Monday night saw the last match of gameweek seven in the Premier League, as Bournemouth defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium. The victory was secured via a last-gasp penalty from Junior Stanislas. The home side are now seventh-place in the top-flight table, just two points off the Champions League spots.
Brooks and Stanislas goals enough to secure victory
Bournemouth took just five minutes to open the scoring, as youngster David Brooks found the net. Callum Wilson held the ball up and found the Welshman who fired a superb effort into the top corner of the net. The goal was Brook’s first since moving to the south coast in the summer from Championship Sheffield United.
Palace struggled to make an attacking impact in the first period. However, the Eagles did equalise ten minutes after the break. Wilfried Zaha had been subdued until this point when he found an onrushing Patrick Van Aanholt, who fired a powerful effort past Asmir Begovic. The Dutchman looked offside, but it was a marginal call and the officials decided to let the goal stand.
With both teams going for the victory, the home side were the ones to take maximum points with the winning goal coming with just three minutes left on the clock.
Palace defender Mamadou Sakho elbowed Cherries midfielder Jefferson Lerma in the area and Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Stanislas had only been on the pitch for three minutes but made no mistake with the spot-kick.
The victory means that the Cherries are now unbeaten in 12 games against teams outside of the top-six. The defeat leaves Palace 13th place in the table, as Roy Hodgson’s team have taken just seven points from as many games this season.
The Eagles have also struggled for goals in the top-flight this season, as Hodgson’s side have found the net just five times in their seven league outings this season.
Bournemouth prolific on their home patch
Bournemouth’s Premier League games are usually high scoring, especially at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries have now scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 14 home games in the top-flight.
Eddie Howe’s team become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the English top-flight. If the team from the south coast can now just marry their attacking prowess with better defensive performances then they could be a real force under the highly-rated Howe.
Games at the Vitality are not just entertaining because of the Cherries effectiveness in front of goal. The team from the south coast have now kept clean sheets in just two of their last 17 home games in the top-flight.
What is next for these two teams?
These two teams are back in league action once again next weekend. Bournemouth face a potentially tough trip to Watford, where the Cherries will be underdogs due to the Hornets decent start to their campaign.
Meanwhile, Palace host in-form Wolves at Selhurst Park, which could be a tricky due to the Midlander’s recently finding their feet in the Premier League.
Both games are winnable for the pair. However, Bournemouth will be the ones heading next weekend’s game with a spring in their step after Monday night’s clash.
Can Bournemouth be this season’s surprise package in the top-flight?
