Match Reports

Albion 2 AFC Bournemouth 0

Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against Bournemouth

Albion beat AFC Bournemouth 2-0 under The Hawthorns lights in the Sky Bet Championship on Wednesday evening.

First half goals from Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll - combined with a resolute defensive showing - were enough to see the Baggies bounce back against their high-flying south coast opponents.

They return home again on Saturday to face Stoke City (KO 3pm) and celebrate the club’s annual Foundation Day.

Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against Bournemouth

Steve Bruce made two changes to his starting XI as Andy Carroll and Grady Diangana replaced Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson.

And his side fired themselves into an early lead when, on the eight-minute mark, Mowatt smashed a superb effort home from the edge of the area.

It got better for the Baggies shortly after – Sam Johnstone sending Carroll through on goal with a long pass, and the striker getting the ball under control before finishing emphatically.

Andy Carroll scores against Bournemouth

Dominic Solanke almost glanced Bournemouth back in the game but it was mainly Albion searching for another midway through the half, Mowatt volleying wide and Semi Ajayi heading a corner over.

The remainder of the first period saw the visitors control possession yet struggle to create any clear-cut chances, with Bruce’s men going into the interval two-up.

Grady Diangana on the ball against Bournemouth

The away team came out in search of a goal to make things interesting, yet efforts by Adam Smith, Philip Billing and Jordan Zemura all went off-target.

Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson were brought on to offer fresh legs as Albion looked to see the game out – though Livermore’s side-footed shot, which creeped over, could have added a third for the hosts.

Despite pressure from Bournemouth in the final stages and seven minutes of stoppage time, the Baggies managed to preserve their clean sheet and claim all three points in B71.

Albion: Johnstone; Furlong (Molumby 68), Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Mowatt (O’Shea 85); Diangana (Robinson 74), Carroll.

Substitutes: Button, Kipré, Reach, Fellows.

Attendance: 20,501.