Bournemouth returned to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium, as goals from Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony saw a dominating 4-0 victory over Swansea City.
Bournemouth provided an excellent display to bounce back from the mid-week loss, as they fired four past an in-from Swansea City. Two doubles from Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony saw the hosts take all three points in a dominating fashion.
Swansea were the stronger of the two sides throughout the first 20 minutes. They showed from the outset they were comfortable on the ball and were not afraid to play out from the back. Taking 12 points from their last 15, they were displaying the ideas that were beginning to develop under new Head Coach Russel Martin.
Bournemouth were not able to retain the ball and gain a holding on the game, but eventually did so thanks to the high press. Early glimpses towards goal for the Cherries came as a result of mistakes from Swansea due to the tactic.
Pressuring from the front saw Swansea forced into going long, and this was exactly what Bournemouth would have hoped for. Now that this problem was caused for the visitors, Bournemouth were able to get control of the ball and look to play their own game.
After bringing themselves into the match, Bournemouth soon found the opener in the 27th minute. As seen all season, Phillip Billing’s run in behind the defence caused the goal. Met with a well weighted pass from Anthony, Billing is able to find an isolated Solanke in the middle for an easy finish.
It was a vital goal for the Cherries, as they now settled into the game and gained the necessary momentum to then dominate.
The remainder of the half saw an increase in aggression and hostility, with strong tackles and individual battles causing tension. Both teams involved themselves in a large scuffle which even saw Scott Parker get involved in an attempt to break it up.
“I forgot where I was and just wanted to protect everyone in that moment. Maybe silly of me but just wanted to separate everyone to make sure no one did anything stupid.”
“But I love that of us and every bit of us. The passion we showed today and standing up to the battle whilst not crossing that line.” Parker said after the match.
Bournemouth went into half-time feeling more comfortable but with the game far from over as Swansea had showed they were more than capable of making the hosts chase the ball and threaten.
Whatever was said at half-time, it was the perfect thing to say. Bournemouth were instantly out of the blocks and on the front foot. We have seen the Cherries restart in a slow manner on occasions, but not this time.
It took less then five minutes for the home side to double their lead. Leif Davis at the centre of the goal in what was only his second start this season. The left-back intercepts the ball, moves it, and receives it back as he drove down the left flank. With plenty of space, he is able to find Solanke who is again isolated in the box and is able to finish with an acrobatic half-volley.
A rocking Vitality Stadium and a now exceptional Bournemouth meant only that more goals were to come.
The Cherries continued with the very effective high press that we have seen become a vital element under Scott Parker. The tactic resulted in the third goal of the game in the 64th minute. Pouncing on a stray ball outside the Swansea penalty area, Ryan Christie drives into the penalty box and has go himself at goal. His saved shot is deflected towards Anthony who is waiting to head it home.
It took until the last minute of the game for Bournemouth to find the fourth, in what could have been the sixth or seventh. Bournemouth continued to completely dominate and silenced Swansea for the half, as they searched for goals to add to the tally. Swansea keeper Ben Hamer was forced into multiple good saves.
The fourth saw Anthony land his second of the game. Substitute Morgan Rogers’ persistence within the Swansea half to retain the ball saw him gain possession. Eventually having the ball in the box, Rogers laid off Anthony who calmly slotted the ball into the corner.
A shoutout must be given to Lewis Cook, who made his first appearance in 8 months since returning from a cruciate ligament injury. The midfielder almost came close during his minutes to mark his return with a goal at the back post, but it wasn’t meant to be.
“Really pleased for Lew to get some minutes. He is going to be vital for us this season and were going to be needing him so am pleased for him” Parker stated.
After a slow start, Leif Davis finished the game very strongly and with Parker very pleased with his performance. With little playing time in his loan spell so far, he impressed highly filling in at left-back in what was an area of concern before the game with Jordan Zemura out injured.
On the 21-year-olds performance, Parker expressed: “What pleased me most was that he started slow and grew into the game, and was an animal really.”
The game was exactly the bounce back Bournemouth needed, and better. Parker’s Bournemouth were aggressive, relentless in their press, and clinical when it mattered. The capacity to force Swansea into a long-ball game and silence their ability to play out from the back with a high press was pivotal.
The clinical finishing from Solanke was the difference as it allowed Bournemouth to settle and gain the necessary momentum, as Russel Martin would state in the post-match interview.
Speaking on the performance overall, the Cherries Head Coach said:
“We was brilliant overall. I loved everything about us today.
“I thought we struggled early on. Tactically they were causing us a little bit and we fixed that.
“Today what I asked of them was a big performance and we got that.”