Bournemouth cruise past Rotherham United to retain top spot

Goals either side of half time from Tommy Elphick and Callum Wilson earned title hopefuls Bournemouth a 2-0 victory over Rotherham United in the Championship this afternoon.

Matt Ritchie looked lively early on for Bournemouth and he came close after being played in by Brett Pitman, but his left-footed effort was blocked by a defender inside the box.

Rotherham wasted a wonderful chance to take the lead after 13 minutes, when Jack Barmby broke down the wing to cross for the on-rushing Paul Green, whose header somehow managed to evade the top left corner of goal.

United appeared dangerous when balls were played into the box, and Kari Arnason was the next profligate suspect when he headed past the post after being found by Adam Hammill's teasing cross.

Bournemouth continued to seek out an opener despite the lack of creativity on show and Pitman almost provided it, until he saw his shot fly wide following some neat work from Marc Pugh.

Home debutant Hammill almost gave the hosts something to smile about before the break when he wound up from distance, only to see his wonder-strike kept out of the top left corner by a diving Lee Camp.

It was the visitors who were to grab the lead, though, when Charlie Daniels picked out Elphick inside the box, leaving the defender to head into the bottom corner and give his side a half-time advantage.

Bournemouth continued their progress in the second half and they soon went two ahead thanks to Wilson, who couldn't miss from a matter of yards out in the 62nd minute, with Pitman the architect.