Joshua King’s goal on the stroke of half-time gave Bournemouth their first win since September. Their win brought Manchester United’s three-match winning run to a halt.
United had made a positive start after going unbeaten in four matches. Never did they know their new-found belief would evaporate in driving rain and swirling wind on the South Coast.
The hosts gradually got a foothold in the game and former United trainee King struck moments before the break to claim Bournemouth’s first goal in nearly six hours.
The 27-year-old striker was allowed to chest down Adam Smith’s cross into the box before turning Aaron Wan Bissaka and volleying between David de Gea’s legs from close range.
The Cherries carried on with the momentum in the second half as well. Harry Wilson twice went close to doubling their lead as United struggled to regain the dominance they enjoyed early on.
The late introduction of Mason Greenwood lifted them. The young striker hit the post moments after coming on but United could not prevent Bournemouth from securing their first win in six. The win sent them above the Red Devils to sixth in the table before the rest of Saturday’s games.
Cherries end goal drought
While Bournemouth conceded just one goal in three games in October, the also failed to score. But manager Eddie Howe backed his attacking players in Friday’s news conference and made only one change to the side which drew 0-0 at Watford.
Harry Wilson came in and the Liverpool loanee had the Cherries’ first shot that was deflected wide. This happened right before Bournemouth break saw Ryan Fraser shoot straight at De Gea.
Yet, the Cherries seldom managed to get behind the visitors’ defense until Harry Wilson and Fraser combined to find Smith on the right side of United’s box. The full-back lifted the ball towards the king, who showed great composure to convert his fourth goal of the season.
After the break, Bournemouth looked more like the side which went third in the table after 3-1 win at Southampton on 20th September.
Fraser steered a volley straight at De Gea, who had to rush out to deny King and Harry Wilson in quick succession.
De Gea then had to produce a fine low save to keep out Harry Wilson’s left-footed strike before ever-present keeper Ramsdale made two late saves to ensure the Cherries kept a third straight clean sheet.