Daniel Jebbison made a huge impact off the bench to secure a late winner for Cherries as they came from behind to defeat Champions League Girona 3-2 at Vitality Stadium. This victory was a positive end to pre-season for Cherries, who saw Justin Kluivert, Luis Sinisterra, and Jebbison find the back of the net.
The match saw some changes in the starting lineup for Cherries, with Kluivert making his first appearance in pre-season and Philip Billing starting as a forward. Girona, who suffered a 4-0 loss to Newcastle United in a friendly the day before, made nine changes to their starting XI.
Cherries dominated early on, with Ryan Christie coming close to scoring within minutes. Kluivert broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box. Despite missed chances from Kluivert and Sinisterra, Girona managed to equalize through Cristhian Stuani.
The second half saw both teams make changes, with Girona taking the lead with a spectacular long-range goal from Joel Roca. However, Cherries responded quickly, with Sinisterra heading in an equalizer. Jebbison then secured the win with a tap-in just minutes after coming on.
The victory means Cherries finished their pre-season unbeaten, setting a positive tone ahead of their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest. The match also marked the departure of Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur, adding to the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season.
Overall, it was a thrilling and eventful game for Cherries, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience in securing a late victory against a tough opponent like Girona. The performance of players like Jebbison, Kluivert, and Sinisterra bodes well for Cherries as they look ahead to the challenges of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
