AFC Bournemouth returned to the south coast for the 100th top-flight game to be played at Dean Court. The visitors were former Premier League champions Leicester City, in the stands for the very first time was American business Bill Foley, who is hoping to wrap up his takeover of the Cherries over the forthcoming weeks.
AFC Bournemouth interim head coach Gary O’Neil was happy to prove that he is versatile in both his approach to a game and his selection. Out went a flat back four and in came a back three with wingbacks. Out went Keiffer Moore, in favour of Ryan Christie with Dominic Solanke returning to the number 9 role.
With the continued absence of Cherries captain Lloyd Kelly, Adam Smith continued to deputise, not only with the armband but on this occasion swapping his usual right-back role for the left side of a central defensive trio alongside Chris Mepham and Marcos Senesi. Ryan Fredericks and Marcus Tavernier fulfilled the wingback roles. Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing continued in midfield.
After the game, O’Neil told Sky Sports…
“I think the boys believe. I don’t think you can come back from two down at Nottingham Forest and 1-0 down to Leicester if you don’t believe. You need to be sensible as newly-promoted team. We were slightly less sensible in the second half and it went our way.”
"๐๐๐๐ฎ'๐ง๐ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐๐."
Gary O'Neil's post-match review ๐๐
— AFC Bournemouth ๐ (@afcbournemouth) October 8, 2022
Man of the match against Leicester City
Billing
Christie
Solanke
Tavernier
Senesi
Someone else
billythekid wrote…
Just got in from the game and the old cliche it was a game of two halves.
In the first half after the breakaway on goal by Ryan Christie, I thought he might shoot and score, but he took one move inside and the chance was gone.
As the game went on after that I thought Leicester City were finding their players better than us and were dominating the play, which then they took the lead.
My mind went back to last week and the Brentford game only this time we were behind and on the first half showing wasnโt looking like we were going to score.
Come the second half and our team were a different animal and put more pressure on the Foxes defence and had a number of corners, which eventually led to our equaliser scored by Philip Billing who smashed the ball into the net.
Then four minutes later came the winner which was provided by a knockdown by Dominic Solanke for Ryan Christie to score the winner.
The fans went home โhappy bunniesโ seeing the first home win since Gary OโNeil was put in temporary charge and are in 8th position with 12 points.
Good start with Bill Foley in attendance.
๐ฃ๏ธ "The boys believe."
Bournemouth are up to eighth! Will they stay up?#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/uD5jkO5ffN
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 8, 2022
We keep on going โค๏ธ
— AFC Bournemouth ๐ (@afcbournemouth) October 8, 2022
AFCB_Liam added…
Superb 2nd half in terms of control and defence, and a bit of attacking intent makes all the difference.
That 2nd half needs to be a blueprint going forward for games at home, we have the firepower to hurt teams like Leicester, so should take a few more risks.
Was actually getting frustrated at the lack of changes and was thinking we needed to take Billing and Christie off. Shows what I know…
Great result and performance from the boys today, buzzing to be back helping the lads ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/pZdSDDPH56
— Ryan Fredericks (@RyanFredericks_) October 8, 2022
table said…
Well, I really enjoyed that, to me, it was almost typical of what we’ve seen since the start of the “Eddie era” started back in the Minus 17 season. Players playing their best as a part of a team, making the team superior to the opposition. I hope I never get bored of watching it and a “comeback win” always feels great : )
All of our players have their limitations but I don’t really give much of a toss about it. It’s what they do as a whole that wins a match or loses it, not single mistakes or flashes of brilliance : )
Ryan Christie must be a nightmare to play against, he just keeps going. reminds me of the Chumbawamba song Tub thumping, ” He gets knocked down, he gets up again. You ain’t never gonna keep him down”. Love his positive effervescence : )
Phil Bill needs to be on the pitch, just because he can do what he did today at some time, anytime during a match. He’s the football definition of mercurial and frustrating : )
Great atmosphere, at times, today. The Good Lady especially liked the “How poo must you be? We’re winning at home” : )
She did get some odd looks, and polite smiles, when asked ( pre-season) about our chances this season and she replied ” I reckon we’ve got a stronger squad this time, compared to our first Premier League promotion” ( I’ve deleted all the swear words and her drawing a drag on her Woodbine). Seems she knows more than Super Squatty parker : )
Good team reaction to get 3 points at home and keep moving forward ๐ช๐ฝ๐ pic.twitter.com/CW6jNPLyli
— Marcos Senesi (@senesimarcos) October 8, 2022
Merleyfan said…
Smudge and Jeff did a job on Maddison today. GN commented afterwards that that was why Smith played on the left. Maddison kept looking for space without finding much and became more and more frustrated as the game went on. Fair play to the ref who told him to get on with it early doors after Smith let him know he was there twice. Well thought out by GN and well played by the pair of them doing the job they were asked to.
note to self: look back at the lino before jumping in the crowd๐
Big win though and great character shown again! We move๐ pic.twitter.com/BlydWP4bZS— Jaidon Anthony (@JaidonnA11) October 8, 2022
SlowDownDerek added…
I think it’s an extremely clear penalty let alone not a booking. What possible reason is there for not giving it? – Join the conversation, click here.
