AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth claimed a potentially-valuable point from an entertaining 0-0 draw with Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday.
The Cherries, in Gary O’Neil’s first game as interim head coach, deserved a share of the points for a display which was full of grit, determination and endeavour.
A glaring miss from Raul Jimenez and an heroic goal-line clearance from Cherries skipper Lloyd Kelly late on ensured an absorbing contest would end in stalemate.
O'Neil was joined in the dugout by former Cherries captains Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick, with home supporters showing their appreciation of the team's efforts following the final whistle.
Goalkeeper Neto was drafted in for his Premier League debut as interim head coach Gary O’Neil made four changes to the Cherries starting line-up.
The 33-year-old, who has played in the top flight in Brazil, Italy and Spain, joined the club from Barcelona and started in the Carabao Cup against Norwich.
Skipper Lloyd Kelly returned after missing the defeat at Liverpool through injury, while Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke, both on the bench at Anfield, started.
The Cherries’ defensive wall stood firm to block an effort from Pedro Neto after Joao Moutinho had rolled a free kick into his path.
Referee Anthony Taylor waved away claims for a penalty after Jordan Zemura had gone to ground under a challenge by Pedro Neto.
Matheus Nunes went close to breaking the deadlock when his strike from just inside the 18-yard box skimmed the crossbar after Pedro Neto had headed Moutinho’s cross back to him.
Cherries goalkeeper Neto helped a header from Raul Jimenez over the crossbar before Pedro Neto’s thunderous drive flashed past the upright.
Wolves defender Max Kilman did well to prevent Solanke from fastening on to Jefferson Lerma’s pass, the Cherries striker then almost connecting with a cross from Zemura.
Chris Mepham closed down Jimenez as he prepared to take aim, the Mexican then heading over the crossbar following a Pedro Neto corner.
A counter attack started by Billing ended with Wolves clearing the danger after Ryan Christie had attempted to try his luck from a tight angle.
Marcus Tavernier’s timely tackle prevented Neves from pulling the trigger before Cherries goalkeeper Neto got safely behind Goncalo Guedes’s speculative shot.
A fast start to the second half saw Solanke meet Billing’s cross with a header, his effort saved by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Zemura’s driving run ended with the ball running loose to Tavernier whose shot looped off Moutinho and out for a corner.
Tavernier then had the ball taken off his toe by Kilman as he prepared to take aim, Lerma’s pass splitting the visitors’ defence.
And as the Cherries continued to make all the early running after the break, Nathan Collins nipped in to beat Solanke to Tavernier’s cross.
Smith’s foul on Guedes gave Wolves a free kick in a central area 25 yards from goal, Moutinho’s effort clipping off the Cherries’ defensive wall.
Defender Smith then threw himself bravely at the feet of Neves to block his long-range piledriver before Lerma’s shot sailed over the crossbar.
Pedro Neto’s low drive found the side netting before Ryan Fredericks came on for his Cherries debut in place of Zemura in the 69th minute.
The Cherries had a let-off when Daniel Podence’s cross fell kindly for Jimenez and, with only Neto to beat, the striker lifted his shot wide of the target.
And Kelly’s heroic goal-line clearance again saved the day after Podence had met Jimenez’s knockdown with an effort from close range.
As Wolves pressed for a late winner, Jimenez climbed to meet a cross in the closing stages, his header bouncing past the upright.
Another heroic block by Kelly prevented Podence’s shot from testing Neto before Solanke was just unable to make good contact to a Tavernier centre.
AFC Bournemouth: Neto, Smith, Mepham, Kelly, Zemura (Fredericks, 69), Cook, Lerma, Billing (Moore, 77), Tavernier, Solanke, Christie (Anthony, 86).
Unused subs: Marcondes, Stacey, Lowe, Senesi, Hill, Travers (g/k).
Booked: Neto, Mepham.
Wolves: Jose Sa, Semedo (Ait-Nouri, 59), Collins, Kilman, Jonny, Nunes (Podence, 74), Neves, Moutinho, Guedes (Traore, 74), Jimenez, P Neto.
Unused subs: Hee-chan, Toti, Ronan, Dendoncker, Campbell, Sarkic (g/k).
Booked: Neves.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 10,113.
