AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes the performance and result against Premier League champions Chelsea was the best he’s seen from his side.
Ahead of kick off news that Adam Smith had suffered an injury that could keep him out for several games would have been an immediate concern for the travelling Cherries supporters.
Howe named a 3-4-3 formation with a back three of Simon Francis, Nathan Ake and Steve Cook, with Ryan Fraser and Charlie Daniels acting as wingbacks.
The midfield partnership of Lewis Cook and Dan Gosling continued to keep their place in the side ahead of Andrew Surman and Harry Arter, whilst Callum Wilson spearheaded an attack alongside Junior Stanislas and Jordon Ibe.
One. Two. Three.
It’s a good day to be a Cherry 🍒 #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/9L9kbc3I32
? Premier League (@premierleague) January 31, 2018
Whilst Chelsea had the better chances in front of goal during the first half, AFC Bournemouth had performed well and it wasn’t a surprise when Ibe and Wilson combined to open the scoring.
Wilson and Stanislas later combined for the second, before a Stanislas effort was steered in by Nathan Ake to complete a 3-0 rout by the away side at Stamford Bridge.
Howe told Sky Sports…
‘Right now, I think it feels the best. I think it is our best result and performance, I think if you get the performance but not the result, there’s always a bit of a gloss taken off for me but today, I think we got both and that’s even more satisfying.
‘I think we’ve produced what we wanted to produce [against Chelsea]. It was a really good performance, a hard-working, disciplined display from the players with a lot of quality as well.
‘The goals we scored were excellent and a fitting reward for all the effort the players have put in.
‘I was pleased with our first-half performance. To keep their attacking players quiet is very difficult, they’ve got very good individuals so I thought we did that very well in the first half, then we got our goals and our reward in the second. I thought it was a performance built on hard work and discipline.’
We’ve now beaten the reigning @premierleague champions in each of our three top flight seasons… 💪#CHEBOU | #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/YhEafDeQL6
? AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 31, 2018
Amazing night for everyone involved! Huge 3 points! 🍒⚽️👍🏻
Thanks to all Blues supporters for the great reception. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/CP5pHJVAow
? Asmir Begovic (@asmir1) February 1, 2018
Your Say…
GARYafCb wrote…
I`ve been watching Bournemouth for a frighteningly long time.
There have been great highlights along the way – but I just watched us beat the reigning Premier League champions 3-0 in their own ground with relative ease.
Has to be the best ever result for our club.
Truly astonishing. What a night! – Join the conversation here.
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