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Bournemouth logo
Championship
Apr 27, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Bolton logo

3-0

Pugh (39'), Ritchie (44'), Wilson (78')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Bournemouth vs. Bolton Wanderers - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage as Bournemouth look to secure promotion against Bolton Wanderers.
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Bournemouth all but clinched promotion to the Premier League by beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at Dean Court.

The Cherries started the night with a far superior goal difference to third-placed Middlesbrough, and first-half goals from Marc Pugh and Matt Ritchie put them on course for the victory they needed.

Yann Kermorgant missed a penalty in the second half after Dorian Dervite had been shown a straight red card, but Callum Wilson wrapped up the win to spark wild celebrations at the final whistle.

Read below to find out how the action unfolded.


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Good evening everyone. It's crunch time! Bournemouth have been battling for a place in the Premier League all season, and they can finally see the finish line. Bolton Wanderers stand in their way. Can the Cherries deliver the goods tonight? Stick with me over the next couple of hours to find out.

It might not have the (P) next to them in the table later tonight, but a win will be enough for Bournemouth to secure promotion. They start the night level on points with third-placed Middlesbrough but there is a big difference in goal difference. Bournemouth +47 Middlesbrough +31

It may have been an easier route to promotion had the Cherries not conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Sheffield Wednesday last week, but Eddie Howe will be hopeful that the disappointing setback is behind his players. Quite simply, this is the biggest night in the club's history.

BOURNEMOUTH: Boruc; Smith, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Surman, Arter, Pugh; Kermorgant, Wilson
Subs: Camp, Ward, Harte, Gosling, Fraser, Pitman, Jones

BOLTON: Bogdan; Feeney, Ream, Dervite, Moxey; Walker, Bannan, Danns, M Davies; Heskey, Le Fondre
Subs: Lonergan, Gudjohnsen, Twardzik, Threlkeld, Coke, Taylor, Woolery


Howe makes just once change to his Bournemouth side as Adam Smith, who gifted Wednesday the penalty in that dramatic draw, replaces Simon Francis in the starting lineup. Callum Wilson and Yann Kermorgant lead the attack as Brett Pitman is forced to settle for a spot on the bench.

It's fair to say that Bolton haven't been talked about much in the build-up to this fixture, but with no pressure on their shoulders, they could be a dangerous opponent for the Cherries. Neil Lennon recalls Barry Bannan, Neil Danns and Mark Davies as he makes three changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Brentford.

Howe has been keen to warn against complacency in recent days. The Bournemouth boss knows that the promotion race is far from over, and after some of the results on the weekend, the top of the table could change very quickly if they do not collect all three points this evening. Sides who are not threatened by relegation can make an impact late in a season, just ask Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

Howe spoke to Sports Mole on Friday, and he was keen to make it clear that this Bournemouth are prepared for a stern test of their promotion credentials this evening.

"We respect every team," Howe told Sports Mole. "We respected Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, Brighton - we prepared as well as we could for those games, so we have not doubt that Bolton will be motivated.

"They will want to do well, they'll want to beat us and they've shown from their recent results that they're not taking their foot off the gas as they come to the tail-end of their season. We know it's going to be difficult."


PREDICTION: It's such a tough game to call. Bournemouth are firm favourites, but the situation could cause more drama than many people expect. A good start is crucial for the Cherries. I'm backing them to clinch a 3-1 victory tonight.


Watford's players, who celebrated promotion on the way home from Brighton on Saturday, will be keeping a close eye on this match tonight, too. If Bolton manage to upset the hosts and record a victory, the Hornets will clinch the title.

Here we go then. There's fantastic noise coming from the home fans as the two sides shake hands on the pitch. We're just a few moments away from kickoff now.

Football clubs have been remembering the victims of the Bradford fire over the weekend, and tonight is no different as the players observe a minute's silence.

Bournemouth will get the game underway!

It's no surprise to see Bolton look for Heskey early in the game, but the opening stages are disrupted by a couple of fouls. One decision goes Heskey's way and the other goes against the form England striker.

CHANCE! What an opportunity for the hosts. Ream attempts to guide the ball away from danger, but Wilson is too strong. The striker has options to his right but he takes his time before firing a low effort at Bogdan's legs.

