Rotherham United 0-2 Bournemouth

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Callum Wilson hooks home Bournemouth's second goal against RotherhamImage source, PA
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Callum Wilson has scored 14 goals in 29 games for the Cherries this season

Bournemouth maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Championship with a clinical win at Rotherham.

The Cherries had the better of the first half with Marc Pugh heading a chance wide and Callum Wilson having an effort ruled out for a foul.

But they had to wait until injury time to go ahead when Tommy Elphick headed home a Charlie Daniels cross.

Wilson wrapped up an eighth win in nine away matches after the break, shooting home from close range after a scramble.

Media caption,

Howe on Rotherham v Bournemouth

The victory, which kept Bournemouth ahead of Ipswich Town and extended the lead over third-placed Derby County to three points, rarely looked in doubt despite a spirited home response to Wilson's goal.

The margin never looked like being a repeat of the 5-1 thumping handed out to the Millers in the FA Cup earlier this month, but the manner of the win was equally impressive.

The Cherries defended resolutely throughout and created the better opportunities in a tight game.

Contrasting fortunes

Rotherham have now not won any of their last eight home games in all competitions, while Bournemouth have only lost once in 16 Championship matches.

Wilson had an effort disallowed for a foul on Kari Arnason just after the half-hour and the visitors then started to get on top as Pugh headed an effort just wide and Matt Ritchie and Wilson also went close.

Rotherham's best opportunity saw Jack Barmby, recently signed on loan from Leicester, shoot narrowly wide in the 44th minute after a fine move.

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Steve Evans: Rotherham boss on defeat by Bournemouth

But two goals either side of the interval settled the contest and ended any hope of a first Rotherham win in 15 games.

Elphick met a deep Daniels cross to open the scoring and Wilson's simple finish doubled the advantage.

Brett Pitman almost added a third with free-kick that flew just wide, before the hosts got on top in the latter stages.

Simon Francis made a crucial clearance and only a brave block by Cherries defender Steve Cook denied Paul Green a late consolation.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans on referee Stephen Martin: "He's had an absolute shocker from start to finish. That's the worst official we have had in about five years. I don't remember playing away from home and getting so many decisions from a match official. I think that's quite hard to take as a manager.

"I think we're unfortunate to concede before half-time because if you've got a stopwatch that's the same as mine, he's over time."

On Bournemouth players Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson: "They are two of the most gifted players on the pitch - but how they have not been booked for simulation...the mind boggles.

"I thought for large parts of the game we gave the best team in the league a run for their money."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "We have been good defensively on the road and we protected our goal very well. I think whenever you watch us play this season we've always looked like we've had goals in us and we were quite ruthless when our opportunities came along. That's a good combination when you are tight defensively and free-scoring."

The Cherries lost their first match in 15 Championship games last weekend after a 5-1 romp against Rotherham in the FA Cup and Howe added: "I think we've got a good squad and it's very difficult to pick a team when you are in my position with the strength that we have and the other guys have proved that in all the cup competitions this year.

"When the team has just been on a long unbeaten run and suffered its first defeat I wanted to give those lads an opportunity to respond and make sure I didn't make any knee-jerk reactions in terms of selections."

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Elphick's goal was his first of the season and just his fifth in 109 games for Bournemouth

Image source, PA
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Wilson (centre) joined Bournemouth from Coventry City last summer

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Howe has won 65 of 121 games during his second spell in charge of the Cherries and has lost just 31 matches

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