Solanke at the double as Cherries complete Royal comeback

Former league leaders Reading had led 2-0 at half-time at Vitality Stadium through a Lucas Joao penalty and well-taken Sone Aluko finish.

However, Cherries rallied to equalise with goals in quick succession from Solanke and Arnaut Danjuma.

And the comeback was complete 13 minutes from time when Lewis Cook smashed a stunning 25-yard strike in off the crossbar for his first goal in Cherries colours.

The win was sealed in the dying moments as Solanke netted again after robbing goalkeeper Rafael of possession outside the box.

The 4-2 victory takes Jason Tindall’s charges top of the league, for a few hours at least.

Tindall made just one change from the side which won at Birmingham before the international break. Steve Cook returned from suspension, with Chris Mepham the unlucky man to drop to the bench.

After a change to EFL rules, Cherries were permitted to name nine substitutes on the bench for the first time this season, but there were some notable absentees. Joshua King was unavailable as he isolates having tested positive for COVID-19. While both Adam Smith and Philip Billing were available, they were both left out as a precaution having been close to King during the week before his positive test.

Cameron Carter-Vickers missed out due to a minor injury.

Reading welcomed back key injured duo Liam Moore and Ovie Ejaria to their starting XI, looking to arrest a run of three successive defeats.

And the table-toppers got off to the perfect start. With just three minutes on the clock, Alfa Semedo skipped away from Lewis Cook and Steve Cook in the box, before being tripped by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Striker Joao stepped up and fired low past Begovic, despite the Bosnian guessing right.

Cherries responded well during a lively opening to the contest, with Danjuma cutting in from the left and seeing his shot blocked by Michael Morrison.

But the visitors continued to threaten on the counter, with a heart-in-mouth moment for Lloyd Kelly as the last line of defence as he stretched to challenge Aluko, but referee Darren Bond waved away the protests.

Semedo then headed wide, while at the other end David Brooks tested Rafael from the edge of the box.

Cherries were dominating possession and probing for an equaliser, but the Royals held firm. The hosts saw claims for a penalty dismissed when Solanke went down under Ovie Ejaria’s challenge.

And the midfielder soon had a big impact at the other end on his return to the side. The former Liverpool man slipped a perfectly weighted ball through for Aluko, who ran off Rico and tucked into the bottom corner left-footed for his first goal for Reading since January 2019.

Cherries carved out one more opportunity before the half was out, with Junior Stanislas’s free-kick tipped away by Rafael.

Tindall turned to his bench at half-time, introducing Mepham in place of Diego Rico and shifting Kelly to left-back.

And the switch paid dividends almost immediately. Just eight minutes after the restart, Lewis Cook picked out Kelly down the left, who fired a cross into the centre which was turned home by Solanke.

Within the blink of an eye, Cherries were level again. David Brooks drifted infield and slipped a pass through for Danjuma in the box and the Dutchman made no mistake, prodding home his fifth goal of the campaign.

Joao looked to put the visitors back in front, but could only fire straight at Begovic, while Solanke came close to his second of the afternoon, connecting with Jack Stacey’s cross but his shot was deflected behind.

But the comeback was completed with 13 minutes to play. After Brooks teed up Lewis Cook, the midfielder let fly with a stunning effort from 25 yards which kissed the crossbar on its way.

Both managers turned to their benches for the closing stages with Rodrigo Riquelme and Sam Baldock introduced.

But it was Reading’s star striker who came closest to grabbing a dramatic equaliser. Joao rise highest to connect with Michael Olise’s corner, but his header was saved down low by Begovic.

The nerves were settled with just one minute of normal time to play when Solanke punished a dallying Rafael, nicking the ball off him before tucking home.

Reading carved out one final opening, but Begovic was alert to deny Olise.

Cherries: Begovic; Stacey, S Cook, Kelly, Rico (Mepham, h-t); L Cook, Lerma (Ofoborh, 90+4) Stanislas (Riquelme, 78); Brooks (Simpson, 84), Danjuma, Solanke.

Unused subs: Kilkenny, Gosling, Anthony, Surridge, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Begovic, Danjuma, Lerma.

Reading: Rafael; Esteves (Holmes, 63), Morrison, Moore, Richards; Rinomhota, Laurent; Aluko (Olise, 64), Semedo (Baldock, 80), Ejaria (Meite, 74); Joao.

Unused subs: Gibson, Watson, Tetek, Southwood (g/k).

Booked: Rinomhota.

Referee: Darren Bond.