Wilshere off to winning Bournemouth start

Bournemouth (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jack Wilshere made a winning start to life at Bournemouth as he came off the bench in a 1-0 success against West Brom to give the Cherries their first victory of the season on Saturday.

England midfielder Wilshere, who joined the south coast club in a dramatic deadline-day loan move for the season, came on after 63 minutes with the match still goalless.

But the prolonged stalemate was eventually broken thanks to Callum Wilson’s neat back-heeled goal 11 minutes from time at Dean Court.

Wilshere looked on from the dug-out for most of the match as the hosts faced an Albion side managed by former Bournemouth player Tony Pulis.

Andrew Surman and Harry Arter, one of whom could yet be replaced in Eddie Howe’s starting XI by Wilshere, were at the heart of Bournemouth’s best early work.

Jordon Ibe was also prominent and it was from his free-kick that Charlie Daniels headed straight at Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster. 

Wilson came close to opening the scoring when Foster saved from Junior Stanislas, but the striker hooked the ball over an open goal from a tight angle.

But having been on the defensive for much of the first half, visitors Albion nearly went ahead when Saido Berahino, back in the side after again failing to secure a transfer window move, saw his volley tipped over the crossbar by Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Poland goalkeeper Boruc, who was once between the posts for Scottish giants Celtic, produced a stunning double save at the start of the second half by first repelling Brendan Galloway’s fierce cross-shot before denying Berahino.  

Wilshere replaced Ibe in the 63rd minute and the 24-year-old’s arrival appeared to give Bournemouth a boost.

But West Brom went close when Matt Phillips’s free-kick grazed the crossbar.

However, it was Bournemouth who had the decisive say in the 79th minute when Adam Smith struck the ball across the box and Wilson back-heeled in for the only goal of the game.