Ouch. There's a moment of concern for Kermorgant when the forward is struck in the face by the ball. He certainly couldn't get out of the way. Luckily for Bournemouth, he's up on his feet after a few seconds.

Excellent work from Wilson once again as he shrugs off Moxey before delivering a dangerous cross which comes off Feeney and drops to Bogdan, much to the relief of the Bolton defence.

It's been a decent start from the home side. They've seen more of the ball than Bolton and Wilson is causing problems when he runs into the channels. Howe will be pretty happy, but he'll want an early breakthrough.

Le Fondre can be a very dangerous opponent for Championship defence, and he links up well with Heskey to run onto a flick-on from his strike partner. Bournemouth clear the danger, but they can't allow those two to find each other.

The Bournemouth fans breathe a huge sigh of relief. Bolton take the corner short, and Dervite eventually connects with the ball at the back post to head across goal. Le Fondre almost taps home, but it looks like Dervite was in an offside position.

SAVE! Bogdan comes to Bolton's rescue once again. Surman does well on the left to get the ball in the box. Wilson can't get his shot away, but the ball drops to Ritchie, whose powerful low strike is blocked by the Hungarian.

SAVE! Chances are starting to arrive at both ends. A long ball is flicked on and the lively Le Fondre reacts well to get his head on the ball, but Boruc manages to keep it out. It's a let off for the hosts.

Moxey is a very lucky boy. He really should be booked for a dangerous tackle on Pugh, but the referee decides against getting the book out. Bournemouth are unable to make the visitors pay with the free kick from the left.

Bolton have looked pretty good early on, but there has been signs that Bournemouth can slice open the visiting defence by getting the ball out wide regularly. A decent passing move is ruined when Smith fires a speculative effort over the crossbar from 30 yards.

Wilson has voiced his anger with some of the service on two occasion. A hopeful chipped pass from Arter is too strong for the striker, who is clearly keen to hold up play further up the pitch.

Bournemouth are showing a lot of patience with their approach as Pugh settles for winning a corner on the left. The delivery is awkward for Danns, who does well to clear the ball under pressure from Surman at the front post.

CHANCE! Bournemouth create another good opportunity. A corner is taken short to Arter, who delivers a superb first-time cross, but Kermorgant can only head over after beating Ream to the ball.

Bolton send another warning to Bournemouth. Le Fondre is unfortunate to be caught offside, but his movement was excellent on the way to collecting a defence-splitting pass from Bannan.

Pugh is furious once again as he is once again targeted with a late tackle. The attacking midfielder was looking to collect a return pass on the left wing, but Dervite blocked his path. The referee has missed two bookings.

Bolton are playing with three in central defence, and it means there isn't much space on offer to the hosts. Kermorgant is forced to try his luck with an optimistic chip from the edge of the box, but Bogdan is happy to watch the ball drift over.

Bannan is starting to make an impact in midfield, and Bournemouth can't afford to give him too much space. The Scotland international plays a lovely pass out wide to Heskey, whose deflected cross sends the ball into Boruc's arms.

SAVES! Stunning from Bogdan. Dervite's attempts to stop a Bournemouth attack are unsuccessful as the referee plays good advantage. Wilson beats the offside trap, but an outstretched hand from Bogdan prevents him from tapping into an empty net. The striker keeps the ball in play before finding Ritchie, whose powerful effort is pushed to safety by the Bolton goalkeeper. Dervite then picks up a booking.

SAVE! Bournemouth threaten again. Kermorgant is given the space to unleash a shot from the edge of the box which forces Bogdan to push the ball over.

A lot of pressure would be relieved if Bournemouth find a breakthrough before the half-time interval, but Bogan has been in fantastic form so far. The hosts are starting to look more dangerous and they are attacking with more pace now.

Bournemouth enjoy a long spell of possession, but there's just no way through as Bolton hold their shape with plenty of men behind the ball. Howe will be keen to see one of his midfielders get beyond Wilson and Kermorgant. That could be the key to breaking through.

