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Pundits praise Cherries forwards' finishing in 'boxing match' at United

The French striker, appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday night football, lauded both Evanilson and Junior Kroupi for their goals in a game which presenter David Jones described as a ‘boxing match’.

Giroud admitted he missed playing in the Premier League for just that kind of game, with the match arguably the game of the season so far.

Jones praised both teams for how they traded blows, and said United “couldn’t shake Bournemouth off”, no matter how well they played.

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The pundits did highlight Djordje Petrovic’s mistake to not save Casemiro’s header from a corner in first half stoppage time as a “bad mistake” to see United lead 2-1 at the interval.

Giroud, Jones and Jamie Carragher particularly praised Bournemouth’s start to the second half, as they equalised to make it 2-2 within a minute of the resumption.

Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Jones said: “2-1 at halftime and 37 seconds into the second half, when we were wondering what Bournemouth's response would be, we found out what a brilliant response, Olivier.”

Giroud responded: “Because they stay in the game. They believe in themselves and always put pressure. You can see how compact the team are, is coming high altogether and they get the ball.

“It's quite simple and efficient. They get the ball back, three seconds later they are in the box.”

On Evanilson, who scored his first goal since August, Giroud said: “It looks like [a striker] in full confidence, he made a good run.

“The pass is in a good timing, in a good space and he finished well from the left foot. So I'm happy for him because I know how tough it is, like in a period where you don't score.”

They praised Alex Jimenez for his tenacity and Kroupi for his touch and finish to draw the Cherries level at 4-4.

Giroud said: “Most of the time control is so important, especially when you're turning.

“Time his pace to finish in the box. But the fighting spirit [of Jimenez], if I can say of one time, two times, and then see he almost lost the ball, but last touch, he just flicked it to the striker.”

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