Bournemouth 3-1 Middlesbrough: Cherries bolster play-off hopes
- Published
Jefferson Lerma's first goal in 34 matches put the Cherries back in front
Bournemouth enhanced their play-off bid and dealt a blow to Middlesbrough's top-six hopes with a hard-fought win.
Philip Billing latched onto Arnaud Danjuma's flick-on over the top of Boro's defence and planted a half-volley into the bottom corner.
Duncan Watmore controlled Yannick Bolasie's pass into the box and lashed in a deserved equaliser off the right-hand post.
But the hosts were soon back in front through Jefferson Lerma's deflected shot, and Dominic Solanke stabbed in his 12th goal of the season late on to seal the points.
Bournemouth's fourth win in six league matches leapfrogged them above Reading into the play-off places on goal difference, but the Royals then reclaimed sixth place with a 1-1 draw at Barnsley in the tea-time kick-off.
A third defeat in five matches left Neil Warnock's side seven points adrift of the top six, in ninth, with seven matches left.
Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate, up against his former side and the man who replaced him as Boro manager, saw his side make the early running and take a deserved lead through Billings' impressive finish.
However, the visitors ended the first half the stronger and went close to a leveller when Marc Bola met Neeskens Kebano's far-post cross and looped a header onto the bar.
Boro maintained their momentum after the break and deservedly drew level when Watmore swivelled and unleashed a fine strike on the turn.
Yet their good work was undone when Sam Morsy failed to cut out Billings' tame cross and then deflected Jefferson Lerma's shot past his keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Bournemouth resumed control and Solanke marked his return from injury with a decisive third, scoring at the second attempt after Bettinelli had parried his initial shot following a run.
Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Radio Solent:
"We wanted to get that result at the start of the day to get us in the top six, but there's a long way to go still. We huffed and puffed at times, but got the result in the end.
"The first-half performance we have given away a lot of sloppy balls so that will need to improve, but we improved the level of performance in the second half and tried to get in behind them a lot more.
"I'm disappointed we didn't keep a clean sheet, but the victory is the important thing and I'm pleased. We've just got to win all our games now, it's in our hands."
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:
"There were a lot of plusses. The goals were disappointing, but I felt sorry for Sam Morsy with the second goal because he has been absolutely fantastic today.
"After Duncan's equaliser I thought there was only going to be one team that went on and won it really - I thought we played some good stuff in the first half and they scored with their first opportunity.
"Of the two clubs and the two sides, I'm quite excited. I think if they (Bournemouth) don't go up I can't see anything next season if I'm honest, whereas I think we've got quite a lot to look forward to."
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