As Matt Ritchie’s missile of a shot flashed past Chris Kirkland and soared into the top-right corner, it felt like the moment when all the pieces in the jigsaw had fallen into place for Bournemouth. They were down to 10 men after Simon Francis’s red card and had trailed for long periods, but there were six minutes left and they were heading back to the top of the Championship. Was it a sign?
Not yet. Not quite. The tension was unbearable and there were knowing groans around the Goldsands Stadium when the fourth official held up his board. Five minutes. Five little minutes. That was all that stood between Bournemouth and victory.
With nothing but pride to play for, Sheffield Wednesday poured forward. They carved Bournemouth open on the right and somehow Caolan Lavery missed an open goal at the far post. Bournemouth survived. They still led 2-1.
But not for long. Soon the ball was bouncing around inside the Bournemouth area. It was a scramble and the 10 men cracked. The Wednesday substitute, Atdhe Nuhiu, was clumsily brought down by Adam Smith and the referee, Paul Tierney, who had already infuriated Bournemouth by ignoring both of their appeals for a penalty, pointed to the spot.
Bournemouth argued with the decision, but to no avail. Chris Maguire stepped up and tucked the penalty past Artur Boruc, who could not keep it out despite going the right way.
Delirium turned to despair for Bournemouth, although the consolation for Eddie Howe’s side is that they remain in control of their destiny. They are second, a point behind Watford and above Middlesbrough because of their markedly superior goal difference, and they will surely be promoted if they beat Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic in their final two matches. But this was a sucker punch.
“It really is tough to take,” Howe said. “That’s the reason we all love the game so much, the drama it can give you. I thought it was a fascinating game.”
Howe is an admirably level-headed guy, although his patience was tested by Tierney’s failure to award Bournemouth a penalty when Callum Wilson appeared to be fouled by Lewis Buxton after the striker had rounded Kirkland. Bournemouth were given a corner but Howe argued that it was a penalty and a red card.
Bournemouth also wanted a penalty when Andrew Surman fell under a challenge from Jérémy Hélan in the first half, although that one was harder to call.
And give Wednesday credit. They may be in mid-table but they never stopped trying. “It shows the integrity of the league,” Howe said.
Wednesday had to cope with losing their goalkeeper, Keiren Westwood, to a calf injury in the warm-up, which meant that there was a rare start for Kirkland, and also saw Sam Hutchinson limp off in the 15th minute.
Yet Stuart Gray’s canny side preyed on Bournemouth’s nerves and they took the lead in the 36th minute, the unmarked Kieran Lee meeting Buxton’s fine cross from the right with a firm header.
Bournemouth were flat and Wednesday almost doubled their lead early when Maguire’s free-kick hit the right post.
That escape gave Bournemouth fresh belief and they equalised in the 69th minute, Yann Kermorgant heading Ritchie’s cross past Kirkland.
Then Bournemouth lost Francis. Already cautioned for a foul on Lloyd Isgrove, he clattered into Maguire and received his second booking. But more drama was on the way. Harry Arter tapped a free-kick to Ritchie and it is just as well that the net was there to stop his shot before it took someone’s head off behind the goal.
Yet there was one last twist.
