DANIEL Jebbison came off the bench to find the net as Cherries battled back from behind to beat Champions League Girona 3-2 at Vitality Stadium.
The big news of the day came a few hours before kick-off, with confirmation talismanic striker Dominic Solanke had completed his move to Tottenham Hotspur.
But Cherries at least gave their fans some good news to cheer, ending pre-season with victory thanks to goals from Justin Kluivert, Luis Sinisterra and summer signing Jebbison.
It means Andoni Iraola’s men have gone through their whole schedule of fixtures this summer unbeaten, ahead of their Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Iraola made four changes from the side which started against Rayo Vallecano the previous weekend. Among the starters were Kluivert, making his first appearance of pre-season, while midfielder Philip Billing started up front.
Girona lost 4-0 in a friendly at Newcastle United less than 24 hours earlier and made nine changes to their starting XI.
And the Spanish side looked leggy from the off, Cherries’ high press causing a world of problems.
Ryan Christie almost broke the deadlock inside the opening couple of minutes, his diving header well saved by Juan Carlos.
But the Scot got the better of the veteran goalkeeper soon after. Christie skipped past a defender before being tripped by a sliding Juan Carlos and referee Yusuke Araki instantly pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Kluivert, who calmly converted from 12 yards to break the deadlock.
Kluivert and Luis Sinisterra could not convert from decent openings as Girona struggled to contain Cherries during the early stages.
Marcos Senesi was then denied by another superb reaction stop from Juan Carlos, before Billing found the net, only for his effort to be ruled out having fouled Oriol Romeu in the build-up.
Some sloppiness crept in from the hosts and, as the game began to drift, the La Liga outfit equalised.
Shortly after former Southampton midfielder Romeu had seen a header cleared off the line, Girona got back on level terms. Captain Cristhian Stuani, the ex-Middlesbrough man, showed composure in the box to cut inside Illia Zabarnyi and fire low beyond Mark Travers.
Sinisterra had a goal ruled out before the half was out, but the hosts were forced into a change with a bloodied Senesi replaced by Dean Huijsen. The Argentine suffered a clash of heads with Romeu and was heavily bandaged as he walked off the pitch.
Iraola made another change at the break, taking off Billing for Marcus Tavernier and moving Antoine Semenyo into the centre-forward position.
Girona’s Michel Sanchez also made a change, bringing on Joel Roca, who quickly put Girona ahead in spectacular fashion. The 19-year-old took aim from at least 30 yards, his low shot flashing into the bottom corner.
Cherries looked for a quick response, both Milos Kerkez and Christie firing over the bar having won the ball high up the pitch.
Iraola made two more changes midway through the second half and one quickly made an impact. Dango Ouattara provided the cross, which was well met in the centre by Sinisterra to head home.
Semenyo almost put Cherries in the lead immediately afterwards, but Juan Carlos was quick to react and make the stop.
But the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Jebbison from finding the net, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute. The young striker tapped in at the back post after great work by fellow sub Romain Faivre to tee him up.
Jaidon Anthony and Ouattara went close to adding to the tally late on, but could not quite find the net.
Cherries: Travers (Dennis, 77); Smith (Hill, 77), Zabarnyi, Senesi (Huijsen, 43), Kerkez (Aarons, 67); Christie (Faivre, 77), Scott (Cook, 77); Semenyo (Jebbison, 77), Kluivert (Ouattara, 67), Sinisterra (Anthony, 77); Billing (Tavernier, h-t).
Booked: Scott.
Girona: Juan Carlos; Chaira, Yaakobishvili, Juanpe, Martinez (Clua, 59); Romeu (Kim, 73), Solis (Martin, 59); Almena, Misehouy (Frances, 80), Urena (Roca, h-t); Stuani.
Unused subs: Lopez, Frances, Blind, Gil, Herrera, Puig (g/k), Gazzaniga (g/k).
Booked: Roca, Stuani.
Referee: Yusuke Araki.
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