Bournemouth overcame Huddersfield with a clinical 2-0 victory in West-Yorkshire courtesy of goals from Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser.
The duo combined in emphatic fashion to give the Cherries their 11th league win of the season whilst the Terriers maintain their downwards trajectory towards the realms of Championship football in 2019/20.
Callum Wilson back on the score sheet to end Bournemouth’s away woes
Callum Wilson scored on his return to action as Bournemouth halted their away-day blues at Huddersfield. The England international and Scottish winger Ryan Fraser notched a goal and an assist each as Bournemouth cruised to a 2-0 win at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, ending a run of four Premier League games without a win.
Wilson, who had been sidelined since January with a knee problem, forced home Ryan Fraser’s cross to put the Cherries ahead in the first half.
The same duo combined for Bournemouth’s second goal after the break, with Wilson crossing for Fraser to sweep home his sixth Premier League goal of the season and secure the south coast side’s first away win since October.
Huddersfield, looking to secure back-to-back home wins for the first time since November 2017, were full of effort but their lack of killer instinct again let them down. With just 15 goals scored so far this season, Huddersfield have the least potent attack in the Premier League, and though they had their fair share of possession, they once again struggled to create chances.
They matched their opponents in managing eight efforts at goal, but only one of those was on target – a tame first-half shot by Steve Mounie that was easily saved by Artur Boruc.
The 2-0 scoreline was enough to condemn bottom side Huddersfield to their 22nd defeat in 30 games this season, while Bournemouth remain 12th on 37 points.
Here are the talking points of a result which left the home side 16 points adrift of safety.
Wilson adds much-needed movement and ruthlessness with Southgate watching on
The 27-year-old England international now has seven goals in six league appearances against Huddersfield and he must have been pleased to see England manager Gareth Southgate in the stands.
Southgate names his squad on Wednesday for European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro later this month and Wilson, who scored on his England debut in November, certainly made a strong case for inclusion.
The striker showed few signs of rustiness despite this being his first appearance since 19 January. His return also seemed to bring the best out of Bournemouth’s other attacking players, with King, Fraser and Brooks all impressing.
Wilson had already seen an early effort well blocked by Huddersfield keeper Lossl by the time he escaped his marker at the far post to chest home Fraser’s cross for the opener – his 50th league goal for the club in his 138th appearance.
‘An outstanding player, he has got unique attributes for us’, said Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe. ‘He had a couple of chances and it was good to see him score. Also impressive was his assist for Ryan, a great reverse pass.’
On Southgate’s presence at the John Smith’s Stadium, Howe added: ‘My priority is to make sure Callum is fit and fine for Bournemouth.’
Wilson was the difference between the two sides, showing Huddersfield’s strikers how it is done, linking up with his team-mates brilliantly and taking his chance when it came. That is now three successive games that Wilson has found the net, taking his league tally to 11 which, given injuries have restricted his playing time, is a mighty fine return.
Away attacking groove must have pleased Howe
Granted, Huddersfield don’t represent the most challenging of opposition to face, but Eddie Howe would have loved the fact that his attacking quartet of Wilson, King, Fraser and Brooks had their groove back.
He would hope to have them back fit for the remaining eight games of the season in his bid to secure a top 10 finish for the second season running. Manchester City passed Bournemouth into an impotent stupor last weekend – Howe’s generally expansive side unable to register a shot or win a corner in the most one-sided of 1-0 defeats. Huddersfield obviously represented an entirely different proposition to the Premier League champions, but Wilson, Fraser, Brooks and King operating together would be enough to trouble any opponent.
The cross for Wilson’s goal was Fraser’s 10th assist of the Premier League season, drawing him one behind Chelsea star Eden Hazard, who is the most prolific provider in the division. Bright and inventive throughout, the Scotland international’s link-up play with Brooks was delightful and he settled any nerves stemming from his fellow winger’s injury almost instantly.
The class and cohesion on display from his attacking quartet was the most glaring difference between the sides and Howe will hope an apparent calf injury setback for Brooks is not too serious.
Huddersfield have reasons to worry beyond the drop
A 22nd Premier League defeat of the season all but ends Huddersfield’s chances of avoiding relegation, with head coach Jan Siewert calling the performance “unacceptable”. The German, who has now lost five of his six games in charge, admitted beforehand that this was a “must win” if the Terriers were to avoid the drop.
The Yorkshire club beat Wolves in their last game at the John Smith’s Stadium, but never looked like threatening a repeat here.
“Not a good feeling at all. I am sorry for everyone who came here because this is not the football I can play with this team. We were unacceptable,” Siewert told BBC Match of the Day. “I don’t know why it is, talk to the players.
“There was no conversation. After the game I looked at the goals, saw what happened and I will talk to them tomorrow morning.” There is no doubting the effort and commitment of the players, but their lack of cutting edge in front of goal once again proved costly.
Fraser impact doubles with Wilson and Brooks in the side
Scotsman Fraser was a shadow of himself in the last few games, the primary reason being cited as the lack of movement and the defensive mindedness of Howe. His love for Wilson and Brooks is well known.
“When he [Wilson] was injured I was saying, ‘When you back? When you back?’ And he would say, ‘Three weeks’, and then, ‘Two weeks’, and I was thinking, come on! When you play with the talent he has, it brings the best out of everyone in the team. It shows he was a big miss for us.
“We knew they would have the ball and sometimes we are the best on the counter-attack. We have the players to do it and today was a good team defensive performance and a clean sheet as well.
“We have always been looking up the table, our aim is to try and get seventh, we know we have hard games coming up but if we focus and work hard we can do it.”
The dimension these four bring is the primary reason Bournemouth find themselves in mid table comfort.
What’s next for both?
Huddersfield face a trip to the capital next to take on West Ham while Bournemouth host Newcastle next.
