Blackburn v AFCB - Highlights & Reaction

AFC Bournemouth were buoyed by the return of Jordan Zemura to the starting line-up, the left-back has proved to be an integral part of AFC Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker’s side and with him returning to fitness he was straight back into the starting line-up.

As was Philip Billing in an advanced role in midfield, supporting the wide players of Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Christie with Dominic Solanke up front.

Jefferson Lerma and Lewis Cook were the deeper midfield players, whilst Mark Travers remained in goal with Adam Smith returning to his more familiar right-back role with Nat Phillips and Lloyd Kelly as the centre-backs.

This was a crucial test in the chase for automatic promotion and the Cherries passed with flying colours.

After the match, Parker told Sky Sports…

“It was definitely a high-pressure game. That’s where you get to at this point at the season when you’re competing for what we’re competing for. I think first and foremost, the result was key. Performance really is secondary at this point of the season.

“We got a result and also a performance really. I thought the team executed everything we asked of them, were very solid, clean sheet, stood up to their challenges, what they possess. They are a good side. Then we were deadly in our moments, clinical in our moments, so it was pleasing.”

Man of the match against Blackburn

Billing

Solanke

Lerma

Travers

Christie

Dembele

Zemura

Kelly

L. Cook

Anthony

Smith

Someone else

"𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗜'𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."

The gaffer gives his verdict 🎤

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 30, 2022

Written by klaus_afcb

Really enjoyed that. The game seemed pretty open from the start and it only got better as the goals went in. Two great finishes from Billing and some lovely interchanges between him and Solanke. I thought we controlled the game pretty well overall.

Solanke almost with goal of the season too… I really don’t blame him for not laying it off but also very glad it didn’t come back to bite us!

Now let’s smash Forest and seal the title on Saturday. Up the chezzaaaaas! – Join the conversation, click here.

Into double figures for this man 🤩

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 30, 2022

"When you are a player you enjoy these moments"#AFCB midfielder Phillip Billing speaking to @kristemple🎙️🍒 pic.twitter.com/EMgrxyRlzX

— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) April 30, 2022

Your say…

Matt Stevenson wrote…

There were 7 chances rated as 1/6 or better – 1 to Blackburn and 6 to us.

The first was Billing’s free-kick which hit the wall, the second was our opener, Phillips brought the ball forward from the back and hit it long to Billing, who headed the ball into Solanke. A chest trap brought it into his path for a one-touch finish into the bottom right corner (35%). Seven minutes later Blackburn had their main chance. Brereton-Diaz beat the offside trap and fired against the post with Phillips closing in.

Based on the xG the game went dull for almost 30 minutes. before AFCB had two chances in succession, Zemura driving in from the left and shooting from a tight angle (1 in 5) and Lerma’s follow up (1 in 12) that was cleared off the line. 10 minutes later was the best chance of the match, Solanke chasing his on flick on, went past two defenders, but shot at a good height for the keeper when you envisage he would slot it in a corner. (56%) The goal came 3 minutes later and may count as a counter attack goal, the ball reached Dembele (on for Anthony) who went past Van Hecke, but was brought down with the ball running to Solanke, he bided his time, and pick out the run of Billing across the defenders who produced an unstoppable finish (44%). On 79 minutes it was all over, Solanke harassing the defender, the ball falling for Dembele, who nutmegged the defender with presumably a pass to Billing, who beat the keeper at the near post (1 in 4). That was the last effort of any probability in the game. Job done.