Bournemouth brushed aside Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Goldsands Stadium this afternoon to claim top spot in the Championship table.
Yann Kermongant converted a penalty to open the scoring for the Cherries, before Harry Arter's long-range strike doubled their advantage soon after the restart.
Middlesbrough, who now find themselves in third place following this reverse, struggled to create any real openings throughout the game, and their misery was compounded by Brett Pitman who dispatched a second spot kick to seal things on the South Coast.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Bournemouth and Middlesbrough at the Goldsands Stadium.
These two sides currently occupy second and third place in the league table, separated by just two points heading into this crucial fixture. Both teams have maintained their respective promotion pushes in recent weeks following some steady form, making a positive result on the South Coast this afternoon all the more important.
Kickoff is less than 30 minutes away now, so let's take a look at some team news...
TEAM NEWS!
BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Surman, Arter, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson
MIDDLESBROUGH XI: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Reach, Tomlin, Bamford
Let's start by taking a look at the home side, then, which shows one change from the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City last time out. Thirteen-goal striker Yann Kermorgant is welcomed back into the fold in place of Brett Pitman, who drops down to the bench.
Euanan O'Kane and Dan Gosling were both expected to be included in the matchday squad this afternoon having reportedly recovered from their respective injury setbacks, although neither makes the cut. That means Harry Arter and Andrew Surman are tasked with providing some spark and creativity in the middle, while Matt Rithcie and Mark Pugh also slot in out wide.
As far as Boro are concerned, Aitor Karanka has opted to make two alterations to his starting lineup by bringing Emilio Nsue and Adam Reach into the side. Jelle Vossen and Jonathan Woodgate are the men to drop out of the side, with the latter missing out on the 18-man squad completely this afternoon.
Ryan Fredricks has been nursing a hamstring injury of late, meaning that he is another to miss out on the trip to the South Coast, while hamstring victim Daniel Ayala - on the scoresheet last week against Ipswich - has failed to recover in time to provide another defensive blow to the visitors.
BENCH WATCH!
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Camp, Ward, Smith, MacDonald, Fraser, Pitman, Rantie
MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Ripley, Vossen, Forshaw, Kike, Whitehead, Omeruo, Wildschut
So as already mentioned, Pitman has to make do with a place among the Bournemouth backups today, while Tokelo Rantie is another striking option for Eddie Howe to choose from should he wish. Boro have Belgian striker Vossen to turn to, meanwhile, and he will be joined on the bench by another talented player in the form of Adam Forshaw.
Kickoff at the Goldsands Stadium in this huge Championship clash is a little over 10 minutes away now, meaning that there is still enough time to check out the views of the Sports Mole Sofa team heading into this match:
Well Bournemouth come into this game unbeaten in their last five games, although having been held by Cardiff in midweek they will be eager to get three more points on the board against another side vying for promotion. Things are certainly looking up for the Cherries under the tenure of Howe, who has turned this squad into one of the most exciting in the country. Automatic promotion is very much the target at this stage, and a win here today will take them to the summit.
Defeat for Derby last night means that things remain awfully congested at the top end of the table, with just two points separating the top three. Further back, eighth and fourth are separated by four points, so with eight games of the campaign to go its already clear that it will go right down to the wire yet again this term. Goal difference will play a big part, also, and Bournemouth can reflect upon having the best tally in the division in this particular department.
Boro are in impressive form themselves, winning three of their last four games to climb into an automatic promotion spot. A heavy win over Ipswich last week was followed up by an equally as impressive victory away at Derby in midweek - their first away win in five - which sets up an intriguing contest on the South Coast this lunchtime.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The reverse fixture earlier this season ended as a goalless draw at the Riverside, which took Boro's record to no defeat in nine outings against Bournemouth in all competitions. In fact, the Cherries' last win against today's opponents came back in an old Division Three meeting in 1987. A lot has changed for both sides since then, but they are both battling for the same target 28 years on.
