Third-place Nottingham Forest lost to Bournemouth 5-0 on Saturday, their first defeat in nine league games, thanks to a hat-trick from Dango Ouattara.
As Bournemouth’s league winning streak reached 11 games and they temporarily moved up to sixth place in the standings, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo each scored one goal.
Dutch forward Kluivert, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United the previous weekend, came charging out of his own half in the ninth minute and smashed a shot past a diving Matz Sels to give the home team an early lead.
A minute later, Forest nearly equalised, but Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Chelsea loanee custodian for Bournemouth, made a diving save to block Ryan Yates’ dipping volley.
Ryan Christie and Semenyo attempted to equalise, but Sels made consecutive stops on the other end.
Shortly after halftime, Forest had another chance, but Arrizabalaga made a reaction save to keep the home team ahead by tipping away Nikola Milenkovic’s header.
Soon after, Bournemouth extended their advantage in the 55th minute when Ouattara jumped over Forest defender Murillo to head in Kluivert’s lofted cross.
Three minutes later, Kluivert scored, but the VAR ruled him offside, and jeers broke out throughout the Dean Court.
Shortly after the hour, however, Ouattara’s goal past Sels into the bottom corner gave the home team a 3-0 lead, and the Bournemouth supporters cheered once again.
After Selz failed to stop Marcus Travernier, a substitute, the Burkina Faso international scored from close range to complete his hat-trick in the 87th minute.
In extra time, Semenyo added his name to the scoresheet as well, finishing off the resounding triumph by tapping in from Travernier’s pass.
Next Saturday, Nottingham Forest hosts Brighton & Hove Albion, while Bournemouth hosts league leaders Liverpool.
