CHERRIES won 1-0 at Reading to maintain their place at the Championship summit tonight. Here, we look at the decisive aspects. 

 

All the pictures of the match can be seen in a gallery here 

‘TINPOT’ CHERRIES CAN PULL IN A CROWD

A few years ago the prospect of Cherries packing out the away end at somewhere like the Madejski would have seemed a crazy notion but the colourful 4,259 who made the trip from Dean Court made a right racket and silenced the home crowd with piercing volume.

EVERYONE HAS AN EYE FOR THE SPECTACULAR

While many might be purring over Cherries in the final third, let’s not forget Artur Boruc’s save-of-the-season contender.

With 17 minutes on the clock, alow cross was hit first time by Jamie Mackie from point-blank range. It looked like 1-1 all the way until Boruc stuck out a single hand to swat away the effort.

As important as any goal.

HAVING A BABY DOES WONDERS FOR YOUR FOOTBALL

It might be a little bit much to ask Andrew Surman’s better half to have three more children before May 2 but if this is what fatherhood does for your game, then Eddie Howe must be hoping for more of his players to start families.

So often the unsung hero of the team, Surman was exemplary. Hit the post, so close to setting up another, saved a likely goal at the other end and dictated the tempo.

Not bad for a man in for his fair share of sleepless nights. Oozed class.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The final whistle. Nothing gets the heart pumping quite like clinging on to a 1-0 lead in that fashion.

Hold on to your hats, three more to come.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Referee Keith Stroud’s haphazard second half did not affect the result but his questionable calls, including the alarming speed at which he produced yellow cards, could have.

The Championship deserves better from high-profile officials.