Nottingham, England – Dominic Solanke’s first senior hat-trick powered AFC Bournemouth to a remarkable 3-2 win against a 10-man Nottingham Forest, marking a disappointing debut for Forest’s new manager, Nuno Espirito Sant
A Rocky Start for Nuno and Forest:
The match began unfavorably for Nuno’s Forest as centre-back Willy Boly received a second yellow card in the 23rd minute, leaving the team a man down. Despite this setback, Forest showed resilience, holding off Bournemouth for the remainder of the first half. Antoine Semenyo’s attempt for Bournemouth, a long-range effort, narrowly missed the target.
Forest’s Surprising Lead and Bournemouth’s Comeback:
Forest, defying expectations, took the lead thanks to Anthony Elanga, who capitalized on Chris Wood’s effort in winning the ball back and provided a calm finish. However, their lead was short-lived as Solanke responded with a superb header, making him Bournemouth’s 10th-highest league scorer and marking the club’s 300th Premier League goal.
Solanke then put Bournemouth ahead, tapping in from close range to complete the turnaround.
Forest’s Resilience and Solanke’s Heroics:
Not to be outdone, Forest displayed remarkable character to equalize through Wood, who scored with a towering header from a corner. Morgan Gibbs-White came close to giving Forest the lead, only to be denied by Dango Ouattara’s clearance.
The match’s climax came in stoppage time when David Brooks hit the post for Bournemouth, setting the stage for Solanke’s dramatic winner. His superb header found the top-right corner, capping off a sensational hat-trick and sealing the win for Bournemouth.
Aftermath and Table Implications:
This thrilling victory propels Bournemouth to 11th in the Premier League table, tied on points with 10th-placed Chelsea. Nottingham Forest, still adjusting under Nuno’s management, remains in 17th place with 14 points, narrowly above Luton Town, who have a game in hand.
Solanke’s heroics not only etched his name in Bournemouth’s history but also served as a testament to the team’s fighting spirit under Andoni Iraola’s leadership. For Forest, the challenge is to regroup and find stability as they hover near the relegation zone.
