Half-Time Report: Bournemouth lead against Cardiff City

Bournemouth have gone into the break of their Championship match against Cardiff City with a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Matt Ritchie, Harry Arter and Marc Pugh.

Ritchie gave Bournemouth the perfect start to the match by thumping the ball home from inside the area with just 37 seconds on the clock.

It was an exciting start, but Ritchie's second effort of the game was not as precise and the ball went wide.

The hosts looked confident and Simon Francis crossed for Pugh, who controlled the ball before volleying straight at Cardiff keeper David Marshall.

At the other end, a strong run from Craig Noone saw him evade three Cherries players before shooting wide.

Bournemouth's dangerous play warranted a second goal, however, and they got it when Arter slotted home from the edge of the area.

Kenwyne Jones gave Cardiff hope with a nice finish just before the break, but Pugh grabbed a goal moments later to restore Bournemouth's two goal advantage.