Scott Parker's post match thoughts after his Bournemouth side beat Cardiff 3-0 at Vitality Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth stayed top of the Championshi[p with a comfortable 3-0 win over Cardiff at Vitality, leaving Cheries boss Scott Parker “pleased” with his team’s performance.
An entertaining first half that saw Ryan Christie grab his first goal for the club before a Leandro Bacuna was sent off just before the break with theCherries 1-0 up in an entertaining first half.
A Dominic Solanke strike and Alex Smithies own goal secured all three points for the home side who dominated the second half with the Welsh side down to 10 men.
Speaking post match the Cherries boss said: “A good performance all round today.
“I thought the game was edgy and cagey at the start and we had to probe our way a little bit.”
“I think the goal settled everyone. I think it settled the players and probably settled the crowd a little bit in that sense and then obviously, once the boy gets sent off, it is about being professional and not giving them much.”
Christie’s goal took a wicked deflection off Cardiff defender Mark McGuiness but Parker was adamant the goal should be awarded to the Scotland international.
He added:” It was definitely going in. I was right behind it and I was pleased for Ryan.
“I think from his opportunities over the course of the season he has had some good opportunities and has not managed to put them away and hopefully that will settle him in that sense.”
Bacuna saw red after a tackle from behind on Philip Billing just before the half time whistle and Parker made his feelings clear on the challenge, praising referee James Linington’s handling of the situation as well.
“It was a bad tackle - a really poor challenge really and I am thankful that Phil is not seriously injured in that,” explained Parker.
“I thought the referee was superb in how quickly he diffused that situation . He was straight on the scene and showed the red card which just diffused it. It was a terrible tackle.”
Despite Cardiff being a man down, the Bournemouth head coach knew a second goal was vital as the Bluebirds threat from set plays could have caused the Dorset club problems at any time.
He added: “They are always a threat, Cardiff, the majority of their goals have come from set plays this year and at any moment you can be under it.
“From a corner or a throw-in and they can pose you problems so the second goal was key.”
Solanke and Philip Billing linked up for the second goal with the Danish midfielder playing a wonderful back heel pass into the striker’s path much to the delight of the Cherries boss.
He added: “It was a lovely goal. Some nice intricate play between Dom and Phil and it was a lovely finish from Dom.”
However, there was some negative news as Junior Stanislas who cam on as a second half substitue had ro be replaced late on after a reccurance of shoulder injury picked up in the 1-0 over QPR forced the midfielder off.
Parker claimed responsibility for the injury after admitting he did not need to bring the player on and in hindsight would have been better to leave the 32-year-old on the bench.
When asked about Stanislas' injury, Parker said: "His shoulder really. I take responsibility a little bit there to be honest with you.
"Like I said, agianst QPR he has a big shoulder problem. He had an injection before the game.
"I should have just left him be, especially the way the game was and obviously he came on at that moment were the game is and the status of the game.
"I don't want to aggravate anything or cause any further damage and we will have to investigate it a little bit more to see how that is."
The Cherries finish the year four points clear of Fulham and face Peterborough on Monday at Vitality Stadium in a 7.45pm kick off.