Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Junior Stanislas’ double keeps Cherries in promotion race

Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Junior Stanislas’ double keeps Cherries in promotion race as Chris Hughton’s side slump to another defeat

  • Junior Stanislas scored twice as Bournemouth beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 
  • He opened the scoring in the third minute after a long ball from David Brooks
  • The striker then converted a penalty after Jack Colback fouled Dominic Solanke 
  • The Cherries stay second while Forest remain in the bottom half of the table 

Junior Stanislas struck twice to keep Bournemouth in the Championship promotion hunt with victory over struggling Nottingham Forest.

The opener came after just three minutes and a second-half penalty sealed the points as the hosts dominated for long stretches at a deserted Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries sit one point behind leaders Norwich, while Forest are two places and three points above the drop zone.

Two goals from Junior Stanislas gave Bournemouth a 2-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest

Stanislas opened the scoring in the third minute after meeting a long ball from David Brooks

Stanislas opened the scoring in the third minute after meeting a long ball from David Brooks

The striker finished cooly to put the ball beyond the on-rushing Brice Samba in the Forest goal

The striker finished cooly to put the ball beyond the on-rushing Brice Samba in the Forest goal

‘We need to not only go on an unbeaten run but try and go on a winning run and win three, four, five, six games, said Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall.

‘That has to be our aim. We just need to make sure we deliver the performances to do that.’

There was also praise for in-form winger David Brooks, who created the opening goal and caused problems all night.

Bournemouth's Jason Tindall admits his side need a strong run to boost their promotion hopes

Bournemouth’s Jason Tindall admits his side need a strong run to boost their promotion hopes

Tindall added: ‘His ability is fantastic, we know that, it is about him playing games continuously, consistently. We know if we get him out on the pitch he will go and deliver those type of performances.

‘He is a great lad to work with, he works extremely hard, he wants to do well and has so much quality and is an asset to the football club. He is playing with a smile on his face.’

Fresh from their comeback win against Reading on Saturday, the hosts made a flying start as Brooks floated a wonderful ball over the top for the onrushing Stanislas to register his first goal of the season.

Tindall highlighted the performance of David Brooks (right) in the victory over Forest

Tindall highlighted the performance of David Brooks (right) in the victory over Forest

Forest came close as Lyle Taylor flashed a header wide before Arnaut Danjuma charged up the other end, jinked into the box and drew a close-range save from Brice Samba at the near post.

Sammy Ameobi cut inside and fired a shot straight at Asmir Begovic but Bournemouth began to take control with the lively Brooks pulling the strings from out wide.

Just before the break, the Wales international danced in from the right and laid the ball back for Stanislas but his goal-bound effort was hacked off the line.

The hosts kept pressing after the break, and the reward came when Jack Colback felled Dominic Solanke just inside the area.

Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot and Stanislas hammered home in emphatic style.

Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Jack Colback brought down Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Jack Colback brought down Dominic Solanke

Stanislas converted the spot-kick to double the home side's advantage in the 51st minute

Stanislas converted the spot-kick to double the home side’s advantage in the 51st minute

Begovic was called upon to palm away a fierce drive from Ameobi and from the resulting corner Ryan Yates somehow nodded over from two yards out as the Cherries stood firm to win three straight league games for the first time since 2016.

Forest boss Chris Hughton was left frustrated by the penalty that sealed defeat.

He said: ‘Having seen it, you can’t give it. The initial contact is outside the box, I know there is a lot of debate – some think yes and some think no – but if there is a little bit of a grey area, you have to err on the side of caution. You can’t give it.’

MATCH FACTS AND STATS

Bournemouth (4-3-2-1): Begovic; Smith; Mepham; S. Cook; Kelly; Lerma (Rico 79); L. Cook; Stanislas; Brooks (Gosling 71); Danjuma; Solanke

Subs not used: Travers, Surridge, Ofoborh, Simpson, Billing, Anthony 

Scorers: Stanislas 3, 51 (pen) 

Booked: L.Cook; Gosling

Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Samba; Christie; Figueiredo; McKenna; Bong; Yates; Colback; Arter (Guerrero 76); Ameobi; Lolley (Knockaert 60); Taylor

Booked: Arter (after the full-time whistle) 

Subs not used: Smith, Bong, Mbe Soh, Jenkinson, Cafu, Ioannou, Swan