Sunday 28 September 2014 20:53, UK
Eddie Howe heaped praise on Yann Kermorgant after the striker inspired Bournemouth to a 2-0 victory over Wigan at Dean Court.
Kermorgant headed in a delivery from Matt Ritchie eight minutes from half-time, before returning a pass from Simon Francis, who slotted in to confirm the three points on 70 minutes.
"Yann's a big player for us," Howe said. "We need Yann Kermorgant fit and firing and at the top of his game because if he is, we are a very different side.
"I'm very pleased he has got his goal, hopefully it will do him the world of good and he can kick on from here. He is so good with his head, you want to see him in the box a little bit more really."
Kermorgant had earlier been denied by an excellent one-handed save from Wigan keeper Scott Carson after twisting into space in the area and curling a shot goalwards.
Wigan manager Uwe Rosler said he felt "personally embarrassed" by the result.
"We did not have the power and the belief that we can score goals," he said. "We lack in confidence to move the ball quick.
"I am not a person to shy away from the responsibilities. In public, I will take the flack. Internally, there will be some things mentioned but we keep that internally. I think that is the best thing.
"Publicly, I take responsibility for the results and when people have a go, and I think there will be a few now."
Wigan rarely threatened going forward, but Ivan Ramis headed a corner onto the roof of the net on 27 minutes. Emyr Huws earlier wasted a promising opportunity on 20 minutes, cutting into space from the right before blazing his effort high and wide.
Callum Wilson had a superb opportunity to double Bournemouth's lead on the counter attack in the 59th minute, but was forced wide after his initial effort was blocked by a last-ditch sliding challenge from Ramis and Wigan cleared at the second attempt.
Rosler looked to propel some impetus into his side with a double substitution in the 66th minute, replacing Robert Kiernan and Martyn Waghorn with Leon Barnett and Oreil Riera, but it was to no avail.
Four minutes after the swap, they were undone by an intricate passing move.
Wilson dummied Francis' pass, letting it run into the feet of Kermorgant, who returned the ball to the onrushing Francis, and the defender tucked the ball underneath Carson first time to secure Bournemouth's first league win in seven games.
"It is typical of Simon, I think he has been excellent for us all season. He attacks so well, but he also defends so well and he shows great desire to make those runs," Howe said.
