AFC Bournemouth returned after the international break without Joshua King, the striker had joined up with the Norway squad, only to return to test positive to the Coronavirus. Cherries team-mates Adam Smith and Philip Billing were left out of the squad as a precaution.
AFC Bournemouth captain Steve Cook returned to the back four alongside Lloyd Kelly, before a half time switch saw him partner Chris Mepham, with Kelly at left-back.
AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall told the Sky Sports after the match…
“In the second half we came out and played with more intent, more purpose, more intensity and like a team that wanted to win the game and like a team that wanted to show everybody what they’re all about and wanted to go top of the league for a short period of time. We came out and delivered a performance which justified that in the second half.
“I don’t think it would be right to share what I said at half-time, but I certainly wasn’t happy with what I saw and I certainly wasn’t happy especially the way we started the game.
“It wasn’t a team that needed to win the game and it wasn’t a team that we wanted to show everybody that’s what we’re about. In the second half we came out and I think you see the true Bournemouth and you see a team that I’m proud to manage.”
Man of the match against Reading
L Cook
Solanke
Danjuma
Brooks
"We knew if we won we go above Reading who are top of the league, that is where we want to be."
Jason Tindall says Bournemouth showed who they really are in the second half. pic.twitter.com/XiRqwPySoE
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 21, 2020
🔺 Scoring his first goal
🔺 Weighing up the shot
🔺 Getting stick from teammatesHear from the man of the moment, @lewiscook_ 🔥🔥#afcb 🍒
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 21, 2020
Two goals for @DomSolanke 👏👏
He talked us through them after the game and couldn't stop smiling! 😁#afcb 🍒
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 21, 2020
Big saves today 🙌🏽 https://t.co/UwYkKYEoGI
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) November 21, 2020
Great comeback from the lads, first half nowhere near good enough but we’re getting that never say die attitude back! Enjoy the weekend 🍒💪🏼🙏🏽
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) November 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/lloydkelly4/status/1330188551045177349?s=20
Written by AlGard
Usual slow start.
Shockingly timid defending to give them a penalty.
Reading continued to find gaps when attacking.
A better mid half, but huff and puff with loads of guff.
Quality 2nd for Reading, slicing through the static gaps.
Half time genius from Jason Tindall.
David Brooks moves inside, and suddenly it’s a threatening side again.
Boom! Boom! Suddenly level with great goals.
Controlling from then on
Lewis Cook, if I have to wait another 4 years for one of your goals, I will, if it’s like that worldy.
Fabulous Asmir Begovic save on the line.
Clown Reading goalkeeping. “Deadly Dom’s Delicious Double.”
19 years of hurt continues for the broken biscuits.
We only need to turn up for the 2nd half to win games.
Strange isn’t it.
A real help yourself all you can eat Chinese Buffet of a game, which we didn’t start to the 2nd course. – Join the conversation, click here.
Your say…
billythekid wrote…
When they mention a game of two halves this one fits that bill.
All started with the substitution of Rico bringing Mepham on and switching Kelly to left-back.
Then Solanke scored a brace and really deserved his second goal with his determination to win the ball off their goalkeeper.
David Brooks defence-splitting pass to Danjuma who put it away well.
The icing on the cake was the superb goal from Lewis Cook after a pass from man of the match, David Brooks.
We have knocked Reading off the top of the perch and taken their place depending on later results. – Join the conversation, click here.
.@afcbournemouth leapfrog Reading to go top of the table in time for the 3pm kick-offs!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/EPOZUUi65y
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) November 21, 2020
TOP OF THE TABLE 🥶
— Arnaut Danjuma (@Danjuma) November 21, 2020
