The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter/BBC
ZIMBABWE international winger Jordan Zemura is basking in glory after his side, Bournemouth, won promotion into the English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday night.
Zemura won the free-kick that resulted in Bournemouth’s solitary strike, which ensured a memorable win against Nottingham Forest, and sealed automatic promotion into the EPL for the Cherries.
Substitute Kieffer Moore scored the late winner with a cool finish after a low free-kick found him unmarked in the box.
Moore, a January arrival from Cardiff, who has managed to make just three substitute appearances because of injury, was smothered by jubilant team-mates as they knew a win against their closest challengers would end a two-year top-flight absence.
They return to the Premier League under manager Scott Parker, who celebrates his second promotion in three campaigns, having taken Fulham up in 2019-20 before leaving the west London club for Bournemouth following relegation last season.
The showdown between second and third in the Championship, while lacking the hype and pageantry of a play-off final, felt every bit the high-stakes encounter that makes the Wembley showpiece the richest game in club football.
In an absorbing and tense first half, Forest striker Sam Surridge hit the crossbar and had a strong penalty appeal ignored after an incorrect offside flag against him.
The forward was brought down by goalkeeper Mark Travers as he tried to round him, but the foul was waved away as the flag was already up.
After the match, Forest boss Steve Cooper told BBC Radio Nottingham that referee Stuart Attwell and his assistant apologised for the mistake.
“They have put their hands up and owned up to a huge error,” he said. “It doesn’t really help, but at least they had the courtesy to own up to the decision that they made.”
The visitors created little in a second half dominated by the Cherries, with Dominic Solanke hitting the side netting, while Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony tested Reds goalkeeper Brice Samba.
When Zemura was brought down on the edge of the area, Billing appeared to be ready to go directly for goal.
Instead, he spotted Moore free in the box to sweep home a goal that propelled the hosts back to the Premier League and sparked a party atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium, which saw ecstatic home fans spill onto the pitch at full-time.
