Bournemouth 4-0 Huddersfield Town
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Callum Wilson's hat-trick in Bournemouth's win over Huddersfield was reward for his attitude during a long injury lay-off, says Cherries manager Eddie Howe.
Wilson, making only his second Premier League start since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in February, helped Bournemouth to their third win in four Premier League games.
"Football is a difficult game to read and predict futures," said Howe.
"When he scored a hat-trick against West Ham (in August 2015) he looked like he had the world at his feet. But all the way through his injury process he has been positive."
Wilson headed Bournemouth in front from a corner before doubling the lead after beating the offside trap five minutes later.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time when Simon Francis was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rajiv van La Parra.
Harry Arter scored his first goal of the season - a low finish after robbing Scott Malone just outside the penalty area - before Wilson drilled home following Joshua King's pass.
Cherries flying up the table
On 14 October, Bournemouth were anchored in the relegation zone - three points from safety - after defeat by Tottenham at Wembley.
This win, courtesy of a scintillating display at the Vitality Stadium, lifted them up to 13th in the table.
Prior to this game, they had managed just three top-flight goals at home, yet ripped the Terriers apart with four in under an hour.
"We realised the importance of backing up the win we got before the (international) break," added Howe.
"We need as many points as we can. The fixture list changes in December and it will be a difficult run for us."
Wilson got ahead of Aaron Mooy to head the first before making it 2-0 five minutes later after Huddersfield's defence waited for an offside flag which never came.
Francis' dismissal provided Huddersfield with a lifeline yet the hosts still managed another two goals against opponents lacking cutting edge.
Wilson became the first Englishman to score a Premier League hat-trick this season after Malone's wretched error, before King set up Arter to complete Huddersfield's agony.
Terriers missing their bite on the road
Huddersfield remain without a win and a goal away from home since the opening weekend of the season after another abject performance on the road.
They started brightly in each half but were handed a lesson in finishing and now face tough games at home to Manchester City and at Arsenal.
Captain Mooy started despite playing for Australia in Sydney on Wednesday yet Huddersfield were lethargic even after Francis' dismissal.
When the game was goalless, Van la Parra was denied by a fine save from Asmir Begovic while Huddersfield will feel hard done by for the first goal as Florent Hadergjonaj was off the pitch receiving treatment after a crunching challenge.
David Wagner's side have now gone almost eight hours without scoring an away goal in the league.
Wagner said referee Lee Probert's first-half decisions cost his side.
"It would be 0-0 if we had them (video assistant referees). But we don't have them," Wagner said.
"Today he made big mistakes. For the first goal there was a clear foul, a harsh tackle and we concede a corner. The second was clear offside.
"Goals change games and these after wrong decisions changed the game."
Man of the match - Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
47 shots, no goals - the stats
Since winning their first ever Premier League away game 3-0 against Crystal Palace on the opening day, Huddersfield have failed to score in any of their last five games on the road, taking 47 shots (D1 L4).
No player has had more shots without scoring in the Premier League this season than Huddersfield's Tom Ince (30, including blocked).
Callum Wilson scored more than once in a Premier League game for just the second time in his career and first since netting three against West Ham in August 2015.
No players have seen more red cards in the Premier League in 2017 than Bournemouth's Simon Francis and Watford's Miguel Britos.
Huddersfield's Martin Cranie started a Premier League for the first time in 10 years and 3 months, last turning out from the start for Portsmouth in August 2007.
What's next?
In-form Bournemouth will look to make it four wins in five Premier League games at struggling Swansea next Saturday (15:00 GMT). Huddersfield have an extra day to prepare for the visit of leaders Manchester City on 26 November (16:00 GMT).
- Published12 November 2017
- Published4 November 2017
- Published4 November 2017