AFC Bournemouth break club record with ‘professional’ performance

AFC Bournemouth used the home of Reading FC to break a 60-year club record, as they beat the Royals 2-0 courtesy of goals from Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe.

Previously held by Bill McGarry’s team in the 1961-62 campaign, Scott Parker’s side hit the achievement in last night’s victory in very fine fashion. The record now stands at 15 games unbeaten to kick off a league season.

As expected, it was not going to be an easy sailing away trip (it never is in the Championship). Bournemouth were forced to weather some early pressure in the first 20 minutes, as the home side looked to get on the front foot.

They made it difficult for Bournemouth to control the ball and start activating their intricate patterns of play. There were signs of a high press from Veljko Paunovic’s side as they looked to force a mistake from the Cherries.

Reading certainly had the best of the chances during the half, with efforts from Josh Lauren and George Puscas causing concern for Mark Travers.

However, Bournemouth were not flustered and continued to look to bring the game under their domain. Having sustained the early pressure and allowed Reading to burn some valuable energy, Parker’s side began to realise control.

Their chances were very few, but they now had the tempo of the game under their grasp. Reading were now forced to drop their backline in comparison to the earlier high press.

Despite conceding the highest number of shots per game in the league this season (15.9), Reading were organised in defence and did not allow the Cherries to simply play through them. As a result, it was a corner that would force the breakthrough as Bournemouth were forced to be creative in order to score a goal.

Earlier set-pieces in the game showed that the squad had certainly been practising the dead ball aspect of the game on the training ground. This corner right on the stroke of half-time proved exactly why creativity at set-pieces is valuable.

Working methodically, Jaidon Anthony lifted the ball from the left-hand side to the back post. Gary Cahill is seen straight away, as soon as Anthony runs up to the ball, spinning off the shoulder of the defender and positioning himself in the vacant space at the back-post. In the same frame shot, you also see Solanke simply do a 180 degree turn as he knows where the ball will be coming next. As if it was mannequins on the training pitch, Cahill calmly headed the corner across the six-yard box to give Solanke an easy header.

It was a sign of Bournemouth’s versatility and clinical finishing, having been forced to explore different avenues to score against a frustrating defence. It was their first opportunity on target, and a crucial one as they had the lead going into half-time.  

The second half would begin in Bournemouth’s control and would also end so. Reading again started with intent, but there was no real threat on the away side’s backline.

But another goal was needed, and Bournemouth continued their game to ensure they were able to land the second. Fresh off the bench, Jamal Lowe had barely been on the pitch five minutes when his second touch of the game was to set him up for a very elegant finish.

Assisted by Phillip Billing in the 59^th minute, Lowe expertly finessed the ball into the bottom right corner and gave Bournemouth the cushion they were needing.

The Cherries now looked to manage the game. The fitness levels of Parker’s side were clearly superior to that of Reading’s, and it allowed Bournemouth to allow the home side the ball. Assured and organised in their structure and defence, the Cherries did not mind for Reading to control possession in the second half as they simply dealt with the threats that came to them.

Travers was called upon in the dying embers of the game, pulling off a really strong save from Scott Dann’s header. The centre half could not do more with the chance, and it was down to some really good goalkeeping that meant Bournemouth had now racked up over 11 hours away from home and not concede a goal. A remarkable achievement.

It must be said that it was not the most aesthetic game of football. But it was a game won in such a manner that proved why they are yet to beaten in the league.

Despite being on the backfoot initially, Bournemouth took back control quickly. They were very clinical in front of goal. The first two shots on target they had, they scored. In what was a frustrating first half at times, the versatility of the Cherries became evident through the first goal. They proved their ability to score goals across various avenues in times of difficulty. The defence was impeccable in defending their box, especially when Reading looked to increase the pressure going into the last 20 minutes of the game. It almost looked like Cahill and Lloyd Kelly were enjoying defending their penalty area.

We have seen through different occasions that their ability to manage games has developed as the season has gone on. Last night was another showcase how this side has developed over the season thus far. This can partially be explained by how Parker has also developed his own skills; bravey in using his squad depth at important moments.

Half-time saw Ben Pearson come on for a yellow carded Gavin Kilkenny. Considering what Bournemouth had experienced at the start of the game, the last thing they needed was to go to 10 men at only 1-0. This was the Irishman’s third yellow in three games, explaining why Parker felt it necessary to take off the midfielder despite having a decent half.

At only 1-0, Parker knew he needed another goal. It was a brave decision to use his second substitute only 10 minutes into the second half bringing on Lowe for Anthony, but the extra energy and pace in attack was exactly what Bournemouth needed on the break. Four minutes later, it proved to be a stroke of genius from Parker.

Then on came Chris Mepham. Mepham has been unlucky of late to not be involved in the starting XI, but his constant featuring off the bench shows Parker knows his value as a top-class defender. Coming on for the last 20 after Jordan Zemura had picked up a slight knock, it showed that Parker did not mind defending their lead, rather then look for the third. At all times going into the latter of the game, the team was organised, relentless in their off the ball work, and assured in their defending. They trusted themselves to defend, and that is what they did.

Parker described it as a ‘professional performance’ in the post-match interviews, and he is spot on. Professional in conducting themselves during and after the early pressure. Professional in using their trained routines to open other paths to score. Professional from the coaching team in the decisions they made. Then professional in managing the game.

A very fitting way to break the 60-year club record, as the Cherries continue to lead the EFL Championship in a very dominating fashion.