Bournemouth 3 Middlesbrough 1 match report: Cherries avoid upset with second-half salvo
Jack Simpson, Callum Wilson and Benik Afobe on target in victory for Prem outfit
CALLUM WILSON fired Bournemouth into the League Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in the club’s 118-year history.
Wilson made a stunning return to first team action after recovering from his second serious knee operation in two years.
And the former Coventry striker kept a cool head on 75 minutes when he slotted home a penalty to kill off Middlesbrough.
The spot-kick was awarded when Boro’s Dale Fry fouled Bournemouth’s debut boy and hero Jack Simpson in the box.
Simpson, 20, had fired the Cherries ahead on 49 minutes a sweet volley from Ryan Fraser’s corner.
But just seven minutes later Middlesbrough teenager Marcus Tavernier appeared to break Simpson’s heart when he threatened to force extra-time with an equaliser.
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Adama Traore slipped an inviting ball through to the the academy player who capped his second Cup appearance by smashing the ball past home goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
The Cherries made eight changes to the side that claimed their first Premier League away win of the season at Stoke giving under-21 defender Simpson his first start.
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Boro kept just one player, Daniel Ayala, from the side that was booed off the pitch at the weekend after losing to Cardiff in the Championship.
But the Dean Court fans gave a big cheer to Wilson who was starting his first game since January.
And Wilson came so close to opening the scoring on 18 minutes when he drove a loose ball a yard wide from 12 yards.
Lys Mousset had gone even closer earlier when he headed home Ryan Fraser’s free-kick but was denied by an offside flag.
Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos did well to block Daniel’s fierce shot but Fraser should have done better than knock the rebound wide.
Traore looked a real threat for Boro especially when he smashed a long range effort wide with the home side backtracking just before the break.
But the Cherries took the lead from a surprising source when Simpson volleyed home Fraser’s corner despite having his shirt pulled.
Traore then set-up former Newcastle youngster Tavernier, wearing the number 62 shirt, to remake it 1-1 much to the joy of the Boro fans who had made the 650 mile round journey.
But Wilson had the final word when he tucked away his spot-kick and then set-up substitute Benik Afobe's with a simple third seven minutes from time.
The Cup exit just added more pressure on Boro boss Garry Monk who has not enjoyed a win for six games.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Smith 6, Simpson 7, Cook 6, Daniels 6, Fraser 6, Arter 6, Gosling 6, Pugh 6, Mousset 5, Wilson 8. Subs: Afobe 7, Ibe 6, Ake 6.