JAIDON Anthony provided a goal and assist to inspire Cherries to an impressive 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Queens Park Rangers.

The 21-year-old curled home the opener before teeing up birthday boy Dominic Solanke to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

QPR responded early in the second half through Sam McCallum’s deflected strike, before a late barrage on Cherries’ goal.

But the home defence and goalkeeper Mark Travers in particular held firm to ensure Cherries moved up into the top two, still yet to lose in the Championship this season.

Scott Parker made just one change from Saturday’s dominant display against Barnsley. Ryan Christie came in for his full debut, with Ben Pearson dropping to the bench.

QPR loaded the Cherries box during the early minutes, but the defence were equal to the task. Jordan Zemura took a Chris Willock shot to the face, while Ilias Chair curled a free-kick just wide.

And, as they did against Barnsley, Cherries soaked up the early pressure and pounced at the other end. A dallying Rob Dickie was the culprit, caught out by the high pressing Anthony, who bore down on goal. Despite having the option of Solanke in the centre, Anthony went alone, expertly curling across goal and into the far corner for his first senior goal at Vitality Stadium.

Cherries quickly went in search of a second goal, Philip Billing laying the ball off for Christie, who sliced wide from the edge of the box.

Clear cut chances were at a premium during an absorbing first half, with Chair curling QPR’s next chance wide.

But there was time for Cherries to double their lead before the break. David Brooks drifted infield, picking out Solanke, who in turn moved it out wide to Anthony.

And the 21-year-old added an assist to his earlier goal, crossing low for Solanke to turn in at the near post to mark his 24th birthday in style.

QPR had the first effort of the second period. Osman Kakay broke forwards down the right, crossing for Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes, whose header was held by Travers.

Cherries will then be wondering how they did not extend their advantage. Anthony again won the ball high up the pitch, picking out Solanke who in turn flicked it to Billing. The Dane’s first time right-footed effort struck the inside of the post and spun away to safety. Christie’s shot on the follow-up was also blocked.

Mark Warburton turned to his bench, making a double change 10 minutes into the half. And his side quickly pulled a goal back. McCallum’s shot was blocked by the arm of Adam Smith, but play continued with the wing-back skipping inside Smith before firing on goal. His effort took a wicked deflection off the sliding Gary Cahill, wrong-footing Travers and sneaking in at the near post.

Parker soon made his first switch of the afternoon, introducing Pearson to shore up the midfield, with Brooks withdrawn.

And it appeared to do the trick, with Cherries getting back on the front foot, although keeper Seny Dieng was unworked as Jefferson Lerma dragged a long-range effort wide.

QPR were perhaps fortunate to keep 11 men on the pitch when Chris Willock was shown only yellow for kicking out at Smith on the touchline.

But that did not deter Cherries, with Zemura looking to add to his brace from the weekend, his shot tipped away from the near post by Dieng.

Travers was then called into a vital double stop. The first came from a corner with Jordy de Wijs’s header parried away, before the Irishman athletically tipped over from Dickie.

Substitute George Thomas’s volley was then also held by Travers, prompting Parker to add an extra defender in Chris Mepham, to replace Christie for the final five minutes.

Lloyd Kelly soon had a heart-in-mouth moment, slicing an attempted clearance towards his own goal, but Travers got down to turn it behind.

QPR had one last chance, but Travers did enough to deny substitute Andre Gray from close range, before Mepham cleared to ensure three big points.

Cherries: Travers; Smith, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Lerma, Christie (Mepham, 86), Billing; Brooks (Pearson, 61), Anthony (Rogers, 77), Solanke.

Unused subs: Stacey, Marcondes, Lowe, Nyland (g/k).

Booked: Zemura, Brooks, Kelly, Billing.

QPR: Dieng; Dickie, de Wijs, Barbet; Kakay (Adomah, 55), Ball, Johansen, McCallum; Chair (Thomas, 82), Willock; Dykes (Gray, 55).

Unused subs: Dunne, Dozzell, Amos, Archer (g/k).

Booked: Johansen, Willock, Barbet.

Referee: Keith Stroud.