AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth won their second game in four days as they produced a solid performance to win 2-0 away at Blackburn Rovers and complete a seasonal double against the Lancashire side.
Philip Billing netted inside the first half an hour, pouncing to stab home a rebound for his third goal in four games to give the visitors a lead.
The match was physical and the Cherries were standing up to the challenge, then producing two pieces of skill unbefitting of the match to score a second with 15 minutes remaining.
Ben Pearson's flick sent Arnaut Danjuma through, a nutmeg preceding a well-taken finish as the away side took a stranglehold on the match that they wouldn't give up, despite a late scare.
In two minutes of last-gasp drama, Begovic first saved Adam Armstrong's injury-time penalty, moments later Steve Cook clearing a shot off his own line, the defence managing to see out their clean sheet and claim three more big points in their race for the play-offs.
There was a first start since February for David Brooks, one of three changes for the Cherries following their Good Friday win over Middlesborugh, with Pearson and Lloyd Kelly also returning to the starting 11.
Two early Arnaut Danjuma corners were cleared, before there was an escape at the other end when Asmir Begovic slipped when looking to clear the ball long.
Brooks was sharp to steal the ball past a defender and edging inside was felled by Barry Douglas right on the edge of the area, though referee Darren Bond adjudged there not to have been an infringement.
There was a similar case of a goalkeeping worry when Billing successfully charged down Rovers 'keeper Thomas Kaminski's clearance, though the ball rebounded safely out for a throw in.
A quickly-taken free-kick almost opened up the visiting defence, a corner conceded, and from the set piece Harvey Elliott fired over from range.
The match was open and combative, though chances were at a premium, until the Cherries fluidly carved one out for themselves, eventually taken by Billing who continued his goalscoring form with a well-taken opener.
Some delightful play down the right saw Brooks flick through for Adam Smith who galloped forwards into space, the ball played inside for Jefferson Lerma and in turn Danjuma. The Dutchman cut onto his right foot and struck a shot that was blocked by a defender, the loose ball dropping and stabbed home from ten yards by Billing.
Begovic was soon called to save from Rovers substitute Lewis Holtby's flicked header. Elliott soon striking from range again, the Bosnian 'keeper again sharp to palm away the on-loan Liverpool player's effort.
Rovers were pushing for a leveller in the lead up to the break, the away back line standing firm to confirm the Bournemouth advantage up to the referee's half-time whistle.
There were no changes as the match restarted at Ewood Park, though Lerma and Dominic Solanke quickly entered the referee's notebook for fouls as they looked to stem the early half Blackburn charge.
In a Cherries forward foray a corner was won. Well worked, Danjuma drove a low ball directly to the edge of the box, stepped over by Brooks for Billing to run onto and hit first time, his effort flashing well over.
Just past the hour mark Cameron Carter-Vickers was his side's saviour as he bravely stretched his body out to block as danger man Adam Armstrong looked odds on to score as he latched onto a knock down from Rovers substitute Sam Gallagher.
Jack Stacey replaced Brooks in the first away change of the afternoon as the scoreboard clicked into the final 20 minutes in Lancashire.
The contest was starting to meander when it was seized by the Cherries, who doubled their advantage after two sublime pieces of skill to open the home defence.
The ball loose 25 yards from goal, Pearson swiveled to backheel through, Danjuma poking the ball through his defender's legs to send himself clear, his finish calmness personified as he passed it low into the far corner.
Substitute Sam Surridge looped a ball over for Danjuma to again strike at, though the tricky opportunity was pulled narrowly wide.
Into six minutes of added-on time and from nowhere Blackburn had two huge chances to register a goal and set up a grandstand finish.
Gallagher was fouled by Adam Smith in the box with Armstrong firing his spot kick powerfully and centrally, but seeing it rebound away off of Begovic's legs.
From the next attack Begovic couldn't get to a cross and a Rovers Bradley Johnson shot looked certain to finally penetrate the Cherries' defence, only for captain Cook to spread himself and superbly clear off the goal line.
A 15th clean sheet of the season dramatically confirmed, the referee's final whistle sounded and Bournemouth's six-point Easter weekend came to an winning end.
