Report and highlights as Huddersfield edge closer to the drop
Saturday 9 March 2019 19:52, UK
Fit-again Callum Wilson starred in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate as Bournemouth earned a 2-0 win at Huddersfield.
Making his first start since mid-January, Wilson chested home his 50th league goal for Bournemouth to break the deadlock with just 20 minutes on the clock
Then, to further enhance his chances of being in Southgate's squad for England's upcoming European Championship qualifiers, Wilson turned provider for Ryan Fraser, who stroked home Bournemouth's second in the 66th minute.
Huddersfield offered very little in resistance, as they remain on just seven league goals at home, with the defeat meaning they are now a colossal 16 points from safety at the foot of the table, while Bournemouth's first away Premier League win since October keeps them in 12th, nine clear of the bottom three.
After a scrappy opening, Wilson brought a smart save from Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl from the angle, before the first move of real quality brought the opening goal of the game.
David Brooks, fresh from penning a new Bournemouth deal this week, threaded the ball through for Fraser, who raced clear, fired the ball across for Wilson, who steered the ball home with his chest from underneath the crossbar.
Huddersfield looked more than toothless in attack, with the poor final pass again restricting them to half chances while, down the other end, Brooks was picking passes, threading the ball through for Josh King, who dragged his effort wide.
Huddersfield were denied a penalty ten minutes into the second half, but Alex Pritchard's tumble was not deemed a foul.
Seven minutes later, Fraser and Wilson - the Premier League's most deadly link-up duo - had combined once more, with Wilson showing great awareness to pull it back for Fraser to finish.
Josh King had two good chances to make the win more comfortable, but fluffed his lines both times as Bournemouth brought an end to their barren run on the road with consummate ease.
Jan Siewert: "I can't defend the performance today. The performance in the first half was not good, and the performance in the second half was a bit better but it was not good. I feel sorry for the fans who came here today.
"This was not my kind of football. Everyone saw my style against Wolverhampton, everyone saw my attitude. I fought for the club, and I have fought for the club since I am here, so the way we played today was unacceptable for me."
Eddie Howe: "Callum was excellent today, as was Josh King - they caused lots of problems today. It is testament to Callum's professionalism that he is able to play 90 minutes, he has worked hard on his comeback.
"We need it [the away win] for a whole host of reasons. To get out supporters to come all this way, and they have supported us week in, week out, there has been no ill feeling from the stands and they deserved that win today."
Not a bad day to net a goal and an assist with Southgate in attendance. 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.
Huddersfield face a trip to the capital next to take on West Ham, Bournemouth host Newcastle next.
