AFC Bournemouth kicked off the new 2018/19 Premier League campaign with a victory over Cardiff City at Dean Court.
It was the first time the Cherries have won an opening day fixture since promotion to the top flight of English football, coming at the fourth attempt.
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe named the same starting XI that defeated Marseille in the final game of pre-season, the surprise selection saw David Brooks selected for his debut whilst England international Lewis Cook remained on the bench.
The Cherries started brightly and it was no surprise when AFC Bournemouth took the lead when Callum Wilson set up Ryan Fraser to score the opener.
💥 YEEESSSSS!!! FRASER!!! 💥 pic.twitter.com/PhjDB7zRXl
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 11, 2018
Callum Wilson then had a chance to double the lead before halftime, but his penalty was well saved by Cardiff’s goalkeeper.
Great to make my Premier League debut. Not the result we wanted, a lot of things to work on and a lot of positives to take out of the game. Thank you to all the travelling supporters #cardiff #bluebirds 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CxMxmg9JTW
— Neil Etheridge (@Neil38Etheridge) August 11, 2018
Cardiff, promoted from the Championship last season, offered little in truth, they enjoyed a 25-minute spell during the second half, but their lack of clinical finishing in attack will be highlighted throughout the season no doubt.
As they pushed on for an equaliser the game became more stretched and AFC Bournemouth started to have chances that would put the game beyond doubt, most notably when Ryan Fraser’s good work down the left saw a thundered cross across goal, David Brooks got his head to it, but could not direct it due to the pace of the cross.
A second did come when substitute Simon Francis’ good work down the right saw a cross pick out Callum Wilson for the striker to net his first of the season.
YEEESSS CALLUM!!! 😀 pic.twitter.com/F8XAeZwM9U
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 11, 2018
Howe told afcb.co.uk…
“I was very pleased with today’s performance, it was a tough game and I have a lot of respect for Cardiff because they gave everything.
“It was a really competitive game and I thought that we controlled the first half without opening them up as much as we wanted to. In the end, two moments of quality won us the game.
“As much as we’re happy today, we have to remain level-headed. We want to grow stronger over the course of the season.
FULL-TIME Bournemouth 2-0 Cardiff
Goals in each half from Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson get Bournemouth off to a winning #PL start against promoted Cardiff#BOUCAR pic.twitter.com/boDCHXQm2X
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 11, 2018
Your say…
billythekid wrote…
Good 3 points, if the penalty had gone in we would be top tonight instead of second.
Flowing move for our goal that Ryan Fraser put away, also he had his usual time of being brought down, real dangerous player for us.
Second half we were under a bit of pressure but I never thought Cardiff were going to hurt us.
Then in the closing minutes, Callum Wilson put the game to bed with his goal.
After three opening defeats in our previous seasons in this league, this was a welcoming win.
The usual low crowd for August of 10,353. – Join the conversation, click here.
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