AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth played their way back into the Championship promotion race thanks to a convincing victory over high-flying Swansea City.
Arnaut Danjuma took centre stage, the Dutchman delivering a goal and two assists as the Cherries closed the gap on the top six to just two points.
The Cherries were handed the ideal start when Philip Billing netted a stunning opener after just nine minutes.
Billing posted his goal-of-the-season contender when he showed excellent technique to volley Danjuma’s cross past Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Although the Cherries were rocked when influential playmaker Junior Stanislas was replaced after sustaining an injury, they reached the break with a 2-0 advantage.
Danjuma was again involved as the hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, his well-taken corner reaping rewards.
Swansea defender Joel Latibeaudiere was credited with the final touch after Dominic Solanke had applied a glancing header to Danjuma’s venomous delivery.
And just for good measure, Danjuma completed the scoring late on with a finely-taken tenth goal of the season, his fourth in his past five games.
Jack Stacey was handed his first league start under Jonathan Woodgate as the Cherries head coach made four changes to his starting line-up.
Stacey replaced Adam Smith who was ruled out after taking a heavy blow to his ankle during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat by Barnsley.
Lloyd Kelly was absent due to a minor knock with Diego Rico drafted in at left-back. Billing and Jack Wilshere also started.
The Cherries had a scare early on when captain Steve Cook went to ground clutching his face following a corner but he was able to continue.
Billing fashioned the first shooting chance after Stanislas and Solanke had combined to work the ball to him but his effort was blocked.
However, the Denmark international drew first blood for the Cherries with a quite sublime goal after just nine minutes.
Teed up by Danjuma’s precise cross, Billing beat Woodman all ends up with an acrobatic volley from seven yards.
As the Cherries went in search of a quick second, Solanke’s effort following a sharp turn was blocked by Swansea defender Ryan Bennett.
Asmir Begovic raced off his line to beat Andre Ayew to a through ball before the Cherries eventually cleared the danger following a spell of pinball in their 18-yard box.
Cameron Carter-Vickers threw himself in front of Ryan Manning’s dangerous centre, the Cherries also defending well from the resultant corner.
A sweeping move from their own half almost paid dividends in the 32nd minute, only for Kyle Naughton to nick the ball off Solanke as he prepared to pull the trigger.
The hosts were dealt a blow when Stanislas succumbed to injury in the 38th minute, the playmaker replaced by Rodrigo Riquelme.
Danjuma’s fiercely-struck corner led to the Cherries doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time.
The Dutchman whipped his flag-kick into the danger zone and Solanke’s glancing header struck Swansea defender Latibeaudiere before nestling in the back of the net.
A top-drawer save from Woodman prevented the Cherries extending their lead ten minutes into the second half.
The former England under-21 goalkeeper clawed Carter-Vickers’s bullet header out of the top corner after the defender had met Danjuma’s free-kick.
Matt Grimes dragged his shot wide of the target as the visitors looked to halve the deficit before Connor Roberts avoided punishment after catching Rico in the face with a flailing elbow.
Begovic pulled off a fine save to push Morgan Whittaker’s blistering drive from 25 yards around the post midway through the second half.
Stacey’s probing run and cross eventually led to the ball falling invitingly for Lerma on the edge of the box, only for the midfielder to fire wide.
Connor Hourihane’s free-kick was charged down by the Cherries wall before Begovic again thwarted Whittaker, the goalkeeper parrying his effort from close range.
Stacey’s strike from the edge of the box was deflected past the post before Danjuma deservedly rounded off the scoring three minutes from time.
The 24-year-old drilled an unstoppable left-foot shot past Woodman from a tight angle after being found by Billing’s fine assist.
AFC Bournemouth: Begovic, Stacey, Carter-Vickers, S Cook, Rico, Stanislas (Riquelme, 38), Wilshere (Pearson, 71), Lerma, Billing, Solanke, Danjuma (Mepham, 90).
Unused subs: Long, Surridge, Kilkenny, Anthony, Zemura, Travers (g/k).
Booked: Rico.
Swansea City: Woodman, Naughton, Bennett, Latibeaudiere (Whittaker, h-t), Roberts, Smith (Dhanda, 68), Grimes, Manning, Hourihane (Routledge, 80), Lowe, Ayew.
Unused subs: Fulton, Bidwell, Cooper, Freeman, Cabango, Hamer (g/k).
Referee: James Linington.
