AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was pleased with the impact made by his two substitutions against Stoke City on Saturday.
Howe was forced into an early change at Dean Court on Saturday, when central defender Steve Cook was forced off through injury.
Young defender Jack Simpson was the obvious like for like change, but Howe instead opted to bring on a striker, switching from a 3-4-3 formation to a 4-4-2 system.
King took his time to grow into the game, but received a clear confidence boost when he slotted home past Jack Butland to score his first goal since November.
Josh King has now scored 25 #PL goals for the Cherries – 7 more than any other @afcbournemouth player in the competition pic.twitter.com/qL3wQNqn2F
? Premier League (@premierleague) February 3, 2018
Howe’s second change, Lys Mousset, went on to score the winner, netting his first Premier League goal in 23 top flight appearances (4 starts).
It wasn`t pretty but got the result in the end! Congrats @lys_mdy on your first prem goal 🤙🏻 pic.twitter.com/9zebWaWFgN
? Callum Wilson (@CallumWilson) February 3, 2018
Over the moon for this guy… lys_mdy 🙏 great win for the team, and delighted to assist the? https://t.co/WNXLTXJXdY
? Jordon Ibe (@IbeJordon) February 3, 2018
Howe told Sky Sports…
‘I’m pleased for both players. It shows the quality of the squad in that two players who don’t start the game come on and impact for us,’
‘Josh is such a big player for us, he had such a good season last year and I think that goal will do him the world of good.
‘Lys has been waiting for his first Premier League goal. He is such a talented player and he can do very special things on the football pitch. I’m delighted he’s got off the mark for us.’
Your Say…
AFCBade wrote…
Shame Eddie`s substitutions are always awful as some seem to suggest….couldn`t make it up! – Join the conversation here.
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