The Cherries cruise to win to move back into Premier League top half
Thursday 31 January 2019 00:11, UK
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe hailed his side's counter-attacking display as his side thrashed Chelsea 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday.
The Cherries came under significant pressure during the opening period, but produced four unanswered second-half goals as a double from Joshua King and further strikes from David Brooks and Charlie Daniels secured a second straight win for the first time since October.
Chelsea collapsed to their worst Premier League defeat in 23 years - and Howe was delighted with his team's display as Bournemouth moved back into the top half of the Premier League.
Howe said: "We hoped to give the best account of ourselves, and one aspect of our play was very good. Our counter-attacking was superb tonight in both the first half and second half - the first half without any reward, the second we got the goals.
"It was a brilliant defensive display. So many players throughout the team really excelled in that discipline, so it's been a good night.
"We rode our luck at times but the way we counter-attacked we were devastating at times, and that's what I'll take away from tonight."
Artur Boruc made a brilliant save to deny Mateo Kovacic as his header was tipped onto the crossbar before Boruc kept out Cesar Azpilicueta's shot but Chelsea's challenge faded spectacularly after the break.
From the moment King opened the scoring two minutes into the second period, Chelsea's haphazard approach to getting back into the contest played into Bournemouth's hands as they picked their opponents off at will.
Howe acknowledged the result might have been different had his side not carried out their defensive duties, adding: "Brooks did a brilliant job on Jorginho and we managed to frustrate them.
"It's difficult to remember all the goals, exactly how they happened but Brooks did really well in certain moments with his final pass. The quality of his goal, his finish was of the highest level, but it's not just him.
"I thought Josh King was excellent tonight, the two centre midfielders did a good job. We're really pleased.
"It's always nice to win when you have players missing because it gives everyone in the squad a huge lift. We know the group is strong to withhold having a few players out."
