Bournemouth return to form with easy win over Norwich

16 January 2016 17:53

Bournemouth recorded the biggest win of their short Barclays Premier League tenure after cruising to a 3-0 victory against Norwich.

Dan Gosling opened the scoring for the home side with 10 minutes gone before Charlie Daniels converted from the spot shortly after half-time.

Benik Afobe, Bournemouth's record signing, then opened his account for the club following a cool finish with 15 minutes remaining.

Both sides made one change from their midweek defeats. Bournemouth midfielder Marc Pugh came in for the injured Matt Ritchie while Gary O'Neill, sent off against Stoke, was replaced by Matt Jarvis.

Lewis Grabban had been expected to feature against his former club but the forward, who re-signed for the Cherries in a £7million deal earlier this month, was said to be suffering from an illness.

Bournemouth may have suffered a 3-1 home defeat against West Ham on Tuesday night, but there was no sign of any hangover for Howe's side.

Indeed it was the south coast club - on a winless run of four matches heading into Saturday's fixture - who came flying out of the blocks.

Afobe fizzed a 20-yard effort over Declan Rudd's bar with only two minutes gone, before Junior Stanislas' deflected shot then fell into the hands of the grateful Norwich goalkeeper.

Bournemouth have gained a reputation as fast-starters - having scored six goals inside the opening 15 minutes which is more than any other Premier League club - and with 10 minutes on the clock they increased that tally to seven.

Gosling ghosted unmarked into the Norwich area before Marc Pugh's pinpoint cross was headed home by the former Everton midfielder. It was Gosling's third league goal of the campaign and no less than the home side deserved for their early endeavour.

Gosling's curling left-footed effort then went narrowly wide of Rudd's right post before Bournemouth probably should have been given the chance to extend their lead from 12 yards.

Daniels, a constant threat down Bournemouth's left flank, was allowed to drift into the Norwich penalty area and appeared to be grappled to the floor by Russell Martin. The Canaries defender protested his innocence and referee Robert Madley waved away the home side's appeals.

Madley was back in the spotlight moments before the interval when Rudd scythed down Afobe on the edge of his own box. Harry Arter played Afobe through, and in attempting to clear the ball, Rudd took a wild swing with his right foot, before missing the ball and taking the former Wolves and Arsenal striker down with him. The home crowd chanted for a red card, but Rudd, with Sebastien Bassong and Ryan Bennett in close proximity, was shown only a yellow.

Moments after the re-start and it was Madley who was once more the focus of the home support after Arter fell in the Norwich penalty area. Madley turned down his appeals and the Cherries midfielder was booked for his protests.

Bournemouth, however, remained in the ascendancy and after Pugh's header was cleared off the line by Martin, Bournemouth were finally awarded a spot-kick.

Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe pulled back Pugh, and Madley had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Daniels stepped up to double Bournemouth's advantage and it was no less than Howe's side deserved.

Afobe, in only his second appearance for Bournemouth, then completed the victory when he tapped home a fine cross from Daniels. The result takes Howe's men above Norwich into 15th in the table with the Canaries now one point and one place below them.

TWEET OF THE MATCH

"Great win, fully deserved. Congrats bro on your first of many @Afobe_" - injured Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings

RATINGS

BOURNEMOUTH

Artur Boruc 7

Simon Francis 7

Steve Cook 7

Charlie Daniels 9

Dan Gosling 8

Andrew Surman 7

Marc Pugh 7

Harry Arter 8

Adam Smith 7

Junior Stanislas 7

Benik Afobe 8

Subs:

Eunan O'Kane 5

Glenn Murray 5

Yann Kermorgant 5

NORWICH

Declan Rudd 5

Ryan Bennett 5

Russell Martin 5

Sebastien Bassong 4

Jonny Howson 5

Alex Tettey 5

Wes Hoolahan 5

Matt Jarvis 5

Robbie Brady 5

Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe 4

Dieumerci Mbokani 5

Subs:

Cameron Jerome 5

Nathan Redmond 5

Graham Dorrans 5

STAR PLAYER

Charlie Daniels - Turned in an impressive display for Bournemouth as he bombed up and down the left flank. He scored from the penalty spot and then assisted Benik Afobe for his first goal for the club with a fine cross.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Norwich manager Alex Neil turning the air blue with an array of expletives after Sebastien Bassong asked for someone to fetch his gloves moments after the kick-off. Neil did not look impressed with Bassong's request, but the Cameroon defender got his wish.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

That was Norwich's third defeat in as many games and Neil cut a frustrated figure in the away dugout. In contrast, Eddie Howe will be delighted with his side's response from their second-half horror show against West Ham only five days ago.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

How was Declan Rudd not sent off for his foul on Afobe? The Norwich goalkeeper scythed down Bournemouth's new signing with a horror challenge, but was only booked. Not referee Robert Madley's finest afternoon.

NEXT UP

Sunderland v Bournemouth (Barclays Premier League, January 23)

Norwich v Liverpool (Barclays Premier League, January 23)

Source: PA