Bournemouth thrash Forest 5-0 to extend unbeaten run

Bournemouth thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 to extend a club record unbeaten Premier League run to 11 games at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

The Cherries came in off the back of a stunning 4-1 win at Newcastle United, while Forest had been the league’s surprise package as they rose to third place in the table.

However, Bournemouth led by Dango Ouattara’s hat-trick, with a performance of the highest quality to take Forest’s usually miserly rearguard apart to cement manager Andoni Iraola brilliant performance in the league so far.

Justin Kluivert’s 11th league goal of the campaign – and only his second at home – gave Bournemouth the lead after nine minutes when he took advantages of four Forest defenders standing off him to beat keeper Matz Sels from 25 yards.

Forest’s hopes of a recovery were extinguished early in the second half when Bournemouth hit top gear, Ouattara heading home Kluivert’s cross after 55 minutes then driving home the third six minutes later.

As Forest fell apart under Bournemouth’s barrage, the usual reliable Sels fumbled Marcus Tavernier’s shot to gift Ouattara his third, then Antoine Semenyo finished off a solo run for the fifth in stoppage time.

Bournemouth’s fans sang loud and long about a “European tour” as they turned on the style to embarrass a Forest side who have been talked about as contenders in the title race.

And who can blame them on this evidence as Forest followed Newcastle in being taken apart in a fast-flowing, creative and goal-laden performance from Iraola’s team?

Ouattara will rightly claim the headlines for his hat-trick, but the Cherries had stars all over the pitch, with Kluivert a creator and scorer and Semenyo getting late reward for all his endeavour with a goal.

Iraola’s team are meticulously coached, energetic in midfield and uncompromising at the back, aided by the experience of Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.

Forest went the same way as big names such as Arsenal and Manchester City before them – and Bournemouth will present leaders Liverpool with a stern test as the next visitors to the vibrant Vitality Stadium.