Half

AFCB start well with Francis playing a long ball up the right wing and from the throw Josh King got round the back and Ritchie put in a great strike that Forster saved with his legs at the near post! Daniels kept the pressure on winning another corner this time on the left, but Forster punched clear. Ritchie again got in from a cross field ball for Charlie Daniels and Afobe forced another corner.

Ward-Prowse had a cross cleared before Cedric got down the right and the pull back found Charlie Austin, but he shot wide of the left post! Great chance missed.

Daniels' run up the left led to a pass to Gradel inside and he moved the ball on to Afobe for another AFCB corner on the left on 8 minutes, which was well defended. The Saints were struggling to get much passing together though and AFCB were soon back on the ball with Gradel forcing yet another corner on 9 minutes. Daniels won the header but it was cleared.

Southampton on the break could not keep the ball in play. The Saints then got a bit of possession and Van Dijk had an effort from 35 yards blocked.

King made a good cut back but it was too long for Gradel. King had his shot blocked before Smith had his cross blocked. 

Francis was quick to cut out another Saint's break. Ritchie caught Mane and gave away a free kick. That's the second challenge when Ritchie has been late. Betrand then put in a good cross that Cook cleared before Romeu handled it and passed to Mane who shot over! Handball ref! 

Mane and Betrand working on the left wing put in a cross but Boruc was there to catch the ball cleanly after 19 minutes. Van Dijk was having to make some good defensive headers with Daniels testing the Saint's with his crosses.

Surman was spreading play well but Romeu was quickly onto Arter and sought to capitalise before AFCB again regained possession. Austin pulled to the left and put in a good cross but Long could not get a clean header on it and Boruc came out to claim it.

AFCB then won a free kick centrally just outside the box as King fell to his knees under pressure from Van Dijk. Ritchie and Surman discussed matters before Surman's short pass to Ritchie and the shot came off the wall.

Cook missed a high ball completely in the centre of midfield but Long fouled Adam Smith so there was no damage. Betrand then won a free kick on the left with King making the challenge on 28 minutes. Cook won the header though. 

A good touch by Ritchie sent Smith on his way before the ball came back to Gradel. The final ball in though was again poor. King and Fonte battled for the ball on the right and King got the verdict of a free kick right on the edge of the box.

Ritchie fired the ball in and Forster saved it almost by surprise but the ball fell to Cook and he volleyed down and into the left side of the goal - 1-0 to AFCB - nice sliding knee celebration too! 32 minutes gone. If Forster had not got a hand to Ritchie's effort Afobe would have headed the ball in - great delivery from Ritchie.

AFCB were in the mood now. Cook played in Daniels and Gradel's cross was hastily cleared by the Saint's but Daniels was soon coming back again. Gradel took the pass and fired a curling shot just over the top left corner!

Koeman made a sub with Yoshida coming off on 35 minutes and Davis came on to change the shape of the Saint's team. The three at the back is not working for Southampton. Austin was pulled up for a handball.

Southampton still haven't really got going. Austin fouling Daniels. Adam Smith was then fouled by Romeu on half way. Francis immediately shoved Long though on the right and that was that attack over.

A strong run from King was thwarted by Van Dijk and ran out for a goal kick, but Josh was having a good game. Cedric was then nailed by a Charlie Daniels tackle on the left and Cook was keen to win the headers in the box. Boruc then also took a cross from Cedric, no problem.

Arter on the break almost let in Afobe on the right but Fonte got a foot in for a clearance just in time. The corner hit Shane Long's hand come mid-rift, but the hand was not raised. Another corner to AFCB, Bournemouth's seventh.

Play stopped then as the fourth official might have fallen over? Yes, Kevin Friend banged his head on the dugout and is off to hospital. Hope he is going to be okay. One minute of extra time. 

AFCB official tweeted image.

Second Half
We have a new fourth official - Dean Trelevan from West Sussex. Saint's still have three up front as the second half begins and Arter spins in a ball to Daniels who is fouled. Gradel plays it in too deep.

Cedric put in a good cross on the right for Austin before Long handled the ball in the box and AFCB escaped with a free kick. Gradel then on the ball high up the field before Daniels won a corner. 

Afobe then added to the corner count again. The Saint's were keeping the ball better now but AFCB were looking to snatch it on the break and after 53 minutes Southampton won their first corner off of Charlie Daniels. Surman headed it clear.

Southampton were scurrying after the ball now and pushing up. But Harry Arter was also forcing Southampton into errors. Gradel had a good chance to play in Afobe but over hit it as the quality of the second half appeared to have dipped.

Charlie Austin was then in trouble with his knee on 60 minutes and Pelle came on for him. Fonte played a good ball in for Pelle who headed down into Long's path but Cook got his foot in first and cleared. Long went down though with a knock to his shin.

