Peterborough United 0-0 Bournemouth: Cherries miss chance to go top of Championship

David Cornell shootsImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

David Cornell thwarted Morgan Rogers early on with one of Bournemouth's best chances

Unbeaten Bournemouth missed the chance to go back to the top of the Championship as they were held to a goalless draw at Peterborough United.

The Cherries had the best of the chances, but Darren Ferguson's side - who had lost five of their last six matches - did well to hold out their high-flying opponents.

The hosts' best chance came early on as Morgan Rogers broke into the box from a throw-in and forced a good low save from David Cornell.

Dominic Solanke should have won it five minutes from the end, but his shot on the turn from six yards was blazed over the bar after a defensive error, while he headed over from a corner in stoppage time.

Bournemouth are second in the table behind West Bromwich Albion on goal difference, while Peterborough drop into the relegation zone after Nottingham Forest's win at Barnsley.

Despite not finding a way through, Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has still to taste defeat in the league this season - his side's only loss was a 6-0 hammering by Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.

The Cherries have now gone 10 games unbeaten, bettering their start to last season when they did not lose in their first nine.

The visitors started in confident mood, pressing the ball high and almost going ahead in the 13th minute through Rogers' near-post effort.

But Posh were well organised defensively and had a great chance to go ahead after half an hour when Jorge Grant failed to convert Harrison Burrows' cross from close range thanks to pressure from Gary Cahill.

Bournemouth increased the tempo after the break and Solanke headed into the side netting from a corner before firing straight at Cornell as the half wore on.

Posh failed to register an effort of note after the break but the Championship's leakiest defence held firm despite late pressure.

Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker told BBC Radio Solent:

"I thought the first half was poor, We played a lot of the game in front of them, we didn't really threaten them or put them under much pressure.

"But we got a reaction in the second half. The team showed a real intent about us, we missed some big chances and we were firmly playing the game in their half.

"But we didn't manage to get the goal that we were searching for and I think on the scale of things, with the first half performance the way it was, it's difficult to then go and turn it like we had to."

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:

"The game plan, the players tactically got it absolutely spot on to a man, defensively very good, no gaps.

"It was frustrating at times when we could have been better on the ball to hurt them, but I can't have anything but praise for my team because they played as a team, every man, against a team that's way ahead of most teams in this league.

"Sometimes fans are used to us bombing forward and attacking, we can't do that against teams like Bournemouth, they would have cut us to shreds and I just felt the atmosphere was a bit lacking at times because of that."

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