Championship: Coventry City 1-3 AFC Bournemouth – Dan Gosling’s double takes Cherries to the top

AFC Bournemouth rose to the top of the championship, albeit temporarily at least, with the victory over 10-man Coventry City in a frenzy at St Andrews.

City’s main playmaker Gustavo Hamer was sent off after a fight with Bournemouth captain Steve Cook, who was booked after a mischievous challenge from Adam Smith at Fakanty Dabo, but at that stage they were already down 3- one.

This was a largely comfortable display for the Cherries, who have now won three and tied one of their first four games at the second level after relegation.

Coventry, also back in the division after promotion to League One champion, caused trouble in flashes but failed to create the opportunities to really upset goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The promotion is a huge ambition for Jason Tindall’s south coast side and they demonstrated that intention early in the West Midlands trip, when Lerma slammed into the edge of the area to consolidate its initial dominance.

Dominic Solanke was later denied by goalkeeper Marko Marosi and Dominic Hyam as the visitors continued to press, only for Bournemouth to lose the lead before the break.

Shortly after Callum O’Hare brushed the post with a rare opportunity for the Sky Blues, Ben Sheaf was brought down in the box by Lewis Cook and Godden stepped in to shoot an unlikely draw from the point.

The Cherries upped the pace after the break and sealed their authority with a double from Gosling.

The former Everton and Newcastle midfielder topped off Solanke’s save shot from close range, then won a 50-50 with Hamer before firing a 25-yard low shot that neatly passed Marosi.

Any hope of getting back into the game ended when Hamer lunged at Cook, despite neither player being involved in the initial challenge, leaving Bournemouth to sail to victory without further incident.

Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR: “Against a team that has just arrived from the Premier League it was a revelation for everyone.

“You know that you will face players and teams in this league that are better and tonight was one of those nights.

[On Gustavo Hamer’s red card] “The expulsion did us no favors. Having said that, I think it’s a really tough expulsion and a tough lesson for Gus.

“I don’t know what the referee thinks. He touched his face. As soon as you do that, the referee makes a decision.”

Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall told BBC Radio Solent: “I thought it was a good performance in all respects.

“We got off to a good start and pushed really well for most of the game and created several opportunities.

“I am disappointed that we have not scored a couple more goals.

[On the red card] “I didn’t have a very clear vision of that, but if you raise your hands to someone’s face, it’s a decision for the referee to make.

“It almost played into our hands and made the game a little more comfortable.”