The week in... April 2015

In just their fifth ever season in the second tier, AFC Bournemouth had consistently suggested throughout the campaign that they could do the unthinkable and add a third promotion in half a decade, this one to the very highest division.

A five-match winless run in February had dropped the side to fifth, but no losses would follow in the next ten games and with just a trio of fixtures remaining fate was in the Cherries’ hands.

Cherries news and matches

Saturday 18th April – AFC Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday

The Cherries remained second but missed out on top spot after Chris Maguire’s last-gasp penalty ended a pulsating match with both sides earning a point.

Wednesday had taken the lead, but goals from Yann Kermorgant and Matt Ritchie, the latter coming after Simon Francis had been dismissed, seemed to be sending the hosts to the summit before Adam Smith fouled Atdhe Nuhiu and gave Wednesday their chance from the spot in the 95th minute.

Despite the disappointment, with a far superior goal difference, Eddie Howe knew his side were near certainties to go up if they could win their final two matches.

Monday 27th April AFC Bournemouth 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

With a weekend to sit back and take in competitors’ results before heading into action, the Cherries had seen Watford seal promotion while Middlesbrough’s stumble meant that three points against Bolton would essentially book Bournemouth’s ticket to the Premier League.

An electric start yielded no goals, then before half time Marc Pugh set the home side on their way, and it was party time soon after when Matt Ritchie’s second put Bournemouth within touching distance. Callum Wilson added a third before the end and soon players, supporters and even the chairman embraced on the pitch in wild celebrations.

Going forwards…

Promotion may have been all-but secured, but it was mathematically confirmed five days later after another unforgettable occasion, this time in the capital.

Matt Ritchie and Harry Arter settled nerves that weren’t there for long with two goals inside the first 12 minutes, and Ritchie’s second five minutes from time – his 15th of the campaign – rubber stamped the team’s departure from the Championship on a winning note, though further drama was about to unfold.

Around the M25, title rivals Watford appeared set to lift the Championship trophy, leading Sheffield Wednesday thanks to Matej Vydra’s first-half goal, but Atdhe Nuhiu won himself a place forever in Cherries history as his late goal wrestled the win and the silverware from the Hornets’ grasp.

AFC Bournemouth weren’t just going up, they were champions!

The week in football…

In Germany, Bayern Munich wrapped up their 25th Bundesliga title the day before Bolton came to town, while Celtic and Chelsea would win their domestic leagues in the week that followed.

The Blues, under manager Jose Mourinho, won their fifth Premier League title with three games to spare after a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace sealed the silverware, Eden Hazard’s goal the difference just before half time. Mourinho and Hazard would sweep up the managerial and player awards that season.

At the other end of the table, Hull City Burnley and QPR were soon to be relegated, Aston Villa and Sunderland finishing in the two places above the drop zone.

The week in news…

As the open-top bus was prepared in Dorset, the final canvasing in the lead-up to the general election was taking place across the UK. David Cameron and the Conservatives unexpectedly winning an outright majority, defeating Ed Miliband and Labour and claiming 330 seats.

That weekend Eliud Kipchoge and Tigist Tufa won the London marathon, Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao on points in the highest-grossing boxing match of all time, while the following Sunday Stuart Bingham upset the odds to win his first World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield.