Adu-Adjei nets hattrick as Cherries seal playoff spot with 5-2 win over Wigan
The victory all but secured top spot in the South Group and a home playoff, with Brentford needing to overturn a 14-goal deficit in goal difference at home to Barnsley on Monday.
In front of 1,592 fans, Bournemouth made a flying start and raced out to a 3-0 lead after half an hour, Daniel Adu-Adjei netting twice either side of a Remy Rees-Dottin strike.
But Wigan got two back through Cole Simms and Llyton Chapman, as the hosts held a one goal lead at the break.
Alan Connell's side started the second half as they did the first and quickly extended their advantage back out to two, Dominic Sadi scoring inside the first minute of the half and Adu-Adjei completing his hattrick.
(Image: Sam Sheldon/AFC Bournemouth) That completed the scoring as Bournemouth confirmed their spot in the Professional Development League playoffs.
The Cherries got the game underway and took the lead after 85 seconds, Daniel Adu-Adjei netting his 21st goal in just 14 games, finishing after Dominic Sadi's shot from Ashley Clarke's cross was saved into his path.
There was a good opportunity for two after four minutes, Clarke shooting over the bar after being teed up by Ben Winterburn on the edge of the box.
And the Cherries went close again two minutes later, Sadi putting his effort wide after some neat footwork in the box.
Wigan had their first effort of the game with nine minutes on the clock, Cole Simms shooting straight at Callan McKenna in the Cherries net.
(Image: Sam Sheldon/AFC Bournemouth) It was 2-0 after 12 minutes, Adu-Adjei catching the defence out with a smart run into the box and slipped through by Sadi, the striker squaring it for Rees-Dottin for a simple finish.
Max Kinsey was not far away from heading home a brilliant free kick from Sadi after 20 minutes, before Kinsey was replaced by Koby Mottoh after 27 minutes, the centre back forced off in some discomfort.
The Cherries scored their 100th goal of the campaign and made it 3-0 after half an hour.
It was Adu-Adjei who scored his second of the game after a mesmerising Rees-Dottin run saw him dance past five Wigan defenders and finding Mottoh on the right, his cross turned home by the striker.
The Lactics got one back two minutes later as Simms fired into the bottom corner past Mckenna to reduce the deficit.
(Image: Sam Sheldon/AFC Bournemouth) Sadi drew a save out of Matteo Spinelli as he was played in over the top, before Ben Winterburn entered the book after 41 minutes.
The deficit was further reduced by the visitors as Llyton Chapman slid Jack Reilly in behind the Cherries defence and he smashed home past Mckenna.
Reilly fired wide moments later as the Lactics sought an equaliser before the break, but the hosts held onto their lead at the interval.
The Cherries made another fast start in the second half, Sadi firing into the bottom corner after 47 seconds of the half to extend the hosts' advantage back out to two.
And it was five for the Cherries as Adu-Adjei completed his third hattrick in ten games after 50 minutes, sweeping into the roof of the net from a Mottoh cross after Bournemouth won the ball high up the pitch.
Adu-Adjei had the ball in the back of the net after 61 minutes but Sadi was offside in the build up before Finn O'Boyle shot straight at Mckenna.
Archie Harris was replaced by Toure Williams before Ollie Morgan was booked.
(Image: Sam Sheldon/AFC Bournemouth) Mckenna made a big one-handed save onto the post as Leo Graham shot from a tight angle with just under 20 minutes to play.
Jonny Stuttle came off the bench after returning from his loan spell at Farnborough along with Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, the pair replacing Zain Silcott-Duberry and Clarke.
Simms fired at Mckenna with nine minutes to play, before Harold William made a fantastic last ditch sliding challenge as Simms raced through on goal.
Mckenna made a fantastic save from Harrison Bettoni with two minutes to play, before Adu-Adjei went through one-on-one with Spinelli, the stopper saving well with his head.
The Cherries saw out their comfortable win to see them through into the playoffs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bournemouth: Andoni Iraola refuses to discuss Bafoué Diakité situation
Bafoué Diakité The name of Guinean Bafoué Diakité has been linked to Bournemouth in recent hours. But when facing the press, coach Andoni Iraola dodges the topic. This is no mere rumor, Bournemouth have indeed targeted Bafoué Diakité to replace Illya Zabarnyi this summer. The Cherries have even put €40 million on the table to secure the services of the Guinea international. Asked about the topic by BBC Radio, coach Andoni Iraola remained evasive. "We're trying to sign central defenders after losing Dean (Huijsen) and Zabarnyi. I can't talk about players who aren't part of our squad. We need two new central defenders. Replacing those who have left will be impossible, but the club is working hard to find the best possible centre-backs." he said. We'll have to wait to learn what the future holds for Bafoué Diakité.
New York Times
16 hours ago
- New York Times
Tyler Adams interview: Pulisic criticism, rift with USMNT greats, World Cup prep
U.S. men's national team midfielder Tyler Adams was back in Chicago for a second time this summer. He had been in the Windy City with the U.S. team in the first days of June for its pre-Concacaf Gold Cup camp, where the United States' 2022 World Cup captain was intent on making a statement to head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the 2026 edition. Advertisement Now, in the first days of August, he was back, with AFC Bournemouth this time, on tour in the United States and preparing for the new Premier League season — a campaign he believes can be an important chance to level up at a vital time. (And with his club facing reigning champion Liverpool at Anfield in Friday's curtain-raiser, it won't be long before he's facing a first significant challenge.) That he was not only in the same city but the very same hotel felt symbolic. It was a reminder of the 26-year-old's approach to the year leading into that largely home World Cup next summer. Adams says he feels motivated and all-in. Adams' presence with the U.S. this summer shouldn't have been newsworthy. But for a Gold Cup that became as much about who wasn't in camp as who was, it was notable that the defensive midfielder was there despite a foot injury that kept him from fully training or playing in the first weeks of camp. Adams had gotten just one camp with Pochettino to that point since the Argentine's appointment in September last year, and he felt it was important to begin to prove himself and understand his new national-team manager better. 'It was a great learning experience,' Adams says. 'Just because I hadn't been in his initial camps to begin with. So I think a lot of guys had a lot more time with him than I've had. Just ironing out that relationship, what he wants from the players, how the players can get the best out of the coaching staff, just balancing that relationship. 'You hear about him in the way that he works, but until you spend a month with him, you don't really know. I've had the opportunity to do that now, so I feel like that will be really helpful in the long run, for not just myself, but a lot of the young guys that had the first opportunity as well.' While the U.S. was missing several regulars due to injury and Club World Cup duties, the controversy of the summer revolved around Christian Pulisic's decision to opt out of the Gold Cup. The Milan forward and sometimes USMNT captain felt he needed rest if he was going to be ready for the 2025-26 season — and, as an extension, primed for the World Cup. Advertisement Pochettino and his staff agreed to let him skip the tournament. But the coach, responding to Pulisic's comments to CBS that he wanted to take part in the two warm-up friendlies in June before missing the Gold Cup itself, was clearly bothered by the idea that those types of decisions would be left to the players. 'I am the head coach,' Pochettino said. 'I am not a mannequin.' It raised the question as to whether Pulisic will have to earn back the trust of the coaches — and maybe even his teammates, too. Adams pushes back hard on the idea that he had anything to prove. 'It's a topic that everyone wants to have an opinion on, of course, but what Christian did is what he had to do for himself,' Adams says. 'He doesn't have to earn the respect of anyone in the group. Everyone knows who Christian is as a person, and how good of a player he is as well. But everyone needs time in certain moments of their career or life to just say: 'Let me take a step back, focus on myself for a second and then move forward'. 'I speak to Christian all the time. We're obviously super-close. And I just know that this summer, while he took a step away, he didn't anticipate that there was going to be that much noise and heat around it. But again, everyone wants to throw his name in the gutter because it creates a big story, or it creates noise around (the team). And that's how big of a player he is and how important of a player he is. But everyone in the team knows how important he is, what an amazing person he is. 'I can't say enough good things about him. He's one of the leaders of our team. The decision that he made was best for him, and it's going to help him in the long run.' Pulisic's absence didn't just spark criticism. It also turned a spotlight on what feels like a growing divide between the program's current players and its alumni, many of whom have taken on roles in the media. Advertisement Several former USMNT players harshly criticized the team for its disappointing performances in the Concacaf Nations League finals in March, pointing to a perceived lack of heart or passion in losses to Panama and Canada. Multiple high-profile predecessors then offered thoughts on Pulisic's Gold Cup absence, including Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. The comments from Donovan and Howard eventually led to Pulisic's CBS interview. 'You can talk about my performances, whatever you want, but to question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion, that's way out of line, but that's how it is,' Pulisic told the Call It What You Want podcast. Asked about what feels like a disconnect between players past and present in the program, Adams calls it 'the strangest thing.' 'I can't even explain it,' he says. 'I'm not a social-media guy, so I don't follow anything, but when people bring up some of the things that are being said and some of the stories that are being created, it feels weird, because it feels like not long ago that every single one of those people were on board with, like, the direction that the federation was going and how well the players were doing. And it feels like any setback, is (treated) like a disaster is happening. Do you know what I mean? 'And that happens in football. I get it. Some people have jobs where their job is to speak about the sport, and if that's their opinion, that's their opinion. My goal is to try to create an environment, especially within our team, where guys feel like they can go out, be themselves, be comfortable. We're all on the same page and want to grow the sport in America. People's opinions are people's opinions at the end of the day.' Adams says he's 'always a truthful guy' and that 'the truth can hurt sometimes,' so he doesn't shy away from tougher conversations. That would include talks with former players who have criticisms, or with coaches who might want more from him, or initiating difficult conversations with teammates when the time calls for it. Advertisement It's part of what has made Adams one of the leaders of this team. He called being the U.S. captain in the 2022 World Cup 'one of the most special moments of my career,' and though center-back Tim Ream has been wearing the armband most regularly under Pochettino – no official captain has been designated yet by the new manager – Adams says he will continue to be himself and help to the lead the group. His goal for now, though, is to progress at the club level this season. He noted that this is his first chance to go through a full preseason in three years, and after having a full campaign last year without an injury, 2025-26 with Bournemouth is about reaching his peak form going into next summer. 'This past season gave me the confidence that I needed to now say: 'You could take the next step. Let's take another step in development. Take a step in pushing yourself',' Adams says. There is no doubt that as the USMNT continues to push through what has been a tumultuous two years, it would benefit significantly from having Adams consistently available and in the lineup, much as he was throughout the previous World Cup cycle ending wth the tournament itself in Qatar. The Gold Cup was a huge step forward in that regard. Adams feels confident he's rounding into form at just the right moment. 'Now it's like: 'OK, I'm back to myself, I feel like myself',' he said. 'I've had a nice break. I'm going to be able to get a nice preseason. And (then) it's go time.' Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Diakite in UK for medical as Cherries agree deal with Lille for centre back
BAFODE Diakite is in the UK for a medical ahead of a move to AFC Bournemouth, the Daily Echo understands. The centre back is set to become the second most expensive signing for the Cherries, with a deal agreed with Lille for €35million with a potential €5million in add-ons. The club have been in the market for a centre back since Dean Huijsen left at the end of last season, and, with Illia Zabarnyi looking to be on the way out too, the Cherries have reached an agreement to sign the 24-year-old. Diakite will become the third signing of the summer for Bournemouth, after the arrival of Adrien Truffert and Djordje Petrovic from Rennes and Chelsea respectively. Junior Kroupi has also linked up with the squad for the first time after signing in January. The French centre back has made a total of 112 appearances for Lille, scoring 13 goals. Last season, he played 48 times and found the back of the net four times. He began his career at Toulouse and rode through the ranks there, before joining Lille in the summer of 2022. Diakite has been capped up to under-21 level by France.