Danns and Bannan are doing a very disciplined job in midfield to make life difficult for Surman and Arter, who are keen to make space for the forwards. Arter creates a yard for himself with a clever touch before hitting a shot straight at Bogdan from 25 yards.

Bolton have been on the back foot for the past few minutes but a ball into the box causes problems for Bournemouth, who are relieved to see Feeney miscue his speculative volley.

GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BOLTON (PUGH)

Bournemouth make the breakthrough! It's superb work from Ritchie as he earns space on the wing before sending a cross to the back post. Pugh is there to collect the ball, and he turns Feeney inside out before hitting a fantastic strike past Bogdan. Excellent goal from the hosts.

As it stands, it would take a ridiculous seven-goal swing for Middlesbrough to beat Bournemouth to promotion on the final day of the season. The job isn't finished yet, but Bournemouth are closing in on promotion as the continue to dominate possession.

GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 2-0 BOLTON (RITCHIE)

It gets even better for Bournemouth! They're an excellent attacking side, and they've shown why with a brilliant second goal. Wilson times his run to perfection before finding Kermorgant, who decides against shooting and instead executes the perfect layoff for Ritchie. It's a good decision as Ritchie sends a fine low strike past a helpless Bogdan.

Bannan delivers a good cross towards the back post in the first of two added minutes, but Cook is in the right position to make a vital clearance with Le Fondre lurking behind him.

HALF TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 2-0 BOLTON

There has been so much pressure on Bournemouth in the build up to this match, and you can't help but admire the way they have handled it in the first half. Howe's side have scored two excellent goals to take a comfortable lead into the half-time interval. They're not there quite yet, but a spot in the Premier League is just around the corner.

When Bogdan was making brilliant saves in the early stages of the match, I'm certain a few Bournemouth supporters may have been fearing the worst but they're in a great position. Howe could change a few things at the interval, but he'll surely stick with this approach in the hope that his side can kill the game off quickly.

How can Bolton get back into this game? Lennon will have to risk sending a few men further forward to put the host under pressure. At times they've struggled to get players close to Heskey, who is ding his best to hold up the ball. Eidur Gudjohnsen would add some much-needed creativity.

Supporters of Middlesbrough and Norwich City will be praying that the Cherries add to this tally tonight.


The players are back out on the pitch for the second half. No changes from either manager at the break. Bolton will get the game back underway.

Bournemouth will be desperate to get the next goal. If Bolton reduce the deficit, everyone inside Dean Court will be feeling nervous. Daniels starts the second half by winning a corner on the left.

Fantastic football from Bournemouth as they build the attack from back to front. Wilson does well to keep the move alive in the box, but a poor touch from Ritchie allows Bolton to survive before the referee signals a goal kick.

Ritchie, who has been excellent once again this evening, almost creates another chance for his side with a clever pass aimed at Wilson, but Ream steps in with a vital interception on the edge of the box.

CHANCE! Cook does well to prevent Heskey from reaching a dangerous cross, but the move stays alive when Le Fondre finds Bannan, whose low effort is deflected behind by Elphick.

Great defending from Smith as he reads the bounce of the ball well to hold off Heskey, whose frustration is clear as he pulls down the full-back to concede a free kick.

Arter has scored some stunning goals this season, but he can't add to his tally on this occasion as a 30-yard effort drifts high and wide of the target.

Bournemouth are really pushing for the second goal, but it hasn't quite clicked in the second half. A couple of poor touches on the edge of the box bring promising attacks to an end. However, the pressure keeps coming as Bolton struggle to get Le Fondre and Heskey involved.

Bolton create a decent opening when Walker delivers a superb cross, but Feeney decides against putting the ball back in the danger zone as he heads wide at the back post. Boruc is furious with the marking. It's a warning for Bournemouth.

CHANCE! Bournemouth come agonisingly close to a third goal. The hosts take the corner short and work the ball well to Wilson, who drills the ball to the back post but Cook can't add the finishing touch on the slide.

Excellent defending from Cook as he puts another pressure on Heskey to prevent him from poking home at a corner. Boruc is pulled by Le Fondre from the corner which follows, but Bournemouth survive despite no free kick being given.

