Cherries run dented by Burnley loss
AFC Bournemouth
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- Roger East
AFC Bournemouth's unbeaten recent run came to an end as they were beaten at home by high-flying Burnley.
Having already hit the bar, Burnley's Chris Wood netted for the away side ahead of the break with a poacher's finish.
Into the second half and midfielder Robbie Brady made it two with a terrific 20-yard strike, before Joshua King pulled one back to set up a grandstand finale at Vitality.
However, despite late Bournemouth pressure the side were unable to force a leveller as their unbeaten run came to an end.
Eddie Howe - on the occasion of his 40th birthday - made just a single change again for the Cherries, reverting to the same line-up that had beaten Huddersfield in the last game at Vitality Stadium.
That meant Simon Francis returned to the side after suspension in place of Adam Smith.
There was an early scare for the hosts when the muscular Clarets delivered a set piece that ended with Wood seeing his looping header rebound back off the top of the crossbar.
A long range Jordon Ibe shot was blocked, while Ben Mee almost diverted a shot into Callum Wilson's path, the defender scurrying to make an important last-ditch challenge.
A powered King run found Ibe in space down the right, his low centre asked questions, but they were answered by the gathering Nick Pope in Burnley's goal.
The ball was moving quickly from end to end, Wood again causing danger in the air as he reached a cross, headed down, with Asmir Begovic alert and tipping the ball over.
The game beginning to settle 25 minutes in, Burnley broke rapidly through Wood, with Hendrick in support in the area the striker looked to square, but the resulting low shot was blocked crucially by Steve Cook.
On 37 minutes the Clarets did have the lead, Wood the scorer.
Robbie Brady pushed down the left flank and delivered a stinging low ball that deflected off Steve Cook and into the path of Wood, the New Zealand international converting from close range.
Looking to respond before the break, a corner was cleared as Harry Arter who, on his 250th Cherries appearance, fizzed in a low shot that Burnley bodies blocked away.
Kicking towards the Ted MacDougall Stand in the second period, the Cherries made a steady start as they looked to redress the scoreline.
With the organised away side continuing to stand up to the Bournemouth attack, Lewis Cook came on in place of Arter, Jermain Defoe soon also coming on for the trailing hosts.
Francis then headed Ibe's corner a yard wide, however with 25 minutes left it was Burnley who claimed the game's second goal.
After losing possession the Cherries were on the backfoot and a sliding ball found Brady in the D for the Clarets, he shuffled inside and bent a delicious finish past Begovic and into the top corner.
Ryan Fraser entered the fray as the Cherries added men to their attack, but Bournemouth balls were struggling to find their targets as the home pursuit for a goal entered the final 15 minutes.
The goal finally came for the Cherries and King was the man on the spot to grab it.
The three home strikers were involved: Wilson first chesting down a cross, allowing Defoe to get a shot away. Pope managed to parry the effort but only to King who picked up the scraps to convert from three yards.
Fraser drove wide as the attack became all out for Bournemouth, as the match entered five minutes of added-on time.
The home push continued to the end, but the resolute Burnley backline was not to be breached again as the away side saw out the game to win at Vitality Stadium.