Solanke hat trick edges Bournemouth to win at 10-man Nottingham Forest

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:49 AM CST Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Dominic Solanke grabbed a hat trick for Bournemouth to win at Nottingham Forest 3-2 and ruin Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge at the City Ground in the English Premier League on Saturday.

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This article was published 23/12/2023 (1004 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Dominic Solanke grabbed a hat trick for Bournemouth to win at Nottingham Forest 3-2 and ruin Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge at the City Ground in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Forest looked like overcoming the controversial first-half red card to Willy Boly to earn a worthy point after Chris Wood headed them level in the 74th minute.

But Solanke, who scored twice in seven minutes to overturn Anthony Elanga’s opener for Forest, broke their hearts when he headed home in the fifth minute of time added on.

Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke, third left, scores their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Nottingham, England, Saturday Dec. 23, 2023. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Forest will have grave complaints about the 23rd-minute dismissal of Boly, who was sent off for two yellow cards. Referee Rob Jones showed the second despite the defender clearly winning the ball.

Nuno replaced the sacked Steve Cooper this week and will be enthused by what he saw from his side, but he has inherited a relegation battle and Forest could be in the bottom three if results do not go in their favor in the Boxing Day fixtures.

Life is much better for the Cherries, who won for the fifth time in six matches to climb into mid-table and Solanke took the matchball home for the first time in his career.

The match-defining moment came in the 23rd when Boly received a second yellow card for a challenge on Adam Smith, despite clearly winning the ball. VAR cannot check yellow card incidents so the Ivorian had no reprieve and had to walk.

After a scoreless first half, Wood dispossessed Alex Scott in a dangerous area and played in Elanga, who provided a sublime finish into the bottom corner.

But the joy was short-lived as the Cherries levelled four minutes later. Solanke sent a looping header from Marcos Senesi’s cross over Matt Turner. Solanke needed just another seven minutes to grab his second as he slid home a loose ball.

But Forest showed real character and Wood headed them level when his effort from Morgan Gibbs-White’s corner went in after taking a nick from Luis Sinisterra.

Bournemouth threatened a third goal when David Brooks hit the post, but Solanke claimed his hat trick and the three points when he headed home Smith’s cross at the death.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer