Barnsley 0-4 Bournemouth: Cherries thrash Tykes at Oakwell to go top of the Championship
- First half goals from Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke put Cherries in charge
- Diego Rico and Sam Surridge also on the scoresheet to seal huge win at Barnsley
- Bournemouth now two points clear of second placed Norwich City in the table
- The defeat leaves the south Yorkshire side 14th in the Championship table
Bournemouth reclaimed top spot in the Championship with a masterclass in finishing against mid-table Barnsley.
Two clinical first-half strikes from Phil Billing and Dominic Solanke were followed by a sumptuous free-kick from Diego Rico and a stinging Sam Surridge shot as Jason Tindall’s team made light of the inhospitable conditions.
Despite the close-to-freezing temperature and incessant rain, Danish midfielder Billing clearly enjoyed his return to Yorkshire.
Bournemouth have moved two points clear of Norwich City at the top of the Championship
Bournemouth had already squandered a couple of invites to open the scoring when they took a 12th-mjnute lead through their £15million recruit from Huddersfield.
Just 60 seconds in, Surridge should have embarrassed Jack Walton but dragged his shot wide after the Barnsley goalkeeper hared 40 yards from his line bit failed to get the ball.
Then, a moment’s hesitation cost Solanke as Michael Sollbauer slid in to block his effort on the run after Billing’s through ball split the home defence.
In contrast, Billing did not pass up his chance when offered a sight of goal, taking Adam Smith’s pass in his stride and decisively driving left-footed into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Danish international midfielder Philip Billing gave the Cherries the lead at mid-table Barnsley
Dominic Solanke struck just before half time to put the south coast club firmly in control
It capped a stunning team breakout from deep and came immediately after two Asmir Begovic saves in quick succession at the other end.
The second came courtesy of a Barnsley mistake as Lewis Cook stole possession in the opposition half, allowing Solanke’s to stride clear and thrash underneath Walton at his near post.
Spanish left-back Rico curled in his first goal in English football after Surridge was felled seven minutes after the break to make it 3-0.
And Walton could not keep out Surridge’s powerful drive midway through the second period, the ball squirming from his grasp and sliding over the goalline.
left-back Diego Rico made it 3-0 to the Cherries shortly after half time with a fine free kick
Sam Surridge scored the fourth to seal a wonderful night for Jason Tyndall’s side in Yorkshire
Not that Barnsley, rejuvenated since the arrival of Valerien Ismael as head coach six weeks ago, were without chances themselves.
Begovic fisted out Alex Mowatt’s cultured long-ranger, and then foiled Mads Andersen at point-blank range when the game was goalless.
And time and again, low crosses fizzed across the Bournemouth six-yard box without a decisive touch, as Conor Chaplin proved a constant menace when switching to the left.
But Bournemouth’s defence remained unbreached as they reclaimed the lead in the division’s promotion race from another of the relegated teams in Norwich.
Barnsley, meanwhile, were fortunate to finish with 11 men after referee Keith Stroud took a lenient view of Andersen’s two-footed poleaxing of substitute Dan Gosling a quarter of an hour from the end.
Source link