The Cherries leave the Liberty Stadium disappointed, despite ending their five game losing streak. Bournemouth's defensive frailties oncw again proved costly, as Eddie Howe's men spurn a two goal lead in Wales.
Goals from Joshua King and Dan Gosling had given the visitors the lead, before Andre Ayew and Jonjo Shelvey restored the stalemate in an entertaining game at the Liberty Stadium.
Bournemouth take early lead
Inside the opening ten minutes, a defensive mix up gifted the visitors a shock lead. A lethargic clearance from Kyle Bartley deflected off the back of Sung Yeung Ki and into the path of Junior Stanislas on the right flank. After controlling the ball, the English winger fired the ball low across goal to Joshua King who, subsequently was able to comfortably slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
Minutes after going behind, the home side came close to re-establishing the stalemate. Brought in for the miss-firing Bafetimbi Gomis, Portuguese international Eder came close to opening his account for the 2015/16 Premier League season when a Leon Britton corner kick was flicked on at the near post by Andre Ayew. However, after latching onto the flick on, Gomis saw a headed effort on goal palmed well clear of danger by Adam Federici.
Despite almost relinquishing their lead, Bournemouth proved to be hugely dominant throughout the opening twenty minutes. Stanislas though that he had given The Cherries a two goal cushion in the 19th minute; however, his brilliant volleyed effort which nestled in the bottom right corner of Lukasz Fabianski’s net was chalked off due the winger being offside from Simon Francis’ initial cross from the right flank.
On the 25th minute, Bournemouth deservedly doubled their lead through Dan Gosling. A wonderful free-flowing counter attack from Eddie Howe’s men culminated in the ball being played to Matt Richie on the right side of the penalty area. The 26-year old feigned intentions of rifling the ball goalward before coolly sliding the ball into the path of Dan Gosling, who emphatically side footed past Fabianski and into the top corner of the net.
Moments later, an audacious back heel from Andre Ayew reduced the deficit. After The Cherries failed to adequately clear Wayne Routledge’s cross from the right flank, Jonjo Shelvey headed the ball back into the penalty area, where an unmarked Ayew was able to control the ball before backheeling into the bottom left hand corner.
Swansea City draw level
Although outplayed for large periods of the first half, the home side were able to capitalise upon Bournemouth’s defensive frailties to equalise before the half-time whistle. Francis’ clipping of the heels of Andre Ayew on the left of the penalty area, led to Jonjo Shelvey coolly slotting the resulting penalty kick into the right corner of the goal.
Bournemouth continued their dominance at the start of the second half, and came close to re-taking the lead through Steve Cook. The towering centre back volleyed the ball just wide of the foot of the left post, after a corner kick was curled into the back post area.
The home side’s second half performance was hugely disappointing. Despite coming from two goals behind, Gary Monk’s men had seemingly gained very little confidence from this feat, and were therefore overrun by a hungry Bournemouth outfit. In spite of their territorial dominance throughout the second half, Eddie Howe’s men were unable to test Fabianski in the Swansea goal. Although the ball was played around the park beautifully on occasion, the final pass proved to be lacking for the visitors.
The result means that Bournemouth remain in the relegation zone, while Swansea City sit just five points above The Cherries in the Premier League table.