Cherries pick off Charlton
Callum Wilson's first-half goal proved to be the difference as Bournemouth earned a 1-0 win over Charlton.
The Addicks went into the game at the Goldsands as one of only three unbeaten teams in the top divisions but it was clear early on that Bournemouth were out to destroy that record with Wilson impressing throughout.
The former Coventry striker gave the Cherries the lead inside three minutes when he was allowed to tap in a Marc Pugh cross after Charlton had failed to deal with a corner.
Bournemouth had gone close just moments earlier when former West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson got down well to deny Harry Arter.
Igor Vetokele had been the talk of the terrace for most Charlton fans this season, but today it was the name Karlan Ahearne-Grant that all eyes were on.
Bob Peeters handed the teenage striker his first start and it was the 17-year old that was given Charlton's first glimpse of goal.
Only a last ditch-sliding block from Tommy Elphick could deny the youngster an equaliser after great work from Vetokele in the box.
The away side thought they had found an equaliser through a Johann Berg-Gudmundsson free-kick that sent Artur Boruc sprawling.
But the on-loan Saints' stopper had other ideas and tipped the curling effort over the bar.
It was to be the closest the away side game to dirtying the Polish keeper's clean sheet, with Wilson the playmaker throughout.
Bournemouth could have been out of sight with 25 minutes gone as Wilson rounded Henderson but his strike hit the side netting.
The Cherries had yet another chance to put the game beyond Peeters' side before half-time from a corner but Steve Cook headed his chance inches wide of Henderson's right-hand post.
Vetokele, who had spent much of the week on international duty, was taken off at half-time.
But yet again it was Wilson that was the star striker on show throughout the 90 minutes.
Charlton defender Chris Solly was forced to take one for the team, hacking down the magnificent Wilson as he raced towards goal.
The Charlton defence just could not handle his pace, and he should really of added to his tally.
Arter could have put the game to bed just after the hour mark but the former Charlton man skied his effort well over the bar.
And as the game drew to a close slight nerves began to cloud over the stadium as fans feared a late equaliser from the Addicks.
Subsitute Lawrie Wilson forced Boruc into a late save following a cross from fellow substitute Callum Harriott.
But Boruc was in no mood to lose his clean sheet and the Cherries held on for a well deserved three points.
Source: PA