PREDICTION: Right, both teams are now out onto the field with kickoff just a couple of minutes away. This game really doesn't need all that much building up; a look of the table sets it up quite enough. The rewards for today's winners is a place atop the table for a few hours at least, and with games fast ticking down it will be a huge boost heading into the international break. Just two points separate the sides, proving how equally matched they have been this term, and I'm going to back a 1-1 draw this afternoon.
KICKOFF! We are underway on the South Coast, as another huge day of Championship action gets underway. What will we have in store this afternoon? Speaking as a neutral, I'm hoping for a few goals!
SAVE! Konstontopolous is forced into making the game's first save with just a few minutes on the clock. It was a rather nervy stop in truth, as he just about pushed aside Kermorgant's free kick. Wilson seemed to be tugged back as he raced in to meet the follow-up, but the referee waved away any appeals.
Bournemouth are the side on top in the opening five minutes, with that Kermorgant free kick the closest we have come to an early breakthrough. Having seen the replay of that penalty shout when Gibson brought down Wilson, the contact seemed to be too slight for the referee to point to the spot. Big call to make so soon into the game, nonetheless.
A big away following at the Goldsands Stadium this afternoon:
Boro have not been allowed to get into their rhythm just yet, but Karanka will not be all that concerned at this stage. They are the side now in possession, as they begin to knock the ball around in defence before working their way forward.
CLOSE! First opening for Boro as Reach so nearly turns home Adomah's pull-back, but he couldn't quite direct the ball goalwards.
PENALTY TO BOURNEMOUTH!
Kalas is adjudged to have tugged down Wilson inside the area, which leads to the referee pointing to the spot. He could have had a pen in the opening couple of minutes which was turned down, but Anthony Taylor was in no doubt this time around.
GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 MIDDLESBROUGH (KERMORGANT, PEN)
Konstontopolous gets a hand to the ball, but the power ensures that Kermorgant's spot kick flies into the back of the net to give Bournemouth first blood in this top-of-the-table showdown.
Adomah fired a shot over the bar a minute or so ago as Boro look to find a route back into the game, while Leadbitter's free kick was comfortably caught by Boruc. Incidentally, these two sides have lost the joint fewest games in the Championship this season, so expect it to be tight throughout.
Boro have enjoyed a fair bit of possession since going behind, but some sloppy play allows Wilson to drag a shot wide of goal at the other end of the field. He had Pugh free in a more central position, which probably would have been a better option rather than shooting from that range.
I mentioned in the build-up how Bournemouth are one of the most entertaining teams around, and had Kermorgant kept his shot down we would have witnessed one of the goals of the season here. A nice, patient move culminated in the Frenchman volleying over the bar from the edge of the box, though, as momentum swings back the home side's way.
Middlesbrough need to try and get back on the ball having seen Bournemouth take control once again. Wilson's pace is causing a lot of problems at the moment, as witnessed by the earlier penalty decision.
A lofted free kick into the box is brought down by Wilson, but Kalas recovered well to clear the ball behind. The Cherries are looking good value for their lead at the moment.
Karanka's men have threatened to hit their opponents on the break a couple of times, although they haven't really been able to put anything together. Meanwhile, Wilson has another long-range strike blocked away from the edge of the box.
SAVE! Wilson is giving the Boro backline a real tough afternoon. This time some hard work allows him to tee up Kermorgant, who sees his well-struck effort kept out by Konstontopolous. Not the hardest of saves to make, but he had to be alert to the danger.
SAVE! The game has been frantic from the off, and at the moment it looks as though only one team is going to come out on top. Wilson yet again creates an opening for his side, holding up the ball before laying off Ritchie on the edge of the box, although the Boro stopper was equal to his shot down low.
This has probably been the game's quietest period so far, as both sides look to break down the other. Wilson is having a real stormer, holding up the ball, pushing forward and making an all-round menace of himself in attack, without having a goal to show for his hard work. Still plenty of time to rectify that, though.
