Marco Rose hails Bournemouth togetherness after eighth straight victory

Marco Rose paid tribute to Bournemouth’s togetherness after a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Ipswich equalled the club’s record of eight consecutive wins.

Evanilson got the ball rolling after five minutes, scoring for a fifth straight Premier League match and bettering his six-goal tally from last season as he moved onto seven for the new campaign.

It was a gift from Tractor Boys goalkeeper Christian Walton, who tried and failed to dribble past Evanilson in the area, and the Cherries went two up after 27 seconds of the second half when Leif Davis could only deflect Ryan Christie’s strike into his own net.

Lewis Cook tripped Abdoul Ouattara in the area to provide the hosts with a lifeline and Jack Clarke slotted home from the spot with 17 minutes left to set up a grandstand finish at Portman Road.

However, Bournemouth stood firm to make it eight wins in a row and match the record set under Eddie Howe during the 2012-13 season in League One.

Days after a 3-1 victory at Sparta Prague, Rose said: “I am pleased with the first 70 minutes because we went two up and I didn’t feel like we struggled or can get any problems, but it’s Premier League and one goal changed the momentum of the game.

“That is why I am much more pleased with the last 20 minutes. We suffered but we did it together.”

A slow start at Chelsea last month proved costly for Bournemouth as they trailed by two goals inside three minutes and, even during last weekend’s 2-0 home triumph over Leeds, the visitors had an effort ruled out after 11 minutes.

It made goals at the start of each half particularly sweet for Rose, who was in a jovial mood after full-time.

“Last week I said we start slow and this week I said we start quite quick and score an early goal. I am a magician!” the German smiled. “No, we know we have to be ready in this league.

“We played Chelsea four weeks ago and we were two down after three minutes. That’s why we learned and always good to score an early goal.

“We were sharp, we were good and that’s what I really appreciate. I said before this week that it’s going to be really demanding for a team that is not used to have this kind of (European) situation.”

Julio Enciso went close with two free-kicks late on, but Ipswich lost and have only one win in seven matches.

Boss Gary O’Neil said: “Gutted with the result, firstly, because it’s what we are here for and probably performance-wise not much in it.

“To lose a football match you’ve not been outclassed in is hard to take.

“But if you give the ball to the opposition number nine twice, it’s going to be difficult and that was the story of the game really.

“It’s the level so we have to find a way of not only being competitive in games, but can we now find a way to make sure these Hull (2-2 draw) and Bournemouth performances are four points and not one.”