Bournemouth crush doomed Boro and move closer to safety
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/04/2017 at 21:33 GMT
Premier League, Vitality Stadium – Bournemouth 4 (King 2, Afobe 17, Pugh 65, Daniels 70) Middlesbrough 0
Bournemouth's English midfielder Charlie Daniels (L) celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Middlesbrough at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on April 22, 20
Image credit: Getty Images
Bournemouth all but confirmed their place in next season’s top-flight with a crushing 4-0 victory over doomed 10-man Middlesbrough.
Having started the game in 16th position and on a winless streak of four games, the pressure was on the Cherries but they took it in their stride and raced into a two-goal lead with a little over 15 minutes played.
Josh King made the breakthrough after only 120 seconds with his 14th goal of the season and Benik Afobe doubled the advantage shortly after.
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Gaston Ramirez of Middlesbrough is shown a red card during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Middlesbrough at the Vitality Stadium on April 22
Image credit: Getty Images
Boro are the only team in the top five European leagues not to have won a league fixture in 2017 and their fortune never looked like changing at the Vitality Stadium. Their task at hand became almost impossible when Gaston Ramirez was foolishly sent off for two bookable offences midway through the first period and this was shortly followed by an injury to £12m signing Marten De Roon who was forced off.
To their credit, the Teessiders improved for a brief spell after the interval but normal service was soon resumed when Marc Pugh marked his 250th appearance for the club with a well taken goal on 65 minutes.
As the visitors crumbled, Bournemouth’s confidence only increased and they had a fourth goal to celebrate five minutes later when Charlie Daniels smashed in from 20 yards following a well-worked free-kick routine.
Substitute Lys Mousset missed a glorious opportunity to complete the rout but Eddie Howe will be pleased with a convincing victory that almost guarantees his side's safety as the Cherries move up to 12th place in the table with 38 points.
It looks much more precarious for Middlesbrough who remain 19th and Hull’s 2-0 win over Watford means they’re now nine points adrift of safety.
TALKING POINT
Ramirez costs Boro - With his side two-nil down after only 20 minutes, Gaston Ramirez pushed the self destruct button with the most ridiculous foul giving the referee no choice other than to produce a second yellow card. The first booking was utterly embarrassing as he threw himself dramatically to the floor in a bid to win a penalty, but the second was simply needless.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) - The 30-year-old produced a stunning performance on a landmark day. He was almost untouchable as he created the opener and then got on the score-sheet himself with a cracking solo goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Smith 7, Francis 8, S Cook, 7 Daniels 8, Fraser 8, Gosling 6, Arter 7, Pugh 9, King 8, Afobe 7. Subs: L Cook 5, Stanislas 5, Mousset N/A.
Middlesbrough: Guzan 5, Barragan 5, Chambers 5, Ayala 5, Gibson 5, Friend 5, Clayton 5, De Roon 5, Downing 5, Ramirez 3, Negredo 5. Subs: Fabio 5, Forshaw 5, Gestede 5.
KEY MOMENTS
2’ - GOAL - Bournemouth are ahead. Marc Pugh is given far too much space as he gets to the byline all too easily and squares a pass for King who is left with a simple tap-in and celebrates his 14th goal of the season.
13’ - YELLOW CARD: This is really embarrassing from Ramirez. The Boro playmaker is played through inside the penalty area but then throws himself to the ground, claiming he was fouled by Francis. The referee simply has no option to book the Uruguay international there. Pathetic.
17’ - GOAL - It's all too easy for Bournemouth as Afobe doubles the home side's advantage. Arter catches Boro in possession on the edge of their own penalty are, he plays through Afobe who slots the ball into the back of the net.
19’ - It should be THREE! Arter, again, nicks possession from the visitors deep inside their own half before playing through King who flashes a shot wide of the goal. Boro are all over the place.
20’ - RED CARD: Dear, oh dear Middlesbrough - Ramirez has been sent off and the visitors are down to 10 men. The Uruguayan is shown his marching orders for a ridiculous challenge on Pugh at Bournemouth's corner flag.
32’ – INJURY: De Roon limps off the pitch for some treatment and Fabio is preparing to come on. What a disastrous afternoon for the Teessiders.
65’ - GOAL - Pugh marks his 250th appearance for his club with a goal, and it's a cracking one too. Boro, again, concede possession needlessly in midfield, the ball is played to Pugh who cuts inside and curls the ball into the top corner.
70’ - GOAL - Daniels makes it four with a fine goal. It's taken short to the midfielder who dribbles past a challenge before smashing the ball past a helpless Guzan from 20 yards.
KEY STATS
- Middlesbrough have now conceded three or more goals in a single game for the sixth time this season.
- Joshua King has now scored eight Premier League goals in his last nine games.
- Bournemouth have yet to lose at home to Middlesbrough in a league fixture.
- They are the only team in the top five European leagues not to have won a league fixture in 2017.
- Boro have now gone 16 league matches without a win since Christmas, and their tally of six points during that period is the lowest in the division.
- Steve Agnew's side are also without an away win in 16 attempts - losing eight of the last `0 - since beating Sunderland on the second weekend of the season.
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