West Brom 1 - Bournemouth 2: Raging Pulis slams reckless McClean as Cherries come on top

Daniels put Bournemouth 2-0 ahead with a smashing penalty in the second half

 

IRISHMAN James McClean branded Jurgen Klopp ‘thick’ last weekend.

 

Well it was case of ‘look who’s talking’ after the West Brom loose cannon received a straight red only 34 minutes into this bad-tempered clash.

No doubt Liverpool boss Klopp will have a quiet chuckle to himself when he sees the wild lunge that sent Bournemouth’s Adam Smith flying, leaving referee Mike Dean no choice but to send him off.

Should we be surprised? Probably not, given Baggies manager Tony Pulis claimed McClean was ‘not the sharpest tool in the box’ following a confrontation with Sunderland fans.

 

It’s highly doubtful, though, the Welshman, who also had Salomon Rondon dismissed for a headbutt at the death, will be so kind when he catches up with the bad boy this week as the red card cost them dear.

Pulis was fuming afterwards. He said: “It was a reckless challenge by McClean and I can’t condone that. “But the disappointing thing is 30 seconds earlier Smith had gone over the top on McClean and the ref didn’t do anything. McClean couldn’t let it go. The second sending off was crazy, reckless, stupid.”

 

Smith, who was unfairly booed by the home fans, took revenge on his tormentors by firing Bournemouth ahead.

And, though Gareth McAuley’s glancing effort appeared to have rescued a point for Albion, the south coast club were not to be denied with Charlie Daniels’  late penalty proving decisive.

Delighted boss Eddie Howe said: “I’m so pleased with our character because when they equalised they had the momentum.”