The game is becoming very scrappy. Arter is seeking attention and asking to be subbed, something with his left foot is troubling him. Gosling comes on for him. 

Josh King did some nice holding off of Betrand wrestling him to the ground. AFCB seem happy to make this an ugly affair now. Saint's brought on Tadic for Long on 70 minutes taking up a position on the left. AFCB took off King and brought on Lewis Grabban.

Tadic immediately put n a low cross but Francis was equal to it. AFCB defending quite deep now. Pelle tries a shot from distance and he just pulls it wide of the right post but Boruc had it covered, That's woken the Cherries up a bit. 

The passing is pretty poor at the moment by both teams. Cook takes a high boot from Pella and wins the free kick. AFCB  are hanging on a bit, but the back four and keeper have been great.

Just 12 minutes left. Van Dijk fouls Afobe from the throw in. Matt Ritchie sends in a free kick from just inside the Saint's half on the right and Benk Afobe is there, rising and beats the keeper to it. He's headed it in 2-0! Massive goal! 79 minutes are up.

Corner now to the Cherries. Pushing - free kick to the Saints. Spoiling tactics coming into play now from the Cherries. Lewis Grabban stands on the ball when it's a Saint's free kick.

Romeu plays a super ball through to Mane. Boruc spreads himself and makes the save!! It's all gong AFCB's way tonight. Boruc off his line quick and right at Mane's feet.

AFCB's fans are singing now. "We come from League Two!" Four minutes of extra time are being played. Gosling had a speculative effort that would not have been out of place at Twickenham, but it does not matter. The points belong to AFCB 

Summary
Eight points clear of the relegation zone. A first win against the Saint's since 1958 - a nice symmetry of it being 58 years ago. AFC Bournemouth are putting the foundations down for a longer stay in the Premier League and they finally managed to put in a home performance to thank their fans. That is what I was most pleased about. Southampton might not have played well but they still had to be beaten. At least their fans can have the consolation that it might mean there is a better chance of the two teams playing some more games next season. There's still work to be done, but a couple more wins is going to make it hard for AFCB to get caught. Eddie must ensure the players don't take their foot off the gas though. UTCIAD!

AFCB (4-4-2)
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter (Gosling 66), Surman, Gradel, King (Grabban 71), Afobe

Cherries' Subs
Federici, Elphick, Distin, Gosling, Pugh, Grabban, Murray

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 7, Smith 6, Francis 6, Cook 9, Daniels 8, Ritchie 7, Arter 7, Surman 7, Gradel 7, King 8, Afobe 6

Southampton (3-4-1-2)
Forster, Cedric, Yoshida (Davis 34), Fonte, Long (Tadic 70), Mane, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Van Dijk, Betrand, Austin (Pelle 60)

Saint's subs
Clasie, Davis, Tadic, Martina, Targett, Pelle

Referee Watch Mike Dean: 6/10 nothing free kicks given but for once they mainly favoured AFCB. I'm not complaining.

Afobe nets again but Sunderland find a reply 1-1

Match Description

Sunderland 1 v 1 AFCB

23 January 2016

Attendance: 41,367

It was a bottom half of the table clash that neither side could really afford to lose. When Benik Afobe put the Cherries ahead on 13 minutes it looked like the pattern had been set for the Cherries to cut the Black Cats adrift, but a late first half goal by Patrick van Aanholt earned Sunderland a draw and the first under Sam Allardyce. While the result was probably a better point for AFCB, the sight of Junior Stanislas limping off at the end of the match was another sorry blow for the team that still has a lot of injuries. 

The AFCB side remained unchanged for the starting line up which meant Ritchie only managed to make it on to the sub's bench along with Lewis Grabban who also missed out last week against Norwich City. There was no place for Lee Tomlin in the squad who has been the talk of much transfer speculation and Tommy Elphick has still not made the bench yet despite having been in full training last week.

Sunderland made a goalkeeper change by bringing in Veto for Pickford while Borini came in for Danny Graham who was sent out on loan this week to Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.

 
Team news with Jason Tindall.

Match review as it happened - live stream
AFCB line up in their blue strip as they take on Sunderland. Adam Smith is caught by Lens but it's out for a throw. Afobe now fouls Wes Brown. Pugh and Daniels get early touches. 

Borini goes on a direct run and Smith covers and concedes a corner. Boruc makes a good catch. Lens and Stanislas get in a tangle but both get up okay. AFCB are pressing high up, but Sunderland find a way out with Johnson. 

AFCB win back possession. Pugh and Arter take control and Pugh wins a free kick from Billy Jones, five minutes gone. In it comes from Stanislas, it's high up in the box from a clearance and Daniels shot is weak and easy for the keeper.

