Burnley 3-2 Bournemouth

Burnley 3-2 Bournemouth

Home team scorers
Jeff Hendrick 13
Stephen Ward 16
George Boyd 75

Away team scorers
Benik Afobe 45 +1:13
Charlie Daniels 90 +0:30

Historic highs tend to be followed by anti-climaxes, and, even if this rivalled Bournemouth’s 4-3 win over Liverpool for drama, the outcome was rather too deflating for their liking. After what was described as the greatest result in their 117-year existence came a scoreline that will inspire fewer superlatives in Dorset. While Jeff Hendrick’s magnificent goal ensured it was a memorable occasion for Burnley, Eddie Howe’s return to Turf Moor was an unhappy affair. His successor, Sean Dyche, could celebrate a much-needed win after three consecutive defeats.

Yet it began very differently. Bournemouth showed speed of foot and thought alike in a bright start. Dan Gosling twice came close in the first 10 minutes, a sign of their positivity, yet they soon trailed courtesy of two contrasting goals from two Ireland internationals, Hendrick and Stephen Ward. After Nathan Ake headed Heaton’s kick away, Matt Lowton fed the ball forward. Jeff Hendrick took one touch to control the ball; his second was a stunning, dipping half-volley that flew past Artur Boruc.

Burnley’s first goal was fantastic, their second altogether more prosaic. Ben Mee met Steven Defour’s corner with a firm header. Boruc clawed it off his line but Ward was left with a tap-in for his first top-flight goal for 1,804 days. Burnley’s aerial threat was apparent again when Michael Keane drew a fine save from Boruc with a header.

Bournemouth were muted, so much so that it took them a further 20 minutes to mount a meaningful response. Then the returning Tom Heaton tipped Adam Smith’s free kick over the bar. The goalkeeper has made most saves in the division this season, but was beaten on the stroke of half-time. Afobe slotted a shot past him from the penalty spot, converting Simon Francis’ cross after a weaving run from Ryan Fraser.

The Scot had been rewarded with a start for his catalytic cameo against Liverpool, while Jack Wilshere was rested. He had offered early indications of an intention to carry on where he left off six days earlier with another mesmeric dribble. That also resulted in a chance for Afobe, who was then denied by Heaton, but the £10 million striker later turned his belated first league start of the season into a productive affair. His goal was a contentious one, with Burnley wondering why Martin Atkinson had not blown for half-time.

Bournemouth had illustrated their powers of recovery by coming from 2-0 down to defeat Liverpool. Perhaps wary of a sequel, Sean Dyche decided attack was the best form of defence and introduced two strikers. One of them, Ashley Barnes, almost scored with his first touch, volleying just over the bar, and later spurned a better chance. The other, Andre Gray, proved profligate when he could also have secured victory. If the finishing touch deserted him, Gray was more adept as a creator, backheeling the ball into George Boyd’s path for the winger to drill in Burnley’s third goal.

Still the drama continued. Charlie Daniels gave Bournemouth late hope with a thunderous finish but they ran out of time to effect another great comeback.

Guardian