Burnley 0 Bournemouth 2
At Turf Moor, Burnley were still looking for their first win of the calendar year as they welcomed Bournemouth. Vincent Kompany had the look on his face of a man who knew time was running out for his side, if they had ambitions of staying in this league.
They created the first chance of the game as Assignon crossed into the box to pick out Odobert. His shot was too close to Neto in The Cherries’ goal and he got down to make a comfortable save. These are the fine margins of playing in the top-flight.
Tavernier got forward down the left wing for the visitors, leaving the full back sprawled out on the floor. He put a dangerous ball in across the six yard box but Taylor did brilliantly to knock it clear as he was heading into the back of the net himself.
It did not take long before Bournemouth were putting pressure on The Clarets’ defence once again. Kluivert sold a dummy to the defender, seeing him go sliding by, before smashing the ball into the back of the net to make it look all too easy to open up this team.
Credit: @afcbournemouth
Kompany’s side continued to try and find a way back into the game but as the ball broke to Odobert out wide, he cut inside and shot from distance. The ball was never troubling The Cherries’ keeper, nor the goal, as it sailed into the stands.
The hosts won a free kick right on the edge of the box. Taylor struck it and it was brilliantly clawed out of the goal by Neto. It was the kind of save that can change the course of a game. Iraola was thankful his keeper had his wits about him for that one.
Although The Clarets were creating half chances, it was just their end product that was lacking. As another ball was whipped into the box, it found Vitinho, who headed over the crossbar. Whether it is a confidence issue or not, it underlined why Burnley were in the position they find themselves in.
Solanke had a good chance at the start of the second half to put the game beyond the hosts but Trafford reacted well to block the shot. Kluivert then found Semenyo with a sublime pass, he laid it off to Tavernier but he shot wide of the goal.
Burnley thought they had found their equaliser as Cullen diverted the ball into the back of the net. The referee immediately blew up for a foul as he felt Bruun Larsen was fouling his man at the back post as he won the header.
Semenyo was causing problems for The Clarets and as he found Solanke, he returned the favour but The Cherries’ winger put his shot wide of the far post. He was so close to putting the game to bed this late in the game. Moments later he had another chance from the left with the same outcome.
Finally, with minutes remaining Semenyo proved it was third time lucky as he picked the ball up out wide, cut inside onto his left foot and his shot took a deflection as it wrong-footed Trafford and ended up in the back of the net.
It was Bournemouth’s first win in seven games and was much needed to stop the rot. Kompany will be disappointed his side were not more clinical in front of goal, allowing the visitors to hold on to their slender lead when they were dominating the game.
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