AFC Bournemouth advance to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup after defeating Norwich 2-1, but it wasn’t all plain sailing at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night.
It’s the first week since the clocks went back and the long nights have begun. Because of this you wouldn’t think that many people would be willing to brave the chilly autumn air to watch a fourth-round League Cup game, but spirits were high at a well attended Vitality stadium on Tuesday evening.
Some fans might have regretted their decision after half an hour as the game was shaping up to be an attritional borefest.
After 30 minutes both sides seemed to go up a gear though, and the game became more stretched with chances created at both ends of the pitch. The Cherries broke the deadlock after 39 minutes with Junior Stanislas smashing the ball into the top of the net after being released by Jermaine Defoe down the left flank.
Norwich equalised with a wonderfully taken goal by Onel Hernandez. Norwich could only stay level for two minutes, however, as Steve Cook fired the home side back ahead in what would eventually end up a winner in a fiercely contested match on the south coast.
Here are five things we learned from tonights clash:
Fraser makes Bournemouth tick
Ryan Fraser has created the most chances for Bournemouth this season and has created as many as Eden Hazard with 25.
The Scotland international also leads the league with five assists and has scored four goals and created six assists across all competitions this season.
The 24-year-old midfielder showed his quality again in this one when he came on with 30 minutes to go, creating a chance for his team mates within the first few minutes. In an astounding demonstration of tenacity, the Scot, who was outnumbered near the touchline scrambled past everyone and nearly scored near the end of the game, but was blocked at the last minute.
Dennis Srebeny has no luck
The German attacker just couldn’t find the net this evening despite having many opportunities to do so. He was caught offside on a couple of occasions in the first half when better timed runs would have seen him through on goal.
When he finally managed to time his run correctly he was thwarted by Artur Boruc between the sticks. Srebeny almost made amends moments later, but this time the inside of the post ended his pursuit of a goal tonight.
Defoe still sharp
At 36, Jermain Defoe is entering the last stretch of his career, but you wouldn’t have realised after watching him play this evening.
The Englishman was making incisive runs, getting into good positions and looked like he’d not lost a step when on the ball. His quick thinking and judgement was on show when he played a beautifully weighted pass to Junior Stanislas on the left wing, who cut inside the box to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
If at first you don’t succeed…
Onel Hernandez bagged his third goal of the season, but he could have had a hat-trick.
The Cuban seemed to be enjoying the same amount of luck that Dennis Srebeny was having in the first half in front of goal. Like Srbeny in the first half Hernandez missed a couple of clear-cut chances and hit the woodwork, but unlike the German he eventually found the net and Norwich’s equaliser after 70 minutes.
His equaliser stood for only two minutes before the Cherries went back ahead. Hernandez would have a chance to equalise again, but his poor luck continued as. he hit the side netting.
Stanislas is a homebody
There’s no place like home, and if you don’t believe that just look at Stanislas who has has scored in each of his last four starts at home for Bournemouth in all competitions this season.
The 28-year-old Englishman was a live wire all game. His goal came after Jermain Defoe played him a great pass on the left flank, a few step overs and a hard driven shot later the ball was in the roof of the net.
Stanislas could have earned himself a brace in the second half, but was pulled back by Christoph Zimmerman before he could go one-on-one with he ‘keeeper, who earned a yellow card.
The post Bournemouth 2-1 Norwich: fives things learned as Cherries reach Carabao Cup QFs appeared first on Squawka News.
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