Eddie Howe praises 'mature' Brett Pitman after Blackpool hat-trick

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has hailed striker Brett Pitman for the mature manner that he has shown this season.

Having scored two goals last week against Fulham, the frontman went one better yesterday afternoon by firing in a first-half hat-trick during the 4-0 Championship win over Blackpool.

Speaking after the match, Howe told BBC Sport: "Brett has had a great week. The goals he scored at Fulham gave him a real lift and each goal was different today, but clinical in how they were finished.

"He has grown up, matured and I can't speak highly enough of him as a person this season. Whether he has played or not played, he has had the same character and you need people like that. They are like gold dust."

Pitman, 27, has scored 13 goals in all competitions this term, but is only Bournemouth's third highest scorer behind Callum Wilson and Yann Kermorgant.