Gary O’Neill’s return to the South Coast sees his Wolves team head back home with all three points. A game of two halves sees Wolves trail by one goal to nil in the first half, meanwhile in the second half Wolves are quick to respond and get the game back on its feet and all square. Persistence, gifts by Bournemouth, goals by Cunha, Kalajdzic and a man-of-the-match performance from Tommy Doyle see us prevail late on at the Vitality Stadium.
Jose Sa – 6
Nothing which he could have done for Bournemouth’s goal, all the other shots that he faced turned out to be weak or central shots by the Cherries, routine saves for the Portuguese shot-stopper. A quiet game for Jose Sa which equates to a good thing as he wasn’t tested or didn’t commit any mistakes.
Matt Doherty – 6.5
Not a bad performance from the Irishman as he filled in for the suspended Nelson Semedo. He picked up a few fouls, managed to get the ball in dangerous positions and always pushed himself forward, all this even though he picked up a strain in his groin the day prior to the game. Our game vs Newcastle will probably see Semedo slot back into the right-back position but a solid performance from Doherty, nonetheless.
Max Kilman – 6.5
Not bad not great, didn’t set the world on fire, and he did his duty although he did pick up a yellow card at the end of the first half as he took down one of the Bournemouth players with a late tackle. Played a few passes over the top of the Bournemouth defence like his counterparts.
Craig Dawson – 7.5
A very solid game from Dawson, the standout from that back three. Did all the basics well, and passed the ball well across the field and over the top of the Cherries’ defence, probably one of their biggest weaknesses. Was found in no man’s land for Solanke’s goal but managed to mark him well out of the game to relieve the pressure from Sa’s goal.
Toti Gomes – 5.5
Wasn’t able to repeat the feats of the two previous games he started in and was partially at fault along with Ait-Nuori for the Cherries’ goal as they scored with too much ease and too much space left in behind. Made some good passes but ultimately the change in formation and substitution was the right call as Wolves were chasing a goal and out of the back three, he was the obvious choice to leave the playing field.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7
A clear lack of understanding between him and Toti in the first half as the shape of the defence didn’t look exactly right or at least one flank didn’t match the other and the goal showed exactly that as the whole left flank was left empty for Billing to cross the ball to Solanke. Nonetheless, he did what he does best pushing forward and that could be seen in the second half when he linked up well with Cunha and Neto in what could have led to a goal if Neto found his footwork.
Boubacar Traore – 6.5
Filled in for the suspended Mario Lemina in midfield and made his first premier league start for the season. It wasn’t a repeat of his Man City cameo but that was always going to be hard to come. He managed to put his foot in and intercept a few times to break up the play of Bournemouth, nothing memorable as he also picked up a booking but can’t complain too much.
Joao Gomes – 5
It wasn’t his day; he wasn’t able to get into the game and impose his play. Maybe because of the similar characteristics he has with Traore or the fact he wasn’t playing with his usual midfield partner Mario Lemina. Although not expected at first the game did need changing so the substitution at halftime was the right call, one thing for sure is the fact he will be working hard to improve and keep his place at the midfield position as it has many takers.
Pedro Neto – 8
An electric performance from the Portuguese winger that could or maybe should have seen him end up on the scoresheet. Constantly brought the team forward with his direct runs and always brought threat, an example is his run in the fifth minute of the game where he cut back on the inside right on the edge of the box and his shot struck the woodwork. He did manage to grab himself an assist though when he passed the ball to Cunha on the edge of the box.
Matheus Cunha – 7
Not a great game or at least the first half as I would have had him substituted. Lucky that I am not the gaffer as he produced a great strike on the edge of the box to get us tied and change the momentum of the game. Dropped deep and brought the ball upfield on various occasions but his performance wasn’t impeccable if you leave the goal aside.
Hwang Hee-Chan –7 .5
A constant battle for Hwang, showed fight throughout the game getting in good positions and cutting the ball back on various occasions as he would attack the opposition box. Played a key part in the sending off of the Bournemouth player as he was hacked down and he certainly wasn’t happy. His game was topped off as he got the assist for Kalajdzic’s winner.
Subs
Tommy Doyle – 9
Man of the match performance from Tommy Doyle. Gary O’Neill hit the jackpot with this substitution, the momentum of the game completely changed and it is no coincidence he was involved in the build-up to our equalizer in the 47th minute via Matheus Cunha. Sitting in front of the defence the young Englishman could constantly play great passes to find our forwards in space.
Pablo Sarabia – 6
Wasn’t really involved in the game, didn’t have many touches, pressed the Bournemouth players in added time to obstruct their play, and also picked up a yellow card after a confrontation with Max Aarons.
Sasa Kalajdzic– 8
Ten minutes and one chance are all it takes for him to leave his mark and bring all the three points home. After a shocking pass by the Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, Billing loses possession right in front of his goal and after a quick turnaround a pass by Hwang finds Kalajdzic in front of goal and he makes no mistake.