Bournemouth smart set piece goal vs Newcastle

The opening goal in Bournemouth’s 1–2 loss to Newcastle this weekend was a peach:

Bournemouth set up with Lewis Cook on the edge of the D, Nathan Aké and Phil Billing near the edge of the box, Callum Wilson and Steve Cook on the edge of the 6-yard box, Joshua King marking the goalkeeper, and Harry Wilson lurking at the back post.

As Fraser runs up to take the corner, Joshua King dashes forward to provide a short passing option which drags his marker and both of the Newcastle players zonally marking the front post away from their assignments.

King’s run opens up a chasm of vacated space at the front post for the two players on the edge of the box, Aké and Billing to run into.

But their runs are decoys. The true purpose of their movement is to open up the space around the penalty spot. As King completes his one-two with Fraser, Harry Wilson makes his move inside from the back post, leaving Jetro Willems on his heels.

By the time Fraser plays his pass into the box, the damage has been done. Callum Wilson and Steve Cook hold their position and act as blockers which prevents Willems from tracking his man. That bit of separation gives Wilson the space to get in position, take aim…

And stroke the ball past Dubravka to give his side the lead.

Aké aside, Bournemouth aren’t a team who are particularly dominant in the air but this goal is proof that there are ways to overcome a height deficit and other ways to exploit set pieces to create goals using the personnel at your disposal.