It wasnโt pretty โ at least not in the second half โ but Bournemouth had enough โfight and beliefโ to get themselves over the line for a first-ever win away to Southampton on Friday.
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Speaking after the game, Cherries manager Eddie Howe was obviously pleased by the victory in the Premier Leagueโs budding south coast rivalry, but quickly turned his attention to a list of areas in which his team came up short and was perhaps fortunate to hold onto a 2-1 lead prior to Callum Wilsonโs gifted goal in the 95th minute โ quotes from the BBC:
โIt was a nice moment. We rarely get those moments in football where you get that pure emotion and joy for a few seconds. Then you start thinking about next week.
โYou want the players brought down to earth because you want the focus on consistent success. In the first, half we were okay. We didnโt hit the heights we are capable of. We were scrappy and didnโt keep the ball as well as I wanted, but we had spirit and sometimes thatโs the most important thing.
โIn the second half, we were reactive and looked tired and thatโs where we needed to show our heart to see the game out. There were some heroics from our goalkeeper too.โ
As for defender Nathan Ake, scorer of Bournemouthโs first goal, it was all about digging deep for the desire and will to win. The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the first names on Howeโs teamsheet every week at this point.
โIt was a very tough game. The fans are buzzing. It was a great three points. The manager said to put the ball in the box.
โIt was a great ball and it fell on my head. In the second half, we made it difficult for ourselves. We didnโt keep hold of the ball and had to defend more. The last result against Everton was great so it gives you confidence, but we had to fight and believe we could win.โ
Had you offered anyone associated with Bournemouth 10 points from their first six games, they would have snatched your hand off to take them. A thoroughly solid start to the season. Up next is a visit from ninth-place West Ham United next Saturday.
