AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS WIGAN ATHLETIC

AFC Bournemouth bounced back to winning ways when they saw off a much fancied Wigan Athletic at Dean Court.

Wigan were visiting Dean Court, after playing in the Charity Shield against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium last Sunday.

The North Stand in full voice

The Cherries could have taken the lead in the first minute when Lewis Grabben through on goal had his effort saved by Wigan keeper Scott Carson.

The visitors dominated the early possession keeping the ball well without really creating too much of an opportunity.

The teams line up

Wigan’s best opportunity of the first half came when Ryan Allsop tipped over a long range shot from James McCarthy.

The Cherries improved as the half went on and broke the deadlock two minutes from half time, an awful back pass by James Perch was pounced on by Grabben who took the ball around the on rushing Carson and slotted the ball into the net to score his fourth goal of the season.

AFCB came out strong in the second half and had a great chance to double the lead when a clumsy challenge in the box by Jean Beausejour on Brett Pitman led to referee Graham Scott awarding a penalty.

Pitman returning to the starting line up after an injury picked up in pre season, stepped up to take the kick but  former England keeper Carson saved the penalty and the ball was cleared to safety.

Owen Coyle responded to the penalty save by making a double substitution, introducing wingers James Mcclean and Callum Mcmanaman.

Wigan keeper Scott Carson

Mcmanaman made an instant impression on the game when his two footed lunge on Pitman saw him sent off after just two minutes.

The decision led to ugly scenes with Coyle confronting a number of the Cherries players including veteran defender Ian Harte.

The sending off rattled Wigan and they seemed to lose their discipline and although they had a good amount of possession, they failed to really break down the Cherries.

The best chance of the second half for the visitors came from a corner when Marc Pugh cleared a Leon Barnett header off the line.

Pitman came close to making up for his penalty miss when he took a quick free kick, he tried to chip Carson but the Wigan keeper scrambled back to make a fantastic save.

All in all I think that the Cherries deserved the three points, Wigan only had two attempts on target and we defended very well.

Grabban has scored four goals in three games

The referee got the two big decisions correct; even though the penalty looked soft it would have been a foul anywhere else on the pitch so the penalty had to be given.

The sending off was clear cut despite what Owen Coyle may think, if you jump in with both feet off the floor nine times out of ten you will be sent off, it is the rules.

I was impressed with the defensive display and think the lads bounced back really well after the Watford game.

Hopefully we can get our first away victory against Huddersfield this Saturday.

Final Score: Cherries 1-0 Wigan

Attendance: 9,097

Essential Cherries Man of the Match: Simon Francis