Marcus Tavernier's 49th-minute goal helped Bournemouth record a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

A largely uneventful affair at Molineux was decided early in the second period, with Tavernier converting from a Dominic Solanke cross to secure a vital three points for the Cherries.

The victory is Bournemouth's first in the league since November 12, and it has moved them out of the relegation zone into 17th position, just two points behind 15th-placed Wolves.

Wolves made the stronger start to proceedings, putting the pressure on with a number of dangerous deliveries into the box, and a corner from Joao Moutinho in the seventh minute was only just dealt with following a period of panic.

Pablo Sarabia was seeing plenty of the ball for the home side, and the recent arrival had the game's first serious chance in the 22nd minute when he was found by Nelson Semedo inside the penalty box, but the Spaniard could only strike into the body of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.

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Adama Traore tried his luck in the 41st minute, but the attacker's effort was comfortable for Neto, who was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening half that lacked quality in the final third of the field.

Bournemouth took the lead early in the second half, though, with Solanke driving into a wide position before crossing into Tavernier, who diverted the ball into the back of the net from close range.

A number of substitutions and bookings harmed the flow of the match in the spell that followed, which is just what Bournemouth would have wanted, with Wolves becoming more and more frustrated.

The home side's best chance of a leveller came late on through Raul Jimenez, but the Mexican headed Sarabia's cross wide of the target, with Bournemouth securing a vital three points at Molineux.

Wolves will continue their Premier League campaign away to Fulham next Friday, while Bournemouth will be back in action at home to the champions Manchester City next Saturday.