Stanislas double keeps Bournemouth on Norwich’s heals

Bournemouth kept the pressure up on Norwich City at the top of the Championship thanks to a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium.

Goals at the start of each half from Junior Stanislas proved to be the difference as Jason Tindall’s side made it three wins on the bounce.

The first chance of the game came for ex-Bournemouth man Harry Arter, with the midfielder driving into space in the box but his effort was well off target and didn’t challenge Asmir Begovic.

Just moments later, the Cherries took the lead thanks to a great ball over the top from David Brooks, finding  Stanislas who applied a calm finish beyond Brice Samba.

The home side’s electric start continued and the nearly doubled their lead through Arnaut Danjuma, who nutmegged Cyrus Christie with a dummy before driving towards goal and seeing his low effort saved by Samba.

The away side looked to respond through striker Lyle Taylor but his effort from a Christie cross was well off target and didn’t trouble the home side.

Brooks found some space and worked his way into the box but his effort was just wide of the target as the Cherries pressed for a second on the half hour mark.

As the half grew, the Cherries dominance continued and they should have doubled their advantage just before the break, Brooks picking out an unmarked Stanislas in the box but the number 19 saw his effort brilliantly blocked on the line by Scott McKenna.

It took the hosts just a matter of minutes to create their first chance of the second half, Brooks once more instrumental, gliding into the box before finding Stanislas who’s effort was wide of the post.

Just minutes later, the home side had doubled their lead after Dominic Solanke was tripped in the box by visiting captain Jack Colback, allowing Stanislas to slot home from the spot and put his side in full control.

Forest looked for an immediate response and carved out an opportunity following some fine interplay which saw the ball end with Yates who struck it straight at Begovic.

Two great chances came in quick succession for Chris Hughton’s side, firstly Sammy Ameobi struck one goalwards which was well tipped over by Begovic, before sub Antony Knockaert picked out Yates at the back post but he somehow couldn’t get his header on target as it went over the top.

The result keeps Bournemouth a point behind league leaders Norwich who won 3-2 at Stoke City. The Cherries head to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon, while Forest host high flying Swansea on Sunday lunchtime at the City Ground.

AFC Bournemouth: Begovic, Cook, Kelly, Mepham, Brooks, Lerma, Solanke, Danjuma, Smith, Cook, Stansislas

Subs: Travers, Gosling, Surridge, Riquelme, Rico, Ofoborh, Simpson, Billing, Antony

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Cristie, Figueiredo, Colback, Ameobi, Bong, Yates, Lolley, McKenna, Arter, Taylor

Subs: Smith, Ribeiro, Soh, Jenkinson, Cafu, Guerrero, Knockaert, Loannou, Swan

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