Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,184.
Saturday 10 September 2016 18:19, UK
Jack Wilshere's Bournemouth debut ended in victory as Callum Wilson's deft flick handed them a narrow 1-0 victory over West Brom on Saturday.
Wilshere came off the bench just after the hour mark, and it certainly boosted the hosts at a time when West Brom were enjoying their best spell of the game.
The game appeared to heading for a stalemate, but Wilson's flick 10 minutes from time handed Bournemouth their first league win of the season.
It was no more than the hosts deserved, though Artur Boruc's spectacular save from a Gareth McAuley header had prevented West Brom from taking the lead earlier in the second half.
The build-up to the match was dominated by talk of whether Wilshere would start, but the Arsenal loanee had to wait to make his bow after being named on the bench.
The hosts started brightly but failed to capitalise on their dominance early, with Jordon Ibe going close after cutting onto his left foot and seeing his shot blocked.
Saido Berahino cut a lonesome figure up front for West Brom, and his frustration was telling when he sent a shot high and wide from 30 yards out following a rare touch on the ball.
The best chance of the half fell to Bournemouth, with Junior Stanislas' volley pushed out wide by Ben Foster.
The hosts gathered the ball following Foster's parry, and the ball ricocheted into Wilson's path, but he volleyed over at an angle with the goal at his mercy.
Berahino then went close for the visitors just before the half-time whistle, but he volleyed over after chesting the ball down in the area.
After the break, West Brom looked revitalised, and a Brendan Galloway cross was too strong for Boruc to hold on to, but the Bournemouth 'keeper was quick to get up and deny Berahino from two yards out.
More Boruc heroics followed, this time keeping out McAuley's header from point-blank range just before the hour-mark.
Following Wilshere's introduction, Matty Phillips went close for the visitors after over-hitting a cross, but the ball cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
It was all Bournemouth with 20 minutes to go however, and Stanislas shot straight at Foster despite having plenty of time to place his shot.
With 11 minutes to go, Bournemouth finally broke the deadlock, with Wilson showing great audacity to flick the ball with his heel into the far corner following Adam Smith's low cross.
The hosts ran the clock down and held on for their first league victory this campaign, ending their run of eight league games without a win.
Player Ratings
Bournemouth: Boruc 7, Smith 7, Francis 8, Cook 7, Daniels 7, Stanislas 7, Surman 7, Arter 8, Ibe 8, Wilson 8, King 8.
Subs: Gosling 6, Wilshere 7, Gradel 6.
West Brom: Foster 7, Dawson 7, McAuley 7, Evans 8, Galloway 6, Field 6, Yacob 6, Fletcher 6, Phillips 7, Chadli 6, Berahino 5.
Subs: Gardner 6, Rondon 5, Leko 6.
Man of the Match: Callum Wilson
Bournemouth countered with terrific speed and Ibe and King deserve honourable mentions for their endeavours. It was a flash of brilliance from Wilson and it proved to be a match-winning moment, with the 24-year-old proving a constant nuisance for the Baggies defence throughout the match.
