Cherries edged out at Molineux in 1-0 defeat

The threat of relegation grew bigger for AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night, as they were beaten by a single goal from Wolves dangerman Raul Jimenez.

The second half header from the Portuguese 29 year old means it is now two losses in as many matches for Eddie Howe’s men, since the Premier League’s return on the 17th June.

The Cherries did start the match better than they did on Saturday when they slumped to an early two goal deficit against Crystal Palace, but they still rarely threatened the Wolves goal.

The away side had a host of set piece chances inside the Wolves half in the opening 45, however goalkeeper Raul Patricio was untroubled by any Bournemouth effort.

The West Midlands men were very much in second gear during the opening half, which saw them mainly trying to hit the Cherries on the counter. But efforts from Doherty and Traore were sent high and wide of the Ramsdale goal.

After failing to really threaten either opposing goalkeeper in their last two matches, Bournemouth’s desperate need for a goal threat took a blow at the end of the first half, when Callum Wilson caught Patricio and saw a yellow card come out of referee Michael Oliver’s pocket.

The yellow means a two game suspension for the attacker, who’s side are also without Josh King due to an injury picked up at the Vitality in Saturday’s loss.

The loss of Wilson means Bournemouth will probably have to look to Dominic Solanke to lead the attack against Newcastle next Wednesday, who is yet to score in 25 premier league appearances this season.

Wolves started the second half much brighter than they had looked in the first half, and were rewarded on the hour mark as Adama Traore showed fantastic skill as he lofted a cross from the right hand corner, which found the head of Jiminez.

Manager Eddie How would have been disappointed that neither Jack Stacey or Lewis Cooke seemed to get close to the striker, who found himself firing a free header into the away net.

It is the tenth time this season that Traore and Jiminez have linked up to create a Wolves goal.

Very much like on Saturday, the Cherries found themselves looking helpless when behind, with very little desire or menace going forwards.

In fact, Bournemouth got lucky on two occasions not to have their deficit doubled, when first of all Ramsdale found himself off his line and carelessly heading the ball to Wolves substitute Leander Dendoncker.

With an open goal gaping at him, the defensive midfielder was perhaps too far out to find the target, as his shot looped wide of the left post much to the relief of a scrambling Aaron Ramsdale.

Moments before the full time whistle, Wolves substitute Pedro Neto danced his way through the static Bournemouth defence and found himself one on one with Ramsdale.

The youngster should have found the target but sliced the shot wide of the goal.

The loss keeps Eddie Howe’s men inside the bottom three by goal difference, but now nineteenth place Aston Villa are level on points with them after stealing a point from behind against Newcastle at St James’.

Bournemouth host Newcastle next Wednesday at the Vitality, who are unbeaten since the restart.

The Cherries will have to improve drastically in attack if they are to gain some points to lift them over struggling West Ham and out of the dropzone.