Battling Bournemouth hold Wolves to goalless draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:54 am

Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Wednesday as their caretaker manager Gary O'Neil made a solid start to his tenure just days after his side conceded nine times at Liverpool.

O'Neil was in the dugout for the first time at any level following the sacking of Scott Parker in the wake of the mauling at Anfield on Saturday, and his side showed a much more robust defensive display against a Wolves outfit that has now scored two goals in five top-flight games this season and were booed by a section of their fans at the end of the game.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)

Bournemouth have four points from their five matches and are in 16th place, while Wolves have three points and are languishing in 18th, though they will rue missed chances to have claimed a first win of the season at the Vitality Stadium.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind situation for everyone involved," Bournemouth captain Lloyd Kelly told BT Sport.

"We wanted to make sure we put on a performance and we want to hit the season running now. The next couple of games will be good for us.

"A clean sheet is massive - it's something that you love, as defenders, stopping goals going in. You leave the rest to the attacking players. Credit to us as defenders."

Wolves' record signing Matheus Nunes struck the crossbar with a shot early in the game, while striker Raul Jimenez was one-on-one with debutant home goalkeeper Neto, but put his effort agonisingly wide of goal.

Bournemouth were noticeably more cautious and chances few and far between for them, the best falling to forward Dominic Solanke, whose header at the start of the second half was too close to Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Bournemouth travel to fellow promoted side Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while at the same time Wolves host another south coast team in Southampton.