Scott Parker hails Bournemouth reaction to FA Cup loss after win over Birmingham

Bournemouth manager Scott Parker felt his side proved a point after bouncing back from their humiliating FA Cup defeat to Boreham Wood with a 3-1 win over Birmingham.

Goals from Ryan Christie, Dominic Solanke – his 20th of the season – and Jaidon Anthony – saw the Cherries climb back up to second place in the Championship table.

The hosts were given a scare when Onel Hernandez briefly reduced the deficit to 2-1 two minutes after Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma had been sent off.

Parker said: “I thought in the first half we looked every bit of a top side.

“I asked my players to give us a reaction and give the fans a reaction to what happened on Sunday and I thought in the first half we were exceptional.

“Two at half time could easily have been three or four.

“The second half changed the game but even after they scored we showed big character to score and make it 3-1. That gave us a bit of oxygen and from there we had to hold on.

“I am very pleased with the result and the reaction of the team because after Sunday the players were broken a little bit and disappointed.

“They proved a point tonight.”

Christie opened the scoring in the 17th minute by tucking in Philip Billing’s cross from close range.

The hosts doubled their lead 14 minutes before half-time with Christie this time the provider.

Christie played in Solanke with a precise slide-rule pass and the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker fired into the bottom corner with an unerring first-time finish.

The game threatened to turn on its head after a mad two minutes in which Bournemouth had Lerma sent off and Birmingham pulled a goal back.

Lerma was shown a straight red card in the 67th minute for a late lunge on Blues substitute Hernandez, who promptly fired home