Bournemouth Boss Eddie Howe Demands Better Display From Stars After Swansea Stalemate

Eddie Howe has called on his Bournemouth squad to up their performance levels ahead of a crucial run of fixtures following a 0-0 draw with Swansea City.

The Cherries looked the better side in the opening half hour of Saturday's contest in south Wales, but were second best for the remainder of the game as the Swans took control.

Speaking to the club's official website after the clash, Howe admitted that his team was lucky to depart the Liberty Stadium with a share of the spoils.

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He said: "We were slightly disappointed with our performance, we never truly got going.

"Any point away from home has to be respected, we dug in when we weren't playing well and that's not always been the case.

"We take a point in a scrappy game, two teams were giving everything to win but maybe lacked a little quality, but we can play a lot better."

Swansea were denied a crucial winner in the first half after Jordan Ayew had shoved Nathan Ake in the back in the build up to Wilfried Bony firing home.

Swans boss Paul Clement had claimed that the goal should have stood due to how soft Ake hit the deck, but Howe defended his centre-back and said the right call had been made.

He continued:  "I have the opposite view naturally! Nathan was pushed before the goal was scored, the referee blew the whistle before the shot was taken for the goal.

"That signals to me that it was a clear decision, I had a good view of it and thought it was a foul."

The stalemate ensured the Bournemouth had now gone three Premier League games without conceding a goal, and Howe added that it was just reward for his side's improved steeliness at the back.

He said: "The team cohesion is really good, when you're conceding goals everyone focuses on the defence, and the same when you keep clean sheets!

"It's about the team and the strikers and midfielders protecting the back four and we're working well at the minute.

"I am really pleased with it because I think we're getting our rewards defensively that we weren't earlier in the season. There were chances for us but just not enough to say that we played really well."