Solanke and Anthony fire Cherries to feisty win over Swansea

Swansea began brightly, but failed to capitalise on their strong start with Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony both bagging braces for Cherries, to ensure they stay top of the table heading into the international break.

Scott Parker made three changes to the side which lost 2-1 to Preston North End on Wednesday evening.

Leif Davis came in for his first appearance since August, replacing Chris Mepham at left-back, while Gavin Kilkenny and Anthony were also recalled. Jamal Lowe dropped to the bench for the game against his former club, while Ben Pearson was absent from the squad.

Swansea, who arrived at Vitality Stadium in good form having won four of their last five, were the better side during the early exchanges. Russell Martin’s men dominated possession with Cherries hardly having a kick for the opening 10 minutes.

Davis was finding life tough, up against lively wing-back Ethan Laird. The Manchester United loanee saw a shout for a penalty waved away when he went over under Davis’s challenge. Goalkeeper Mark Travers was finally worked on 16 minutes, Olivier Ntcham’s shot from distance comfortable for the Irish stopper.

Kilkenny fired wide at the other end, before Swans’ top scorer Joel Piroe had his first sighter of the afternoon, a swerving 20-yarder parried away by Travers.

Then, out of nothing, Cherries took the lead. Anthony’s threaded through ball down the left found Philip Billing, who beat the offside trap and delivered for Solanke to confidently turn home in the centre.

Swans boss Martin was left raging, particularly at assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis, looking for a flag that never came.

The contest then threatened to boil over after a coming together on the half-hour mark. Midfield duo Billing and Flynn Downes came to blows, sparking a scuffle between both sets of players, with keeper Travers and even Cherries head coach Parker among those racing to try and diffuse the situation on the halfway line.

The fiery affair continued for the remainder of the half. Cherries saw calls for a penalty waved away as Ryan Manning prevented Solanke from getting off the floor, before both Ryan Bennett and Solanke were then booked for separate off-the-ball incidents.

Cherries doubled their lead early in the second half.

Davis got down the left flank, crossing brilliantly for Solanke to volley home his 14th goal of the season.

Parker and assistant Matt Wells both rushed to fourth official Andy Davies just before the hour mark, after referee Tony Harrington was unmoved when Ryan Christie went down in the box under the close attention of defender Manning.

But they were soon celebrating again as Anthony put the game to bed. Christie did the hard work, nutmegging Kyle Naughton before his low shot was saved by the foot of Ben Hamer. However, Anthony was on hand to head home the rebound, his third goal of the campaign.

Cherries had their tails up, piling forwards in search of a fourth goal. Christie seemed desperate to get off the mark for the club, twice going close, while Billing and Solanke also had efforts.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes, there was time for Lewis Cook to a long-awaited return. The midfielder came on for his first appearance since March, having battled back from his second serious knee injury.

And he almost made a dream comeback, turning just wide of the post left-footed on the stretch.

But there was time for a late fourth goal. Manning lost possession to substitute Lowe, who teed up Anthony to slot home.

Cherries: Travers; Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Davis; Kilkenny, Lerma, Billing (L Cook, 83); Christie (Lowe, 75), Anthony, Solanke (Rogers, 86).

Unused subs: Mepham, Brady, Marcondes, Dennis (g/k).

Booked: Billing, Solanke.

Swansea: Hamer; Bennett, Naughton, Manning; Laird, Grimes, Downes (Smith, 66), Ntcham (Walsh, 76), Bidwell; Paterson (Whittaker, 67), Piroe.

Unused subs: Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Cullen, Benda (g/k).

Booked: Downes, Bennett, Ntcham.

Referee: Tony Harrington.