Liverpool came through a thorough FA Cup fourth round examination from Championship club Bournemouth with Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge scoring at Dean Court. Eddie Howe's Cherries made a swashbuckling start with Andrew Surman heading over. Brad Jones in the Reds goal had a torrid time from set pieces, palming over a dipping Simon Francis free kick in between dangerous corners. Marc Pugh nodded into the side-netting from another set play on 20 minutes. Despite rarely threatening during the first quarter, Liverpool went close through Steven Gerrard's dead ball and then caught their hosts on the counter. Luis Suarez crossed from the right for winger Moses. His shot flew through the legs of Matt Ritchie and under Lee Camp on his near post. Bournemouth top scorer Lewis Grabban forced Jones into a low stops moments after the restart. Harry Arter swerved a shot just wide after half an hour. Kolo Toure then deflected Surman's effort from 12 yards over the bar after good work from home side left back Charlie Daniels. Cherries captain Tommy Elphick headed the resulting corner over. The hosts made almost all of the running, but remained behind at the break. Jordan Henderson could've made it 2-0 before half time, but spooned over from Suarez's cutback. Martin Kelly got away with some blatant shirt-pulling in the box on Simon Francis after the interval before the Reds doubled their lead. Suarez combined with strike partner Sturridge on the hour mark and the England frontman survived a hint of offside before finishing first time across Camp. Sturridge also clipped the crossbar ten minutes later when trying to lob the Bournemouth goalie. Suarez also tried his luck, but his chip cleared the goal-frame. Brendan Rodgers gave sub appearances to youngsters Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling and Luis Alberto. Howe meanwhile threw on Brett Pitman and Tokelo Rantie in search of some way back. Grabban forced Jones to palm behind one-handed late on, but there was no consolation for the Cherries. Liverpool advanced to the last 16 with Suarez stinging the palms of Camp at the death. They avoided the pitfalls of a neat and tidy Bournemouth team here. On this evidence, Howe has plenty of hope about a late playoff push.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
