CHERRIES maintained their winning start to pre-season with an entertaining 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Goals from Lys Mousset and Benik Afobe either side of Conor Chaplin’s effort handed Eddie Howe’s side success in their first warm-up clash on British soil.

Boss Howe utilised the vast majority of his matchday squad, with no fewer than 21 players getting a run out.

Among those were goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Jermain Defoe, who made their first appearances since joining in the summer, the latter from the bench.

Former Dean Court striker Brett Pitman skippered Pompey having last week completed a permanent transfer from Ipswich Town.

Before kick-off, there was a minute’s applause for Bradley Lowery, the mascot whose funeral was attended by England international Defoe.

Pompey carved out the first chance of note when Chaplin headed Kyle Bennett’s cross straight at Begovic after Tyrone Mings had failed to clear.

However, in the ninth minute, Cherries seized the lead. Afobe found his way to the by-line and pulled back for Mousset, who in acres of space, calmly side-footed high into the net.

Pitman and Bennett replied by trying their luck from range, without success, while at the other end Afobe dragged wide when well placed.

Pompey were very much in the game and Kal Naismith’s left-wing cross proved a fraction too high for Pitman, whose header looped over the bar.

Mousset might have doubled his personal tally after diving inside off the left wing, only for his shot to flash past the near post.

Bennett’s shot was wayward before Mousset picked Naismith’s pocket in midfield and played a neat through-ball to Afobe, whose effort was half-saved by keeper Luke McGee before Carl Baker frantically cleared.

Baker lashed wide from distance and with half-time looming, Gradel’s daisy-cutter found McGee’s gloves.

The start of the second period was delayed after a supporter was taken ill in the stands.

When matters resumed, Pitman was smartly denied by Bosnian international Begovic after he had been sent clear.

And seven minutes after the break, Pitman cushioned a header into Chaplin’s path and he squeezed home to level matters.

Mousset quickly went close in response with McGee equal to his powerful effort but Afobe soon restored Cherries’ lead.

Substitute Charlie Daniels was allowed to rampage into the box via the left flank and his pull-back eventually fell to Afobe, who bundled home from close range.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe made no fewer than eight changes just short of the hour and the only player still standing from the starting XI – Simon Francis – survived handball appeals soon after.

Pompey remained a threat with defender Christian Burgess nodding off-target from Baker’s in-swinging corner.

The game then entered a quiet period, although there was brief concern when Joshua King and Tom Davies were dazed following a clash of heads.

Chaplin sounded a warning to Cherries in the closing stages when his fizzing low drive from a tight angle kissed the outside of the far post.

And after Burgess headed wide with three minutes left, the visitors’ triumph was assured.

Cherries: Begovic (Federici, 59), Francis, S Cook (Worthington, h-t), Cargill (Ake, 59), Mings (Daniels, h-t), Gradel (Pugh, 59), Surman (Gosling, 59), Arter (L Cook, 59), Fraser (Ibe, 59), Mousset (King, 59), Afobe (Defoe, 59).

Unused subs: Simpson, Whitfield, Mahoney.