QPR 0-1 Bournemouth: Solanke’s header sends Cherries back to championship top

A header from Dominic Solanke secured Bournemouth’s first win in seven games and took them to the top of the league with a win at QPR.

But QPR, in its first game in 22 days because of Covid, missed the opportunity to climb into the top six with the loss.

They finished the game with 10 men as substitute Andre Dozzell was sent off in added time for two warnings.

More like that Parker cherries

Despite their high position, Bournemouth’s form heading into this game was poor. After opening the season with a 15-game unbeaten streak, Scott Parker’s men had collected just six points from the previous eight games, allowing others like Blackburn to close the gap.

After a suspicious opening, Solanke really should have put the visitors ahead but managed to come back four meters after a great cross from Philip Billing.

However, the Bournemouth number nine made amends when he scored with a much harder header, climbing the higher to guide one into the far corner of Stanislas’ free kick.

With 17 league goals to his name, only Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham and Ben Brereton Diaz of Blackburn have scored more this season than Solanke.

Solanke was twice denied by QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng looking for a second, but the most glaring opportunity came from substitute Jaidon Anthony, but he shot away from an open goal five yards after that Jack Stacey sparkled an inviting low balloon through the box.

But they did enough to overtake Fulham in first place, whose home game against Birmingham on December 26 has been postponed.

Difficult restart for Rs

It was unclear what to expect from the West London club as they hadn’t played since a 2-0 loss to Stoke on December 5, following a Covid outbreak and with two games carried over, and they’d slipped out of the top six.

Mark Warburton’s side took advantage of more possession, but struggled to open up against a defense expertly prepared by Gary Cahill.

It wasn’t until a late rally that they troubled the visitors, but goalkeeper Mark Travers made a vital interception at the feet of Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes and Jefferson Lerma threw himself in front of Chris Willock as ‘they slipped to a second straight loss.

And QPR finished with 10 men after Dozzell’s expulsion following a challenge between Solanke and QPR’s Yoann Barbet, which resulted in a scrum involving players from both teams.

They were booked, along with Dozzell after his clash with Cherries defender Chris Mepham – his second yellow card after an earlier warning.

And after?

Both sides will then be in action on Thursday, with Bournemouth hosting Cardiff and QPR heading to Bristol City (both 19:45 GMT) with neither side having played their Boxing Day match.

Then, to start 2022, the R’s will travel to Birmingham on Sunday January 2 (2:00 p.m. BST), while Bournemouth face Peterborough at home on Monday January 3 (7:45 p.m. GMT).