A STUNNING Philip Billing volley set Cherries on their way to an impressive 3-0 victory over in-form Swansea City.

Steve Cooper’s side arrived at Vitality Stadium sitting third in the table, unbeaten in the past four games, but they were no match for Cherries.

Billing got the ball rolling early in the first half, acrobatically firing home his fourth goal of the campaign.

And a second came just before the break when Dominic Solanke’s deft header flew in off defender Joel Latibeaudiere.

Cherries then sealed the win at the death as Arnaut Danjuma slammed in his 10th goal of the campaign.

The victory moves Jonathan Woodgate’s side to within two points of sixth-placed Barnsley, who have a game in hand.

Woodgate made four changes to his XI following Saturday’s disappointing home defeat to Barnsley. Jack Stacey, Diego Rico, Jack Wilshere and Billing all came into the side, with Ben Pearson and Shane Long dropping to the bench. Adam Smith and Lloyd Kelly missed out on the squad.

Cherries started brightly, working a low set piece routine to Billing on the edge of the box, but his shot was blocked.

However, nothing could deny the Dane in the ninth minute. Danjuma found a gap between two defenders to cross from the left, finding Billing who had ghosted into space in the centre of the penalty area to acrobatically volley superbly past goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, high into the net.

As confidence flowed through the Cherries forward line, Danjuma and Junior Stanislas both tried their luck with wild efforts from distance before Swansea looked to break at the other end.

Stacey was the culprit for giving the ball away allowing the visitors to charge down the left. Wing-back Ryan Manning aimed a fierce cross towards the centre, which took a wicked deflection off Cameron Carter-Vickers, but Asmir Begovic was alert to make a smart low save.

That proved to be a theme for much of the half, with Swansea working the ball around the box and putting in crosses, but Cherries defended resolutely.

The hosts also looked dangerous themselves whenever they came forwards with Stacey picking out Billing on the edge of the box. The midfielder opted against having a shot this time, teeing up Solanke. He skipped around Connor Roberts, but Kyle Naughton got back to slide and block.

Cherries were dealt a blow around five minutes before the break, with Stanislas forced off injured. He was replaced by Rodrigo Riquelme, who came on to make his first appearance since Woodgate took charge of the team last month.

But that disappointment was quickly put to one side as Cherries doubled their tally on the stroke of half-time. A corner from Danjuma did the damage, with Solanke getting a faint flick before the ball flew in off defender Latibeaudiere.

That proved to be Latibeaudiere’s final action as Swansea made a switch at the break, replacing him with Morgan Whittaker and switching to a back four.

Cherries carved out the first chance of the second period. A deep free-kick from Danjuma was powerfully met by Carter-Vickers, whose header was well parried over the bar by Woodman.

Swans defender Roberts then escaped without punishment after swinging an arm into the face of Rico, before the visitors almost pulled a goal back.

Sub Whittaker was the man to try his luck, firing from around 25 yards but Begovic flew across to brilliantly tip behind the effort.

Both bosses turned to their benches as the game headed towards its final 20 minutes with Pearson and Yan Dhanda introduced.

And Cherries soon came within inches of adding a third goal. Stacey burst forward down the right and aimed for the far corner, but his shot flashed narrowly wide of the post after taking a nick off Manning.

But there was just about time for another goal. After Riquelme’s shot was blocked, Billing turned the loose ball on to Danjuma. The Dutchman stayed onside and fired high past Woodman at his near post to round of an impressive night’s work for the hosts.

Cherries: Begovic; Stacey, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Rico; Wilshere (Pearson, 71), Lerma; Stanislas (Riquelme, 39), Billing, Danjuma (Mepham, 90+1); Solanke.

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

Booked: Rico.

Swansea: Woodman; Naughton, Bennett, Latibeaudiere (Whittaker, h-t); Roberts, Smith (Dhanda, 68), Grimes, Hourihane (Routledge, 80), Manning; Ayew, Lowe.

Unused subs: Cabango, Bidwell, Freeman, Fulton, Cooper, Hamer (g/k).

Booked: None.

Referee: James Linington.