We Are Not Safe Yet- Bournemouth Coach Tells Players
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has warned his players they still have work to do to secure top-flight safety as Burnley boosted their own survival hopes with victory at Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries, who remain 10 points clear of the bottom three despite the defeat, made the best possible start on the south coast as Ashley Barnes sent a header into his own net under pressure from Nathan Ake.
But Sean Dyche’s side responded brilliantly, scoring twice in as many first-half minutes to turn the game on its head.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic misjudged Ashley Westwood’s corner, allowing Chris Wood to nod into an empty net from point-blank range.
The turnaround was complete two minutes later when Westwood converted Chris Mepham’s poor clearance, before Barnes atoned for his early own goal by slotting home Wood’s cut-back in the second half.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say that we’re not safe,” said Howe.
“I don’t consider myself safe and on my holidays – and the players are the same. Until someone says we’re mathematically safe, that will be the case.
“You can’t take liberties in this game.”
The result lifts Burnley eight points above the relegation zone, two points and one place behind the Cherries.
Dyche praises players’ ‘calmness’ after Burnley comeback
A run of four straight defeats prior to last weekend’s 2-0 win over Wolves had left Burnley sliding alarmingly towards the drop zone.
Another reverse at Bournemouth would have increased the pressure on Dyche’s team before their game with fellow strugglers Cardiff next week, but the Clarets manager could hardly have wished for a better response from his players after such an early setback on the south coast.
Ake would have had a clear sight of goal had Barnes not tried to get a touch to Ryan Fraser’s inswinging free-kick, but the Burnley forward could only divert the ball beyond his own keeper Tom Heaton and into the corner of the net.
The visitors were gifted a route back into the game when Begovic completely misjudged Westwood’s corner, the Bosnian flapping at thin air before Wood directed his downward header into the net.
Burnley’s second was just as poor from a Cherries perspective. Dwight McNeil’s low cross should have been easily dealt with by Mepham, but the 21-year-old scuffed his clearance straight to Westwood, whose powerful effort beat Ake on the goalline.
For the Clarets’ third, Bournemouth appeared to switch off while appealing for a throw-in on the Burnley left and the visitors took full advantage, Wood beating Begovic to a low cross before teeing up Barnes.
Dyche’s side could have added a fourth late on, but Ben Mee failed to hit the target with a far-post header.
