Junior Stanislas stars as Bournemouth go top of the Championship after victory over Wycombe

Bournemouth had to be patient on Tuesday night against a resolute Wycombe outfit, however, the Cherries were able to pick up their win thanks to Junior Stanislas’ second half tap-in to go top of the league.

Jason Tindall’s men were the dominant force on the south-coast with the likes of David Brooks and Dominic Solanke heavily involved in play, but it was an old face who was the key man for the Cherries; Junior Stanislas.

The 31-year-old has been at the Vitality Stadium for six-and-a-half-years now and still looks to be a key asset for the Cherries this term as they target instant promotion back to the Premier League.

With 20 Premier League goals during the south-coast club’s five-year stay in the top-flight, Stanislas was always a decent option for the Cherries, not always a starter, but a player who could certainly be relied upon to come off of the bench and make an impact.

Now playing his trade in the Championship, the tricky winger will certainly be key for Jason Tindall for the remaining two-thirds of the campaign, and he proved that on Tuesday night.

Every time Bournemouth went forward, Stanislas was involved. The former West Ham and Burnley player would occasionally swap flanks with teammate David Brooks, but the winger was certainly more comfortable on the left-hand side. 

Whether it be taking his man on or picking out a teammate in space, it was clear that the 31-year-old’s primary intention was to get the ball forward and, eventually, into the back of the net.

In the first-half, Stanislas had a few curling efforts go wide, as well as some decent free-kick deliveries that couldn’t be converted by his Cherries teammates.

Despite the contest being goalless at half-time, you could sense that Bournemouth’s goal was coming, having knocked on the Wanderers’ door throughout the opening period. You also felt that after a lively half from both Stanislas and Brooks, it would be one or the other involved in the goal that would eventually come.

In fact, it was both of them. After seeing Alex Pattison sent off for a reckless challenge, Wycombe conceded just minutes later. David Brooks ran into space and played a perfectly weighted ball across goal for Stanislas to tap in his sixth league goal of the season with ease. 

Wycombe did have their chances on the night with both Garath McCleary and Adebayo Akinfenwa forcing Asmir Begovic into decent saves. However, there was little doubt that once Bournemouth had their goal, they would hold on to victory.

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