Bournemouth edge out nine-man West Brom

Scott Anderson
Adam Smith: Signs new Cherries deal

Adam Smith: Signs new Cherries deal

Bournemouth beat nine-man West Brom at The Hawthorns courtesy of goals from Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels. 

Daniels’ late penalty gave the in-form Cherries a third successive Premier League win as they triumphed 2-1 at nine-man West Brom.

The defender fired in after Dan Gosling had been brought down by Darren Fletcher with just three minutes left.

Gareth McAuley looked to have rescued a point for the Baggies when he cancelled out Smith’s second-half opener.

Albion had to play almost an hour with 10 men after James McClean was dismissed for a wild lunge at Smith as he looked for revenge following a tackle between the pair just 10 seconds before.

James McClean: Saw red at The Hawthorns

James McClean: Saw red at The Hawthorns

And Salmon Rondon was sent off in injury time after an altercation with Gosling to complete the late drama.

Defeat was Tony Pulis’ 100th as a Premier League manager and ended the Baggies’ four-match unbeaten run.

It also increased the Baggies’ home woes as only Aston Villa (two) have won fewer points at home than Albion (eight).

But victory saw the Cherries sitting five points clear of the drop zone and they were the better side from the off.

Bournemouth bossed the first half without breaking down a stubborn and organised West Brom side who offered little.

And the game was drifting towards half-time until McClean’s rush of blood brought things to the boil.

The midfielder had clashed with Smith just 10 seconds earlier after a 50-50 challenge left the Baggies man in a heap and, angered he did not get a foul, McClean dished out revenge.

He chased the ball as Matt Ritchie broke away and found Smith before hacking down the Cherries man to deservedly see red and leave Albion with a massive task.

The Cherries had already had 64 per cent of the possession in the first half and they ramped up the pressure on the Baggies towards the break.

Ritchie should have scored instead of planting a six-yard header wide under pressure from Chris Brunt – and they almost paid for the miss three minutes after the break.

Craig Dawson launched a long ball to Rondon, who controlled it well but saw his fierce half-volley turned over by Artur Boruc.

But the visitors deservedly took the lead on 52 minutes as Smith continued to be public enemy number one at The Hawthorns.

The midfielder was given far too much time to cut in from the right and he arrowed a low 20-yard drive into the bottom corner.

With 10 men Albion offered little immediate resistance and Stanislas hit the outside of the post 15 minutes later.

The Cherries looked comfortable but needed a brilliant header from Steve Cook to stop Stephane Sessegnon levelling.

Rickie Lambert was introduced with 15 minutes left as Saido Berahino remained on the bench until injury time to underline how far he remains out of Pulis’ current plans.

The Baggies levelled out of the blue with 11 minutes remaining when McAuley glanced Craig Gardner’s corner across goal and in off the far post from six yards.

The Cherries paid the price for not leaving a man on the line – but won it with three minutes left.

Gosling was felled in a tangle of legs by Fletcher as he burst into the box to allow Daniels to rifle in the spot-kick off the bar.

And Rondon was dismissed in stoppage time to compound Albion’s woes after an off the ball clash with Gosling.