Bournemouth 3 Blackburn Rovers 2: TALKING POINTS

MOMENT OF MADNESS

No-one inside the Vitality Stadium, even his team-mates, could quite believe the course of action Derrick Williams took when picking up the ball after slipping over in injury time.

Yes, Callum Wilson would have been in the clear, and yes, he had to do something, but you’d have to think there would have been better options than simply picking up the ball.

That came in the second of four added minutes, with Bournemouth almost scoring from the resulting free kick, and after winning a corner after another excellent David Raya save, the winning goal did come.

That was no surprise given the lack of height in which Williams’ sending off, plus the departures of Jack Rodwell and Ben Brereton, left Rovers with.

Williams had been excellent up to that point in central defence, and while it was another late goal conceded by Rovers, this one has to be taken in isolation given the circumstances leading up to it.

RODWELL CRUISES THROUGH

Watching Jack Rodwell on a football pitch, it’s almost as if the game is too easy.

He has a languid running style and his economical use of the ball with both feet is pleasing on the eye. After watching his 60 minute outing you have to agree with Tony Mowbray that his talent is unquestioned.

The question mark will be his fitness, but he looked robust enough after winning a couple of important 50-50s.

It was a surprise to see him anchoring the midfield, though that could well have been down to a shortage of options in that area of the pitch rather than where Mowbray sees him long term.

And while was a good start for the former England international, he knows he has a way to go to break in to a matchday squad in the league, nevermind the starting XI. But he looks up for that fight on early evidence.

RAYA TO THE RESCUE

Rovers’ Spanish goalkeeper may have conceded five goals in his last two games, but he saved them countless times at the Vitality Stadium.

Jermain Defoe trudged off late on feeling he could have had a hat-trick were it not for Raya who made three excellent first half stops.

The save from Peter Crouch at Stoke City won his side two points and his sharp reflexes and shot-stopping qualities are a key asset to this team.

UPS AND DOWN

Seven days earlier Craig Conway, handed a first league start of the season and the captain’s armband against Derby, was hauled off after just half an hour.

But he was given another go at Bournemouth, leading the side once again, and marked his 500th career appearance with a goal.

He operated in a central role for the most part, as he did against Lincoln in the last round, and at 33, this could be seen as more viable role for him moving forward.

It’s one he admits he hasn’t played before, and while a yard of pace may have gone, his use of the ball and energy hasn’t.

That was demonstrated by him picking the pocket of £25m Jefferson Lerma before thumping an effort beyond Artur Boruc.

It was a great moment for a great pro, and a popular member of the dressing room, and shows how quickly football can change.

ATTACKING OPTIONS

It was Adam Armstrong given the lone striker role and Ben Brereton used out wide as Mowbray mixed up his frontline.

Both were always going to come under scrutiny.

Armstrong hadn’t enjoyed the best of evenings at Derby, touching the ball just 20 times on a frustrating night.

However, his intelligent movement when drifting out wide, and his ability to run in behind, showed he can play upfront on his own.

Armstrong got shots off and tucked away a second half penalty and would have given Mowbray food for thought with a very promising display.

Brereton too, having looked lost out wide in the home match with Aston Villa, used his assets to full effect. He was willing to work back but his strong running was on full view as he drifted around the frontline to cause problem.

He will be unavailable for the visit of his parent club on Saturday, but will be itching to go again when Sheffield United arrive at Ewood next Wednesday.