Sunday 18 March 2018 07:06, UK
Junior Stanislas' late strike saw Bournemouth beat West Brom 2-1 on Saturday to all but secure their Premier League safety and send the Baggies a step closer to the drop.
West Brom had been leading with 13 minutes to go thanks to Jay Rodriguez's well-taken opener (49), the forward's ninth goal of the season, only for the hosts to equalise through Jordon Ibe's drive (77).
However, with the match entering its final minute, Stanislas stepped up to curl a sensational free-kick past Ben Foster as Bournemouth won for the first time in five games to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.
As for the visitors, Alan Pardew's team produced one of their best displays of the season, but this latest defeat - their seventh in a row - leaves them 10 points from safety with now only seven games left this campaign.
In a first half with virtually no goalmouth action to report, it was two penalty calls not awarded by referee Graham Scott that were the talk of the Vitality at the break.
The first incident came on the half-hour mark when Josh King appeared to be upended by Ahmed Hegazi, while five minutes later Salomon Rondon got to the ball first in the area, only for Nathan Ake to catch the striker.
West Brom had soon forgotten that last decision though after taking the lead early in the second half following an excellent team move involving Kieran Gibbs, who powered down the left flank before standing a cross up for Rondon at the far post.
The Venezuelan then headed the ball back across for Rodriguez, who did well to swivel and volley past Begovic as hopes were raised of an all-too-rare win on the road for the Baggies.
Those hopes, however, were dashed in the final quarter of the match as first Ibe beat Foster with a low drive that despite bouncing just in front of him, the goalkeeper should have kept out.
Stanislas then broke West Brom hearts with a breathtaking free-kick that this time Foster had no chance with, the forward's fifth goal of the campaign, before Charlie Daniels' goal-line clearance prevented Matt Phillips for equalising in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Eddie Howe: It was a difficult game, we always knew it would be, especially with the way West Brom played. They got men behind the ball, they made it very difficult for us.
And it was even more difficult when we went behind against that style of play. To go behind was always going to be our biggest challenge, but we found something again and thankfully we have been able to do that at times and come back.
It did not look like we were going to do that today, but that is where the players deserve exit credit.
Alan Pardew: It was really hard on our players - they put in an unbelievable effort. It's tough for us as it's been one of those seasons where nothing has gone right - the players have worked really hard and it's difficult to look them in the eye when they've got no reward for it. They'll be walking out of here injured animals as they didn't deserve that.
West Brom were well worthy of going in front. Rondon was on fire. It was like Bournemouth were waiting to go behind to start playing. West Brom started to back off and when Jonny Evans went off, a minute later West Brom were behind. Stanislas' free kick was fantastic.
I thought West Brom looked tired. Bournemouth probably just about shaded it, but Alan Pardew must be thinking what more West Brom have to do to get out of this run.
The muscular Venezuela international did not deserve to be on the losing side after producing an impressive display on the south coast.
The frontman helped create Rodriguez's opener and had a hand in everything good the struggling Baggies did all afternoon long.
However, despite running himself into the ground, the 28-year-old could not prevent his team from conceding twice late on and seemingly slip towards the Championship.
Bournemouth take on Watford at Vicarage Road in the league on Saturday, March 31.
Meanwhile, West Brom entertain Burnley at the Hawthorns, with that match also taking place next Saturday afternoon.