YELLOW CARD! We have a big day of Six Nations action ahead of us, and perhaps that sport would better suit Adam Clayton if this challenge is anything to go by. Boro did well to win themselves a corner, although having cleared their lines Bournemouth looked to break through Wilson, before he was grappled to the floor by Clayton to earn a yellow.
One playoff semi-final against Cardiff a few years back stands out when you think of Kermorgant and penalty kicks:
We haven't seen much of Bournemouth in an attacking sense over the past 10 minutes or so. Up the other end we have barely seen Bamford because the service into his feet has been poor. Some good work by Tomlin almost creates a half-chance, but he couldn't find a way through.
I think Boro would take half time now, because they are struggling to deal with Wilson's pace. Another one of his shots has been blocked away, while Daniels's cross has been turned behind for a corner in the last few moments. Bournemouth deserve their one-goal advantage as we edge closer to the interval.
YELLOW CARD! Nsue is the latest Smoggies man to enter the referee's book for hauling Pugh back. Bournemouth have completely outplayed Boro in the opening 45 minutes, with star man Wilson glancing a header wide of goal in their latest attack.
Clayton nudges a Cherries player off the ball, and having already been shown a yellow he has to be careful. Half time just a few seconds away now.
HALF TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 MIDDLESBROUGH
Referee Anthony Taylor brings the opening 45 minutes to a close, with Kermorgant's penalty after 12 minutes proving the difference between the two sides heading into the break.
There is no denying that the Cherries have merited their one-goal advantage heading into the break, the only real issue is the fact that their lead is so slender. Boro will no doubt come out improved in the second half, looking to get the ball into the feet of Bamford far more than we saw in the first half in order to peg their opponents back.
Konstantopolous was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, with Wilson in particular proving to be a real thorn in Boro's side. It was his sheer determination which earned the penalty for his team which Kermorgant tucked away, although he will no doubt be disappointed not to have got his own name on the scoresheet.
BENCH WATCH!
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Camp, Ward, Smith, MacDonald, Fraser, Pitman, Rantie
MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Ripley, Vossen, Forshaw, Kike, Whitehead, Omeruo, Wildschut
A reminder of the options available to both managers at the break. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Karanka change things around prior to the second half, with his team very much second best thus far. We'll soon find out, as the teams re-emerge out of the tunnel.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! No changes to report from half time, which suggests that Karanka will rely on some tactical tinkering.
GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 2-0 MIDDLESBROUGH (ARTER)
Oh my word - it's an absolute worldy from Arter, who rockets one into the top-right corner from 20+ yards out. Konstantopolous produced a fantastic save just a minute into the second half, which could have acted as a turning point in the game, but then Arter followed up his strike against Cardiff with a an effort right out of the top drawer to give his side some breathing space.
I'm really surprised Karanka didn't change things around at the break, and he has ultimately lived to rue that decision. Bournemouth deserved a second goal which came in fantastic style. Boro must now turn the pressure up for a sustained period of time, which is something they haven't done enough of this afternoon.
If Bournemouth supporters following this afternoon needed any reminding - your team are currently sitting at the top of the Championship pile. It really would be a fantastic achievement should Howe achieve the unthinkable and take the Cherries up automatically, but there is still a long way to go of course. Indeed, the Smoggies will no doubt harbour thoughts of stealing a point from this one in the final 37 minutes or so.
MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Karanka finally rolls the dice, bringing on Forshaw and Kike in place of Clayton and Adomah. Not a moment too soon, either, as his side really need to change things around if they are to grow into the game.
YELLOW CARD! A silly challenge from Arter, which saw him clip the heels of an opposition player, means that he becomes the first home player to earn a caution.
Boro are finally asking questions of the Bournemouth defence, as a cross into the box causes a little panic at the back. It will be interesting to see whether they sit back in the final third of the game or maintain their previous attacking intent.
CHANCE! It really should be 3-0 and game over. To answer my previous poser, Bournemouth have showed no signs of sitting back as they push forward in numbers with Daniels picking out Ritchie with hill pull-back. But he fired over the bar from a central position. Big miss, that!
