Football: Bournemouth push 10-man Middlesbrough to brink of relegation

Bournemouth's English midfielder Charlie Daniels celebrates after scoring their fourth goal. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (REUTERS) - Bournemouth boosted their chances of staying in the Premier League with a crushing 4-0 win over 10-man Middlesbrough that pushed their opponents towards the relegation precipice on Saturday (April 22).

Middlesbrough, who have not won in 16 league games, had a nightmare opening 20 minutes in which they conceded two goals and had midfielder Gaston Ramirez sent off for a second booking.

Bournemouth, who ended a run of four league games without a win, were ahead after 96 seconds with Joshua King's 11th goal in 13 matches and two up when Benik Afobe punished more slack Boro defending from Charlie Daniels' through ball in the 16th minute.

The visitors, with Ramirez already booked for a dive in the Cherries' box, had the Uruguayan sent off after 20 minutes for a lunging tackle on winger Marc Pugh.

Pugh marked his 250th league game for Bournemouth with their third in the 65th and Daniels added the fourth five minutes later.

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