A nervy win by Bournemouth and a strong second half performance got Woodgate's team over the line in a must-win game for confidence. But it was Birmingham who struck first after Hogan pounced on a loose ball that Begovic hadn't kept hold of. Danjuma was back on target though to bring the scores level before half-time. It then needed Jack Wilshere to cap a great performance with his headed goal putting the Cherries in front, before Hogan squared it up with 22 minutes to go. A free kick then gave Billing the chance to win the game at the far post with his second goal of the season. It was the win that Bournemouth needed. Sure there were moments to forget in the game but the players pulled through and showed fighting spirit for once.
Bournemouth made four changes and started Adam Smith, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arnaut Danjuma and Shane Long. The players that were dropped were Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham, Stanislas, and Solanke who was injured.
Bournemouth began well by winning free kicks and getting the ball in the Birmingham box. Steve Cook headed one cross across the box but Adam Smith couldn't get on it in time.
Jack Wilshere was directing play just behind the forwards. Jeremie Bela had the first shot from distance which Begovic saved. Birmingham then won the first corner.
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Birmingham pressed well and Lewis Cook stumbled in his box allowing Bela to shoot at goal which Begovic pushed away only for Sanchez to shoot and have Steve Cook head off the line. Scott Hogan got the ball to Ivan Sunjic who then went close with a volley that Begovic pushed away.
Gardner then ran down the right-wing and put a cross in that Begovic dropped and Hogan made it 0-1 to the visitors on 27 minutes.
Bournemouth only have the flag to save them from being 0-2 down. A good ball from Gardner got to Pedersen who volleyed it into the goal, but the offside flag was up. Wilshere sets up a breakaway and Danjuma has found a finish in the bottom corner, it's 1-1 on 36 minutes.
Brooks sends a cross in and Danjuma heds wide of the left post. George Friend misses following a corner with a header. Bournemouth end the half on the attack with a corner, but had only managed two shots all half.
The second half started well for Bournemouth with a corner and Shane Long headed wide. Meanwhile, Danjuma was getting caught offside.
Danjuma gets around one player and finds Brooks. Adam Smith overlaps and crosses and Wilshere's header loops in Bournemouth's second goal at the far post 2-1, on 61 minutes.
Danjuma comes inside and gets the ball to Wilshere, it's on to Long and he fires towards goal and hits the bar. Harper is on for Sunjicc and Bela is subbed by Leko. Billing replaces Wilshere on 67 minutes.
Sanchez's cross is put away by Hogan with a flick header, it's 2-2. A suspicion of offside, but the goal stands. Danjuma takes a free kick and Billing somehow guides it in at the back stick. Bournemouth take the lead again 3-2 on 77 minutes.
Billing is yellow carded for a foul on Sanchez. Friend is booked for a foul on Lerma. Hogan and Colin are subbed for Valery and Jutkiewicz. Bournemouth sub Brooks with Stacey on 85 minutes.
Lerma puts in Danjuma from distance he shoots, but his shot is saved. Cosgrove replaces Sanchez on 88 minutes and Rico is on for Danjuma. There are four minutes of added time. Garder is booked.
Birmingham City
30 Etheridge, 2 Colin (Jutkiewicz 85), 12 Dean, 5 Friend, 3 Pedersen, 19 San José, 17 Sánchez (Cosgrove 88), 34 Sunjic (Harper 67), 20 Gardner, 11 Bela (Leko 67), 9 Hogan (Valery 85)
