Stuck in no man’s land between the relegation battle and the race for Europe, Bournemouth are the sort of team who really ought to attack the FA Cup this season.
Boss Andoni Iraola did not call on some of his heavy artillery here and his reservists made hard work of what ought to have been an easy enough operation, but the Cherries overturned a two-goal deficit to secure their place in the fourth round.
Sinclair Armstrong and Lyndon Dykes had QPR 2-0 up at the break, but Bournemouth were a changed team after and quickly levelled through Marcus Tavernier and Kieffer Moore. Justin Kluivert’s tap-in completed the visitors’ comeback.
As for out-of-sorts QPR, 23rd in the Championship, this was their 52nd exit in the third round. They have fallen at this hurdle more than any other club in England.
Iraola’s attacking changes at half-time paid dividends, super-sub Kluivert popping up with the winner as Premier League quality eventually told.
Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert collects the ball after completing their FA Cup turnaround
Kiefer Moore scores Bournemouth’s second goal of the game on Saturday afternoon
Sinclair Armstrong (left) and Lyndon Dykes had put Rangers 2-0 up against Bournemouth
‘We didn’t start well,’ said Iraola, who took a risk by making seven changes to his starting XI and leaving star striker Dominic Solanke out of his matchday squad. ‘We were much better when we had nothing to lose.’
Armstrong opened the scoring in the 40th minute, a superb solo effort evading challenges as he took the ball from close to the halfway line and the lead was doubled soon after when Dykes saw his effort deflect off Max Aarons and over Mark Travers.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola celebrates seeing his team progress into the next round
After the break, Tavernier got Bournemouth back into the tie when his shot also took a wicked deflection and wrongfooted Asmir Begovic. And it was 2-2 when Alex Scott whipped in a corner for Moore to nod in.
It was no surprise when the Cherries completed their comeback after Jimmy Dunne lost the ball in his own half. Billing pounced and found Kluivert to finish.
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