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Kermorgant is replaced by Pitman as the Cherries make their first change of the afternoon. They remain in control of this game, sitting comfortably on a two-goal advantage with 27 minutes left to play.
UPDATE: In the Championship's other early kickoff this afternoon, Lee Gregory has given lowly Millwall a shock lead at Brentford. This could turn into a dream day for table-toppers Bournemouth.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Smith is introduced in place of Ritchie as the hosts make their second change of the afternoon on the South Coast.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Kike heads the ball home for Boro, but the linesman's flag was already up for offside on the far side. Replays show that the officials got that one spot on.
Boruc seems to be in a bit of bother here having picked up an injury. He appears to have shaken it off for the time being, but with Lee Camp on the bench Howe may not want to take any risks in case it causes some long-term damage.
A goal to remember from Harry Arter put Bournemouth two goals to the good three minutes into the second half:
Boro's hopes of taking something away from this game are fast fading, as they continue to struggle to create any chances. Just 16 minutes remaining now at the Goldsands Stadium.
PENALTY TO BOURNEMOUTH!
The referee appears to have got this one wrong, as he points to the spot for a second time this afternoon. Arter went down inside the box with Adomah the closest player to him, but replays show that the midfielder made the most of the minimal contact - if any - made by the Boro man.
GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 3-0 MIDDLESBROUGH (PITMAN, PEN)
Karanka is not happy at all on the touchline as Pitman rubs salt into the wounds with an emphatic penalty to extend Bournemouth's lead that little further. They are cruising to the top of the table, although the second penalty claim was somewhat dubious. It looked like a dive from Arter to me.
Kalas goes right through the back of Pitman with a dangerous challenge, which goes unpunished by Anthony Taylor. I'm not sure how the defender has escaped a yellow there.
MIDDLESBROUGH SUB: A furious Leadbitter, still furious over that incorrect penalty call from the referee, is taken out of the firing line by Karanka. A rather smart choice from the Spaniard, who introduces Dean Whitehead in his place.
SHOT! Pugh picks up a loose ball and attempts to curl one into the top corner, but he doesn't get the right connection on the ball and it flies over the bar. One of a number of second-half attempts from the hosts, who are not content with just the three goals it seems.
SHOT! Pitman is the latest Bournemouth player to curl one a few inches beyond the post, and it wouldn't be too far wide of the mark to suggest that they would probably deserve a fourth. It has been a hugely one-sided game. This Cherries promotion push has showed no signs of slowing down this afternoon.
CLOSE! Boro's first real effort in a while comes via Bamford's unorthodox free kick, which very nearly caught Bamford out. He hit the ball with the side of his foot, and it dipped agonisingly close to goal, clipping the bar on its way over.
Wilson appears to have picked up a knock which is rather worrying for the Cherries. He produced a masterclass in the first half and should he be out for a sustained period of time it will be areal blow for the home side. A two-week international break will give him plenty of time to recover, though.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: As expected, Wilson is withdrawn in place of Rantie. Howe will get his star striker wrapped up in cotton wool now hoping that he is fit for their next outing against Ipswich in a fortnight.
Four minutes of added-on time will be played at the end of the game on the South Coast, but Bournemouth seem pretty happy to settle for a three-goal winning margin.
Mark Pugh has just staggered off the field holding the back of his leg, meaning that the Cherries will finish this game with 10 men. Shouldn't make all that much difference.
FULL TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 3-0 MIDDLESBROUGH
It's four wins in six for Bournemouth, who see out the game with ease to claim top spot in the Championship table. This was a fantastic performance from Eddie Howe's side, while Boro will need to pick themselves up after the international break. There is no time to dwell on this setback, with seven games of the season now left to play.
That's all from me for the time being, but be sure to stick around as we provide live text coverage from the day's other big game at the top end of the table with Watford taking on Ipswich Town. For now, thanks for joining!
