Bournemouth 2-2 West Bromwich Albion: each point for new bosses Parker and Ismael

West Bromwich Albion came back twice from behind on opening night of the Championship season as Valerien Ismael’s Baggies drew Scott Parker’s Bournemouth.

Bournemouth led early in the summer signing Emiliano Marcondes before Baggies defender Dara O’Shea headed into an equalizer in the first half.

Philip Billing restored the Cherries’ lead after the break, only for Callum Robinson, who had previously ruled out a first-half goal, to offer a second equalizer from Albion.

The day Albion finally parted ways with his star player of the past two seasons, Matheus Pereira, a point of separation meant a particularly satisfying conclusion for Ishmael.

Bournemouth were hampered by the loss of Junior Stanislas with a hamstring problem during the pre-match warm-up – but it only took them 12 minutes to score the first goal of the league season.

Jaidon Anthony joined Billing on the left before heading to the penalty spot where the unmarked Marcondes found the corner with a low shot from the half-hit left foot.

But the Baggies equalized in the 33rd minute when Conor Townsend’s long shot was knocked back by Billing, before the winger curled up a cross and O’Hea’s falling header passed local goaltender Mark Travers.

Four minutes later, Robinson had the ball in the net but the goal was scored by referee Dean Whitestone.

It seemed to prove costly when in the 52nd minute youngsters Anthony and Jordan Zemura opened up Albion on the left, Baggies goalkeeper David Button was only able to clear his near post and Billing kept his blood- cold to pierce a low shot from the right side. .

But Albion equalized for the second time when, just three minutes after coming on in the 64th minute, substitute Matt Phillips slipped a pass through the left inner channel to Alex Mowatt, whose low cross was perfectly met by Robinson. on the half-volley.

Button, replacing England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone who is back in training but was only ready for the bench, made clear second-half saves from David Brooks and Dominic Solanke.

There was no more drama left for the Cherries to now focus on next Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, when Albion will host Luton Town.

Bournemouth boss Scott Parker told BBC Radio Solent Sport:

“Overall I’m happy. We were playing a very good team and our youngsters behaved well and really improved.

“I hope the fans think they have seen a team that they should be extremely proud of that has left everything behind on this pitch.

“I’m hoping to pick up some players and bring in some to strengthen the team in depth. We’ll have to take a look at Junior Stanislas. He just felt a little hamstring and I didn’t want to take any risks.”

West Bromwich Albion head coach Valerian Ismael told BBC WM:

“Welcome to the championship. We’re on our way. So many positives. And it was great to see the fans celebrating, especially after our second goal.

“Bournemouth are a top side in the Championship with a better manager. They were clinical. They scored with the first shot on target.

“But we showed our quality and our intensity – and Matt Phillips had a huge impact when he came on.”