AFC Bournemouth: Ibe's delightful effort wins the day for Cherries

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Ibe, a £15million summer recruit from Liverpool, surged forward before lofting a delicate finish beyond David Marshall to give Eddie Howe’s men a 1-0 win at Vitality Stadium.

Defenders Steve Cook and Adam Smith returned to the line-up for their first taste of pre-season action, the former completing 90 minutes, but there was a worry for Howe after midfielder Harry Arter was withdrawn just before half-time.

After a tepid start, the first opening was worked by returning winger Ryan Fraser with his swirling centre nodded tamely into the hands of Marshall by Lewis Grabban.

Benik Afobe tested the water with a drive that flew just wide of the near post but Cherries did not have to wait long for their breakthrough as new man Ibe again showcased his talent from the outset.

Having picked up the ball just inside Cardiff’s half, the ex-Liverpool winger powered forward, making light work of his marker before chipping a deft effort just beyond the despairing dive of Marshall, who could not keep it out despite getting the slightest of touches.

Cherries continued to dominate with Adam Smith and Ibe combining to roll Afobe down the right and he outmuscled Matthew Connolly before cutting back for Grabban to thump over from the edge of the box.

Ibe smashed another howitzer just over but the sheer power of the shot was enough to draw gasps from the home crowd.

In a rare foray forward, Anthony Pilkington collected a ball from the sky and found Frederic Gounongbe who was quickly halted by Steve Cook’s sliding tackle.

Everything had gone swimmingly until Arter hit the deck two minutes before half-time. After a brief assessment, the Republic of Ireland international came off with what appeared to be trouble with his right hamstring. He was replaced by Ben Whitfield.

A misplaced pass from the back teed up Afobe shortly after the interval but his low drive whistled past the far post from an acute angle.

Andrew Surman lifted a well-weighted pass for Fraser but the Scotland under-21 winger was just beaten to the chase by Marshall.

Cardiff’s backline continued to creak with Afobe winning a 50-50 with Bruno Manga before releasing Ibe to centre but Manga retreated and managed a hurried clearance with Grabban lurking.

The Bluebirds steadily upped the ante and had a golden chance to level just after the hour when Lex Immers’s low driven cross was half cleared to Joe Ralls on the edge of the box but the midfielder drilled wide of Adam Federici’s right-hand post.

Peter Whittingham’s corner was nodded back into the danger area by Lee Peltier for Pilkington to fluff his lines in front of goal with 11 minutes to go.

City should have levelled when Fabio Da Silva swung in a teasing centre for Immers at the far post but the Dutchman’s close-range header bobbled horribly wide.

Kenneth Zohore spurned a presentable opening when his cushioned effort was easily collected by Federici late on with Cherries’ youngsters, who were steadily introduced throughout the secod half, coping admirably to see out victory.

Cherries: Federici, A Smith (Lee, h-t), Jordan, S Cook, B Smith (Harfield, 87), Ibe (Green, 74), Surman, Arter (Whitfield, 43), Fraser (Buckley, 81), Grabban (Matthews, 74), Afobe (Mousset, 66). Subs: Stanton, McCarthy.

Cardiff: Marshall, Da Silva, Peltier (Gunnarsson, 80), Morrison (Manga, h-t), Connolly, Richards (John, 61), Ralls (Noone, 80), Whittingham (Ajayi, 80), Pilkington (O’Keefe, 80), Immers, Gounongbe (Zohore, 61). Subs: Wilson (g/k).

Attendance: 4,306, including 259 visiting supporters.