Championship: AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Norwich City
- Published
Arnaut Danjuma scored his second goal of the season to hand the Cherries a second win in three
Bournemouth extended their unbeaten start to the Championship season with victory over Norwich City, who lost for the first time this term.
Arnaut Danjuma scored the winner in the first half, taking Jefferson Lerma's slide-rule pass on the edge of the box and spinning away from his marker before thumping a low drive past an otherwise-inspired Tim Krul in the Norwich goal.
The Cherries were unable to add to their tally in an ebb and flow first half, but found themselves on the back foot during the second period.
Norwich pushed for an equaliser but were unable to create the killer chance and had two penalty shouts ruled out by referee James Linington.
Jason Tindall's side are now unbeaten in their past 16 games at second-tier level, the number of which Norwich were also undefeated before today.
Both sides are among the promotion hopefuls in the Championship having been relegated from the Premier League last season, and there was evidence of that quality threaded throughout the game.
As well as scoring, the hosts had the best chances of a low-key first half with Dominic Solanke's fierce effort and Jack Stacey's downward header foiled brilliantly by Krul.
Onel Hernandez was one of Norwich's brighter lights, but his shot was easily saved by Asmir Begovic, who also got down well to deny Lukas Rupp before half-time.
Danjuma snapped another effort at goal that Norwich's Dutch keeper again got his hands to, while Solanke headed over wastefully in the second period.
Max Aarons tumbled in the box just before that for Norwich but referee Linington ignored the penalty shout, and despite throwing plenty at Bournemouth, they could not find the breakthrough.
Not even a more direct approach with the introduction of Jordan Hugill could turn the game, as time ran out on their attempted fightback.
Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall:
"It was a lovely goal from Arnie. He's that type of player who can produce a goal from nothing.
"I think it's really important to get off to a good start, especially when you're a team that's just got relegated from the Premier League and you're a little bit down - so to beat one our rivals s fantastic."
On absent David Brooks:
"I got a message from David Brooks late last night on my phone saying that he's got feverish symptoms.
"The doctor went round to his house to check him and unfortunately he was unable to play. The doctor did test him (for Covid-19) and as of yet we haven't had the results back."
Norwich head coach Daniel Farke:
"There were two penalty decisions against us. Last season we were blaming VAR but today I was wishing to have it back, to be honest.
"The first feeling is definitely to be disappointed but it was definitely one of our best performances of the season. We'll definitely take lots of encouragement out of this game."