SUBSTITUTIONS: It looks like Lennon will switch to a 4-4-2 as Gudjohnsen and Oscar Threlkeld come off the bench to replace Feeney and Davies.

It looks set to be a special night, and Kermorgant attempts something special with a 40-yard lob which Bogdan pushes over the crossbar. The goalkeeper keeps out a header from the corner which follows and Wilson fails to make contact with the rebound in the six-yard box.

Bournemouth come forward in numbers again as Pugh cuts in from the left before ignoring his options to drag an effort past the post. Wilson is far from happy in the box.

Bogdan has been fantastic all evening, and he does his best Manuel Neuer impression to charge off the line and clear after Wilson beats the offside trap.

YELLOW CARD! Smith is just too quick on the right as he beats Ream to the ball, and the American is forced to accept a booking. Ritchie's delivery from the free kick is good, but Bolton manage to clear the danger.

PENALTY! It's a dreadful moment for Bolton. Kermorgant's pass to Wilson is inch-perfect, and he is pulled down by Dervite in the box. The referee has no other choice than to point to the spot and it's a RED CARD for Dervite.

PENALTY MISSED! Oh my, this is not very good. Kermorgant looks like the calmest man in Bournemouth, but he stuns the home supporters by sending the penalty over the crossbar. Can Bolton now produce a response, despite being a man down?

Great work from Wilson as he collects the ball with his back to goal before winning a free kick under pressure from Moxey. It looks like Ritchie might fancy his chances from about 30 yards.

Surman nudges the free kick to Ritchie, and there's gasps from the home supporters as he fires a powerful strike just over the crossbar.

Wilson has been a bit unfortunate tonight. He's been excellent, too, but another chance evades him when Bogdan comes off the line to get to Kermorgant's clever pass first.

GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 3-0 BOLTON (WILSON)

Bournemouth will be playing Premier League football next season. Pugh and Surman link up well on the left before the ball is pulled back to Wilson, who turns his marker with a stunning first touch before firing past Bogdan. Superb from the striker as he scores his 23rd of the season.

Changes from both manages before the restart as Brett Pitman comes on for Kermorgant and Kaiyne Woolery replaces Le Fondre for Bolton.

You've got to give so much credit to Bournemouth for their response to the pressure on them tonight. They look keen to add to their three goals in the closing stages as the 10 men of Bolton begin to tire at Dean Court.

SUBSTITUTION: Ritchie, one of the stars of the Championship, gets a standing ovation as Ryan Fraser comes off the bench for the hosts. Elphick then heads just wide from a free kick.

YELLOW CARD! Arter isn't happy, but the referee is right to get out the yellow card when the midfielder pulls back Danns. Bournemouth's fans don't seem to be too bothered as they continue with songs about the Premier League. You can't blame them!

Bolton win a free kick in a good position, but Bannan doesn't put enough pace on the ball and not even Heskey can climb high enough to head the ball back across goal.

CHANCE! It looks like another attack breaks down when Pugh loses control, but Arter threatens with a low strike which drifts just past the post.

SUBSTITUTION: Pugh, who opened the scoring with a brilliant goal earlier tonight, comes off to be replaced by Dan Gosling.

We're into the first of three added minutes at Dean Court. Bournemouth are nearly there, unless you believe a 20-goal swing is possible on the final day. Sorry Middlesbrough fans, that just isn't happening.

OFF THE BAR! Wilson almost scores his second of the night. An attempted pass to Arter is blocked, but the striker collects the loose ball before unleashing an effort which clips the woodwork.

FULL TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 3-0 BOLTON

I'd like to see anyone tell the Bournemouth fans that promotion isn't secure. They ignore the maths to charge onto the pitch to greet their heroes. Eddie Howe heads straight down the tunnel, but he must be absolutely delighted. Bournemouth have been fantastic this evening and they can start to plan for the Premier League.

Did anyone expect Bournemouth to become a Premier League side? It's a dream night for the club's supporters. Barring one of the strangest days in the history of football, the Cherries will be playing in the top flight of English football in August. That's all from our live coverage. Goodnight.

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Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe during the Pre Season Friendly match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton at The Goldsands Stadium on July 25, 2014
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