Frustration as 10-man Cherries held at home to Coventry

AFC Bournemouth's form has continued to tumble this weekend as a last gasp blow from Todd Kane saw Scott Parker's men drop a two-goal lead.

Going into the game, Bournemouth were without Gary Cahill who was suffering with a minor rib injury. Cherries boss Scott Parker opted for a back five giving a first start of the season to club captain Steve Cook. 

The Cherries looked to be keeping all three points at the Vitality when Phillip Billing, who would go on to win man of the match, fired the Dorset club into a two-goal lead just past the hour mark. The 25-year-old poked the ball home from a Jaidon Anthony cross following the latter's opener before the half time whistle.

Anthony, who’s dangerous balls into the 18-yard box were a constant threat throughout, seemingly unintentionally put the ball into the back of the net whilst trying to find Dominic Solanke at the back post on the stroke of halftime.

However, the turning point on the day was Jefferson Lerma’s 70th minute sending off. Lerma, who was filling in at centre back to accommodate the Cherries transformation to a back five, was shown red after denying an opportunity for Coventry's Matt Godden who would go on to score the Sky Blues first goal. 

Initially, Bournemouth were not fazed by the red with Lewis Cook filling in at the back. After the first Coventry goal that inevitably changed. Kane equalised in the 95th minute with a cross shot of his own to confirm that the points would be shared on the south coast. 

The draw now means Scott Parker’s men have just taken five points out of 15 from their last five games, a far cry from their 15-game unbeaten run from earlier this season.

With title rivals Fulham coming up next, Parker will be looking to regain his lead at the top of the table when he visits his old club for the first time since leaving in the summer. Today’s draw marks the second time the Cherries have failed to take advantage of Fulham dropping points after Wednesday's draw to Millwall meaning the Cottagers remain top of the league by a solidary point. Both sides will be eager to get three points to get back on winning form and gain comfort at the top.