AFC Bournemouth’s development squad put in a five-star display as they overcame Colchester United with a comfortable 5-0 victory.

Doubles for Balraj Landa and Dom Sadi after Daniel Adu-Adjei’s first-half opener sent Alan Connell’s men to their 11^th Professional Development League win of the campaign.

There was also a welcome return for midfielder Tyler Adams on his comeback from injury, having trained with Connell’s side a day previously.

The result moved the Cherries within four points of league leaders Queens Park Rangers.

The hosts started the game brightly, with Michael Dacosta Gonzalez’s free-kick cannoning into the wall after a foul on Adams.

Dacosta Gonzalez then worked Colchester goalkeeper Ted Collins, who dived to his right to keep out the forward’s low drive.

The Cherries opened the scoring on 18 minutes through Adu-Adjei. His deflected effort looped into the net following a neat reverse pass from Sadi.

Landa then added a second just before the interval. After an intense press from the hosts, he intercepted a loose pass and steered the ball in from 25 yards out.

The forward then struck again five minutes after the interval with a moment of class.

Having worked his way into the box, Landa’s stylish turn committed both Colchester keeper Collins and a defender into sliding the wrong way before tucking home at the near post.

Another high press allowed Cherries to add their fourth 20 minutes from time, Sadi applied a neat finish into the bottom corner.

The midfielder then showed slick footwork from inside the box to cap his second of the game and send the Cherries to a convincing success.

AFC Bournemouth: Allan, Tonks, Holman (Okoh), Brown, Kinsey, Harris, Sadi, Adams (Williams), Adu-Adjei (Stuttle), Dacosta Gonzalez (Osborne), Landa.

Unused sub: Crisp (g/k).