AFC Bournemouth kicked off the 2021/22 domestic season with a League Cup first-round clash with MK Dons on Saturday.
It was also the first time new Cherries head coach Scott Parker took charge of a competitive game.
There was a long list of absentees for this game including suspended duo Jefferson Lerma and Chris Mepham, whilst Steve Cook, Lewis Cook, Arnaut Danjuma were injured and Ben Pearson was ill.
This gave opportunities to 20-year-old Zeno Ibsen Rossi at centre-back, 21-year-old Gavin Kilkenny in central midfield, 21-year-old Jaidon Anthony on the left-wing and with Asmir Begovic leaving for Everton, there was also a place for 22-year-old goalkeeper Mark Travers.
AFC Bournemouth were never really troubled by their lower league opponents and battered the visitor’s goal throughout the first half, eventually finding the breakthrough thanks to David Brooks.
During the second half the one-way traffic continued with goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, 19-year-old Christian Saydee, and a second for David Brooks.
"Five goals, a clean sheet, I thought some bits we played today were exceptional."
Scott Parker's assessment of today's performance π#afcb π
— AFC Bournemouth π (@afcbournemouth) July 31, 2021
AFC Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker told the Daily Echo after the game…
“Iβm really pleased overall. Elements of the game that I didnβt like, elements that we need to improve and get better at and then elements which I really liked and enjoyed us.
“I came into this game today probably knowing thatβs how I was going to see things a little bit.
“A 5-0 win, clean sheet, five goals. But I think overall, still a lot of elements we need to improve and get better at, certainly.
“Thatβs part and parcel of the process. I sit here a different voice to these players, a different manager and there are elements Iβm going to demand out of them.
“So thereβs elements we need to improve, but as quick as I say that, there was some very good stuff today as well.”
No mistake, @DomSolanke π₯ pic.twitter.com/aXdUnZbYKu
— AFC Bournemouth π (@afcbournemouth) July 31, 2021
Good display today π shout out to the youngsters as well, top draw ππ½ pic.twitter.com/FApP0JWI1s
— Philip Anyanwu (@BillingPhilip) July 31, 2021
Man of the Match against MK Dons?
Brooks
Anthony
Billing
Someone else
"The players love the way (Parker) wants to play"
Glowing praise for the new #afcb boss from @gavkilkenny10 π
The man-of the match spoke to @jordanclarkcouk after the emphatic 5-0 win over MK Dons ππ pic.twitter.com/MTLBDZqk2c
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) July 31, 2021
Crazy crazy day πππ https://t.co/DbClkWXNzo
— csaydee10 (@csaydee101) July 31, 2021
"It was a crazy experience"
A Bournemouth debut to remember for Christian Saydee who got himself on the score sheet in the 5-0 win over MK Dons ππ #afcb π pic.twitter.com/iWE6rDIZ9L
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) July 31, 2021
Your say…
northstandmark wrote…
Great Result! Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Take it with a pinch of salt, MK Dons keeper is comically poor. But there’s some talent in these young lads. They will need help for the rigours of the championship though.
Saydee had 20 mins on the pitch, scored 1 and created another, can’t ask for more than that.
Brooks is rusty as heck but ended up with a brace somehow. Hopefully, it helps.
Killkenny has a wonderful range of passing. Just get him in the gym.
Let’s hope Stacey is ok, and let’s get a couple of experienced heads in here. – Join the conversation, click here.