Bournemouth come forward again. Arter and Daniels, now Pugh good cross but Gosling can't get a good head on it and Sunderland clear. Lens now is tackled by Daniels. Stanislas on the right, plays it too strong for Smith - goal kick.

Afobe is grounded by O'Shea but no free kick. Arter wins the ball. Cook now long to Stanislas and a throw. Both teams feeling each other out here. Jones puts in a good challenge on Arter. Stanislas weaves towards the box but is stopped. Gosling and Surman, Arter, Smith, Francis and Gosling crosses and Afobe can't quite reach it! Would have only needed a touch! 11 minutes gone, and that was the best chance so far.

Sunderland now at the back. Lens plays a ball for Defoe but he can't get to it.  AFCB at the back. Daniels and Arter, long to Stanislas and the cross bounces and is headed in by Afobe into the roof of the net! 13 minutes and 1-0 to the Cherries - fantastic ball in and finish by Afobe ahead of O'Shea. 

Surman and Gosling in midfield. Afobe out to Pugh and Daniels crosses and Stanislas puts it over! O'Shea got a head on it and it deflected onto Stanislas' thigh and over the bar! 

It's been a great start by the Cherries. Sunderland have a free kick near the centre circle.Gosling comes forward and Smith's shot is blocked. Surman gets a yellow card for a foul on Borini, 18 minutes gone. 

Sunderland have the ball. Pugh and Arter and Pugh again. Cut's back and wins a corner for the Cherries. It's the dummy from Arter and Surman shoots wide! AFCB are winning the middle of the park battle.

Pugh and Gosling, back to Pugh but Cattermole intercepts. Francis and Stanislas on the right back to Afobe and Stanislas tries to get a shot off by van Aanholt tackles. 

AFCB are well in control. The ball is being played around very calmly. Surman out to Pugh and Jones gets a tackle in. Arter and Gosling, Stanislas shoots but the Mannone keeps it out. 

Smith and Gosling in the right corner and O'Shea gets a clearance. Sunderland fans are booing. Constant pressure from AFCB. Sunderland just can't get the ball. Arter to Stanislas and Afobe shoots and Manonne makes a save.

AFCB have had five attempts and Sunderland nil. Arter wins a foul. Cattermole puts a punt up field but it's just coming back again. Surman and Francis. Smith to Cook and he hits a 25 yard shot over, 28 minutes gone.

Johnson and Cattermole, van Aanholt - it's back with O'Shea. Sunderland keeping the ball. Jones is tackled by Daniels who gives a corner away for Sunderland. AFCB put a few headers in to clear. Johnson wins a throw. Francis heads out as Sunderland come again. Cattermole to Johnson but he can't find Lens, 32 minutes gone.

AFCB need to get this second goal you feel. Sunderland have a free kick 10 yards outside the box. Surman makes the headed clearance. A deep cross to Jones who heads it to John O'Shea and O'Shea heads down and a Boruc makes a save with his left hand at full stretch! It looked like it might have been going just wide. That's the best Sunderland have come up with so far.

AFCB lose the ball. Sunderland have a free kick with Smith committing a foul. It goes over everyone and out for a goal kick. Cook plays the ball up. Pugh loses control. Arter wins a throw though. Francis out to Smith and Stanislas comes short. Stanislas back to Francis. Smith has run the ball out, 38 minutes gone.

AFCB's tempo has just slipped a bit. Sunderland looking the stronger now. Daniels gets a tackle in. Stanislas comes away with the ball. Cook and Daniels loses out to Johnson and Defoe. Stanislas and Arter, Afobe and Pugh cuts onto his right but hits a shot over.

Borini has a shot blocked. Pugh loses out.  Lens and Johnson but Gosling runs back and wins the ball. Gosling attacking now and O'Shea clears the danger. Wes Brown gets a free kick. There;s not enough movement about Sunderland. Lens is tackled by Daniels and the result is a goal kick to AFCB.

Defoe has a rare touch. Van Aanholt and Borini to Cattermole. Van Aanholt can't keep it in. AFCB doing some defending, Borini has a shot from distance which deflects off Francis but Boruc reacts well and makes the save!

Added on time now. One minute to add. Sunderland move the ball from left to right. Borini in space and looks to van Aanholt! It's 1-1. Great run on the left wing and hits his shot across Boruc's near post. A crucial goal right on half time. Not enough cover from AFCB on the right hand side. We go into the break all square.

Second half
AFCB had nine shots to four in the first half, but did not make that early dominance pay with a second goal so they need to find that intensity again this half. Afobe has a run but is very isolated. Smith and Stanislas. Arter plays a one two with Gosling, but he over runs it. 

AFCB are back on the ball but it's given away and van Aanholt then gives it back. Afobe and Arter. Wide to Pugh and Daniels crosses and van Aanholt clears. Stanislas to Afobe who wins a corner. M'Villa heads clear. 

