Match ends, Coventry City 1, Bournemouth 3.
AFC Bournemouth moved to the top of the Championship, albeit temporarily at least, with victory over 10-man Coventry City in a feisty encounter at St Andrews.
Jefferson Lerma and two second-half goals by Dan Gosling secured the win, after a first-half equaliser from Coventry striker Matt Godden from the penalty spot.
City's chief playmaker Gustavo Hamer was sent off following a scuffle with Bournemouth skipper Steve Cook, who was booked after a naughty challenge from Adam Smith on Fakanty Dabo, but by that stage they already trailed 3-1.
This was a largely comfortable display from the Cherries, who have now won three and drawn one of their opening four games in the second tier following relegation.
Coventry, also back in the division after promotion as League One champions, caused problems in flashes but were unable to create the chances to truly trouble keeper Asmir Begovic.
Promotion is a major ambition for Jason Tindall's south coast side and they showed that intent early on the trip to the West Midlands, as Lerma slammed home from the edge of the box to cement their early dominance.
Dominic Solanke was then denied by goalkeeper Marko Marosi and Dominic Hyam as the visitors continued to press, only for Bournemouth to have their lead wiped out before the break.
Shortly after Callum O'Hare brushed the post with a rare opportunity for the Sky Blues, Ben Sheaf was felled in the box by Lewis Cook and Godden stepped to fire an unlikely equaliser from the spot.
The Cherries cranked up a gear after half-time and stamped their authority with a double from Gosling.
The former Everton and Newcastle midfielder finished off Solanke's saved shot from close range, and then won a 50-50 with Hamer before thundering a low 25-yard shot cleanly past Marosi.
Any hopes of clawing their way back into the game ended when Hamer lashed out at Cook, despite neither player being involved in the initial challenge, leaving Bournemouth to cruise their way to victory without further incident.
Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR: "Against a team that's just come down from the Premier League it was an eyeopener for everybody.
"You know you're going to come up against players and teams in this league that are better and tonight was one of those nights.
[On Gustavo Hamer's red card] "The sending off didn't do us any favours. Having said that I think it's a really harsh sending off and a harsh lesson for Gus.
"I don't know what the referee's thinking is. He's touched his face. As soon as you do that, it makes the referee make a decision."
Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall told BBC Radio Solent: "I thought it was a good all-round performance.
"We got off to a good start and we pressed very well for the majority of the game and we created a number of chances.
"I'm just disappointed we didn't score a couple more goals.
[On the red card] "I didn't have a real clear view of it but if you raise your hands towards someone's face it's decision the referee has to make.
"It almost played into our hands and made the game a little more comfortable."
Line-ups
Coventry
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Marosi
- 2ØstigardBooked at 24minsSubstituted forRoseat 45'minutes
- 5McFadzean
- 15Hyam
- 23Dabo
- 38HamerBooked at 69mins
- 14Sheaf
- 18GilesSubstituted forMcCallumat 87'minutes
- 11O'Hare
- 26ShipleySubstituted forAllenat 45'minutes
- 24Godden
Substitutes
- 4Rose
- 6Kelly
- 8Allen
- 19Walker
- 20Bakayoko
- 21McCallum
- 31Billson
Bournemouth
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Begovic
- 17Stacey
- 6Mepham
- 3S CookBooked at 69mins
- 21RicoSubstituted forSimpsonat 84'minutes
- 15A SmithBooked at 68mins
- 8Lerma
- 16L CookSubstituted forBillingat 77'minutes
- 4GoslingBooked at 73minsSubstituted forOfoborhat 90'minutes
- 14Surridge
- 9Solanke
Substitutes
- 7Brooks
- 23Travers
- 24Ofoborh
- 25Simpson
- 29Billing
- 32Anthony
- Referee:
- Jarred Gillett
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home37%
- Away63%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away19
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away10
- Corners
- Home1
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Coventry City 1, Bournemouth 3.
Substitution
Substitution, Bournemouth. Nnamdi Ofoborh replaces Dan Gosling.
Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Sam McCallum replaces Ryan Giles.
Post update
Corner, Bournemouth. Conceded by Michael Rose.
Substitution
Substitution, Bournemouth. Jack Simpson replaces Diego Rico.
Substitution
Substitution, Bournemouth. Philip Billing replaces Lewis Cook.
Post update
Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Callum O'Hare (Coventry City).
Booking
Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Dan Gosling (Bournemouth).
Post update
Callum O'Hare (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Callum O'Hare (Coventry City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Dominic Hyam with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Booking
Steve Cook (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card.
Dismissal
Gustavo Hamer (Coventry City) is shown the red card for violent conduct.
Booking
Adam Smith (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Adam Smith (Bournemouth).
Post update
Fankaty Dabo (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Sam Surridge (Bournemouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Diego Rico.
Post update
Foul by Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth).