Bonus for Billing as Bournemouth go top

Posted Sunday, October 03, 2021 by PA

Philip Billing was the match-winner as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 and claim top spot.

The Cherries’ status as the last remaining EFL team yet to taste defeat looked under threat when Morgan Gibbs-White gave United the lead 11 minutes into the second half.

But Scott Parker’s side hit back with two goals in the space of four minutes – a controversially-awarded Dominic Solanke penalty followed by Billing’s strike which snatched victory.

United had taken just four points from their first five away games but had the better of a first half played in torrential rain.

With only two minutes played Ben Osborn tested the reactions of Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers with a cross-cum-shot which the Irishman did well to turn behind for a corner.

Billing’s eighth minute 25-yard free-kick forced Robin Olsen into a flying save.

Olsen then had a let-off after playing a clearance straight to Billing, but the Denmark midfielder put a tame shot straight into the relieved goalkeeper’s arms.

Billy Sharpe had two opportunities to work Travers but the veteran hitman was in an unusually forgiving mood.

First in the 28th minute, Osborn fizzed in a teasing cross, but Sharpe lifted his shot high over the crossbar from close range.

Then seven minutes later, Sharpe seized on a poor touch from Lloyd Kelly inside his own penalty area but again failed to hit the target.

Arguably the visitors’ best chance came six minutes before the break when Oliver Norwood’s corner found its way to Ben Davies at the far post, but he headed over.

Solanke should have put Bournemouth in front within two minutes of the re-start.

Jordan Zemura got in behind the United defence before putting it on a plate for Solanke whose weak initial shot was blocked by Enda Stevens before Olsen saved the striker’s tame rebound effort.

Solanke’s misery was compounded when Gibbs-White fired the visitors in front in the 56th minute.

Sharpe outmuscled Zemura before cutting the ball back for Gibbs-White to slide in and score.

Bournemouth were gifted the chance to level six minutes later when Stevens was adjudged to have brought down Solanke.

United were adamant the tackle took place outside the box but Solanke ignored their appeals to rifle home from 12 yards.

The game was turned on its head three minutes later as Billing calmly side-footed Bournemouth into the lead from 12 yards after being teed up by Ryan Christie.

Zemura could have put the game to bed 11 minutes from time after racing on to Solanke’s clever back-heel but shot into the side netting.

United came agonisingly close to equalising in stoppage time when Bournemouth old-boy Lys Mousset headed against the crossbar from two yards.