Gosling to Stanislas who scoops his shot high and wide! He could have give that to Arter. Surman and Smith cuts in. Arter switches play to Stanislas. Smith and Arter skips away from a challenge. 

AFCB have possession but are not finding a killer pass at the moment. Arter and Stanislas, Francis now loses the ball. M'Villa and Johnson to Lens but it's out for a goal kick.

Sunderland are looking for Defoe on the break. Lens and Johnson to can Aanholt. Defoe shrugs off one challenge but loses out. Cook makes a clearance and Johnson's long shot is easily dealt with by Boruc.

Pugh and M'Villa to Lens but his pass goes straight to Boruc. Afobe is offside.Defoe comes inside and has a curling shot that is a yard wide of Boruc's left post.

AFCB sub. Matt Ritchie comes on for Pugh on 57 minutes. Borini and Lens comes forward and wins a corner. Johnson puts a ball in and it  is headed by Jones but right at Boruc - good save! 

Francis to Smith and Defoe puts in a good challenge to win a throw. Jones and M'Villa, Surman clears up. Ritchie to Afobe on the right. Sunderland have the throw. Afobe gets some treatment. 

Daniels puts in a low cross and O'Shea puts it out for a corner to AFCB.It's well defended by Sunderland. Ritchie gets a looping header in but it's easy for Menonne. Grabban is getting ready to come on.

Afobe is penalised and is being subbed for Lewis Grabban to come on, on 65 minutes. Van Aanholt gives away a free kick.  Daniels and Gosling a long shot from Arter from distance was always going over.

Sunderland take off Fabio Borini and bring on Duncan Watmore. Watmore puts in a cross and it's cleared. Ritchie, Cook and Daniels. Johnson and Cattermole. Lens loses out to Smith. Ritchie, Smith and Arter. 

Gosling on half way. Surman. Defoe on the break Boruc clears. Johnson and Lens put in right across the six yard box. Lemc cross is towards Defoe but it's well defended. Free kick to Sunderland won by Lens on Smith after a quick turn. M'Villa gets a shot in at the far post but Boruc blocks and a shot from Watmore is cleared. 

Arter is hobbling. Lens puts a ball in and Boruc catches. Smith puts in a cross and O"Shea clears, 75 minutes have gone. Sunderland are just starting to win the midfield tussles now. Francis gets a good tackle in on Defoe. 

Van Aanholt is down after Smith challenged him for a high ball. 10 minutes of normal time to go. AFCB lose the ball and Sunderland break. Watmore puts too much on it and it's a goal kick. Grabban has a side foot chance but it's wide!

Daniels and Stanislas loses the ball. Ritchie, Arter. Daniels now. Surman and Arter and Daniels just lost control when he made his run in the box.

Sunderland have a goal kick. Sunderland get a sub ready. Lens to Watmore but Smith clears and Surman gets some treatment. Rodwell comes on for Lens. Defoe goes for a shot that deflects straight to Boruc. 

O'Shea puts the ball out and Jones get a yellow for a foul on Stanislas. Junior looks in trouble. That tackle was right through the back of him on his left leg. It was two feet off the ground. Stanislas is helped off and Glenn Murray comes on. There are three minutes of extra time being played.


The ball is cleared from the free kick for a corner. Surman is beaten to the ball by M'Villa. Ritchie to Smith. Arter to Daniels. Grabban and Arter over to Smith. Block - Johnson might fall for Watmore but AFCB clear. M'Villa puts in a long ball and Daniels clears. Rodwell and O'Shea. Francis makes a long clearance. Full Time 1-1.
Summary
The Cherries played some sensational football for the first 25 minutes of this game and should have been out of sight. It was good that Afobe got on the end of a Stanislas cross to put them ahead, but the dominance was not turned into clear shooting opportunities and Sunderland gradually found their way into the game. While Boruc did not have a great deal to do, just one moment of quick play and a strong finish by van Aanholt put the game back level and the second half became a bit of a struggle for both sides to create clear chances. Sunderland deserved a draw. 

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Stanislas (Murray 91), Surman, Arter, Gosling, Pugh (Ritchie 57), Afobe (Grabban 65)

AFCB Subs
Federici, Distin, O'Kane, Ritchie, Iturbe, Grabban, Murray

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Smith 6, Francis 7, Cook 6, Daniels 7, Stanislas 8, Surman 6, Arter 7, Gosling 6, Pugh 6, Afobe 7

Sunderland
Mannone, Jones, van Aanholt , O’Shea, Brown, Cattermole, M’Vila, Johnson, Lens (Rodwell 87), Borini (Watmore 66), Defoe.

Sunderland Subs
Pickford, Rodwell, N’Doye, Coates, Yedlin, Fletcher, Watmore.

Referee watch: Roger East 7/10